Hey friend! Are The Witcher Books Worth Reading After Bingeing the Show?
I get it – you crushed the entire first two seasons of Netflix‘s epic fantasy series The Witcher over one weekend. Now you can‘t get enough of Henry Cavill‘s grumpy monster hunter Geralt of Rivia and are itching for more adventures in The Continent.
You may be wondering: should I pick up Andrzej Sapkowski‘s original Witcher book saga that started it all next? Or are the books not even worth it after watching the amazing show?
As a huge fan who‘s eagerly devoured both the books and show, I‘m here to give you the lowdown. Keep reading for my take on whether diving into Sapkowski‘s novels is worth your precious time post-Netflix binge!
The Witcher Books – Quickneed-to-Knows
Before we weigh the pros and cons, here‘s a crash course on the Witcher books if you‘re unfamiliar:
- The saga was written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski and first published in the 1990s
- It consists of two short story collections (The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny) and five novels (Blood of Elves, Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, Lady of the Lake)
- Total page count tops 3,000 pages – so it‘s a serious reading commitment!
- The books were translated into multiple languages as the series grew in popularity, especially after the release of the CD Projekt Red video games
- Over 33 million copies of the books have been sold worldwide to date
- The books are beloved by fantasy fans and considered Sapkowski‘s masterpiece
So in a nutshell – these books represent the OG Witcher story that started the whole franchise on its path to total domination.
Next let‘s look at…
How the Show and Books Are Different
The Netflix show sticks relatively close to Sapkowski‘s overarching story. But some key differences change the feel of the saga:
- The show timeline jumps around – The books use a linear chronology
- New original characters and subplots – Like Dara, Cahir, Fringilla
- Different dynamics – Such as Geralt/Ciri‘s early bond
- Condensed worldbuilding – To fit the TV format
In my opinion, these changes streamline the complex storyline for television, but also lose some of the depth and nuance of Sapkowski‘s writing.
3 Reasons You Should Absolutely Read the Books
Even after watching Henry Cavill slay monsters on-screen, the books are still 100% worth a read. Here are a few compelling reasons why:
1. Way More Depth and Complexity
A common criticism of the show is that key characters like Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri aren‘t as complex as in the books.
Over 3,000 pages, Sapkowski devote a ton of time to developing the motivations, personalities, and relationships between characters.
For example:
- We learn way more about Geralt‘s backstory as an outcast witcher
- Yennefer‘s twisted past and desperation to have a child drive her actions
- Ciri‘s internal struggles with her Elder Blood powers are explored deeply
The books add so many layers to these characters.
2. Fully Immersive Worldbuilding
Sapkowski‘s world of The Continent is regarded as one of fantasy‘s greatest.
The books construct an incredibly rich setting through extensive lore about:
- The history of the Northern Kingdoms vs Nilfgaard
- Legends of ancient elves, gnomes, and dwarves
- The dark powers behind magic and monsters
As a made-for-TV adaptation, the show simply can‘t match the scope and detail of the books‘ worldbuilding.
3. More Monster Action & Witcher Tales
Honestly, one of the best parts of The Witcher universe is Geralt facing off against unique, terrifying beasts.
The books deliver this in spades, with stories like:
- Geralt vs a Devil in the Last Wish short story
- Fighting a Zeugl and leshen in Sword of Destiny
- Battling a golden dragon in Time of Contempt
If you can‘t get enough Witcher monster battles after season 2‘s dao fight, the novels will satisfy your craving for more action.
Potential Downsides of the Books
Look the books aren‘t perfect – here are a few possible negatives after watching the show:
- Dense writing – Over 3,000 pages means a big time commitment
- No visuals – You have to imagine the epic fight scenes
- Dated sections – Some short stories are 30+ years old now
- Slower pace at times – Later novels get very convoluted
And you‘ll sorely miss Henry Cavill‘s perfect video game-style Geralt.
But in my view, none of these downsides outweighed the positives…
Verdict: The Books Are 100% Worth Reading
For me, the deeper characterization, worldbuilding, action and original storytelling make diving into Sapkowski‘s Witcher saga an absolute must after the show.
The books deliver the authentic, definitive take on Geralt‘s story. There are just some things that get lost in TV adaptation.
Consider the word counts:
- Season 1 script: 450 pages
- Entire book saga: Over 3,000 pages
That‘s a whole lot of original plot, dialogue, and detail you‘ll only get from the source material!
So I‘d strongly recommend picking up at least The Last Wish short stories ASAP after finishing. Get ready for a darker, grittier and more nuanced adventure back to The Continent.
It‘s a commitment, but with over 20 million enthusiastic Witcher book fans to date – you‘ll be in great company.
Happy reading friend! Let me know when you finish Book 1 – I‘d love to hear your thoughts.