The First Law
Since the 2006 publication ofThe Blade Itself, the first entry in the First Law trilogy,Joe Abercrombie has been intent on deconstructing the modern fantasy genre. In contrast to traditional (read: Tolkienesque) fantasy, the world of theFirst Law is characterized not by lofty ideals, but by politicking and the pursuit of power, all of which is more commonly referred to as “grimdark.” In this, Abercrombie follows in the footsteps of the modern forebear of dark fantasy, George R. R. Martin, he ofA Song of Ice and Fire.
And, like A Song of Ice and Fire, there’s blood. Lots of it.
Red Country is a “standalone” entry in Abercrombie’sFirst Lawworld, set approximately 10 to 15 years after the close of the original trilogy.Red Countryis preceded chronologically, both in publication and in plot, byBest Served Cold (2009) andThe Heroes(2011). It’s not necessary to have read Abercrombie’s other novels to followRed Country, but a number of the characters are recurring, so some familiarity is implied.
Red Country (2012)
Abercrombie continues in Red Country the experimentation he began withBest Served Cold, which is a revenge story, andThe Heroes, which, in contrast to traditional fantasy, condenses its activity to a single battle that takes place over just a few days. (And in which is introduced the best-named character ever, “Stranger-Come-Knocking.”) Here Abercrombie tackles the Western genre, but the results are less successful than were his previous standalone novels.
UK Cover
The story opens with the destruction of Shy South’s family farm and the abductionof her younger brother and sister. Shy and her stepfather, the cowardly Lamb, set off in pursuit of the kidnappers. Meanwhile, on the geopolitical scale, the Union is in pursuit of rebels who have taken refuge in “the Near Country,” where Shy and Lamb reside. The Union employs infamous mercenary Nicomo Cosca, familiar to readers from previous novels, and his right hand and lawyer, Temple, to wreak havoc throughout the Near Country, ostensibly to root out the rebels, but really in anticipation of the possible annexation of the frontier. The main plots, of course, are destined to collide.
Red Countrybeginsenergetically, economicallyintroducing Shyand Lamb and setting up their quest, the recovery of Shy’s younger sister and brother, Ro and Pit. Lamb abandons his passive demeanor and soon, in a (typically) brutal scene set in a saloon, reveals his capacity for epic violence. Readers familiar with theFirst Law world will find something…strangely familiar…about Lamb….
That sense of familiarity, which often works so well in Abercrombie’s novels, is less effective inRed Country. Nicomo Cosca, for instance, first introduced in the original trilogy, and employed to great effect inBest Served Cold, here becomes something of a parody of himself. Abercrombie uses Caul Shivers, one of the main characters ofBest Served Cold, to play with the Western trope of the “showdown.” But Shivers’s appearance is essentially a cameo and, as a result, feels forced. My sense is that a host of other minor characters reappear inRed Country, but I’m not quite sure; the sprawling nature of fantasy, with its dense tomes and casts of thousands, works against me here. Readers will forgive me for an impression that might not be true. (But it felt that way.)
US Cover
The plot is comprised of a variety of intersecting storylines that come together and are held that way mainly through battle scenes. That’s not entirely a surprise, given Abercrombie’s predilection for violence. It all feels a bit forced, though. In reading Red Country, I could never quite shake the sense that it’s the bridge to the next trilogy. It has the feeling of a placeholder: Abercrombie advances his geopolitics, as he did inBest Served Cold andThe Heroes, but nothing definitive happens. A few new characters are introduced, for instance Shy and Temple, but few significant changes are made. There is some redemption and just rewards,neither of which I’ll spoil here by going into detail.
All of which raises the question: Should you readRed Country? If, like me, you’re an avowed Abercrombie fan, then by all means, yes. I’ve always enjoyed Abercrombie’s prose, which I’ll describe as “earthy,” and his dialog is, as always, snappy.Red Country will meet, but likely not exceed, your expectations, and it lacks some of the energy of Abercrombie’s previous novels. If you haven’t read anything by Abercrombie before, begin with his first novel,The Blade Itself, or his young adult series,Shattered Sea. But, by all means, readingsomething by Abercrombie.
Similar books:
- If you’re curious about Abercrombie but prefer less grim in your fantasy, try Half a King
- If (for some reason) you think Abercrombie isn’t grimdarkenough, consider the sociopathic The Iron Wolves by Andy Remic
- For more traditional fantasy fare, see Scott Lynch’sGentleman Bastards series, the third volume of which is The Republic of Thieves
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the fantasy genre, particularly the works of Joe Abercrombie, allow me to delve into the intricate web of concepts and themes presented in the article about "Red Country" and the broader context of Abercrombie's First Law trilogy.
The author, Joe Abercrombie, has been a prominent figure in fantasy literature since the publication of "The Blade Itself" in 2006. His notable intention to deconstruct the modern fantasy genre is evident throughout the First Law trilogy. The key departure from traditional fantasy, often influenced by Tolkien, is the shift from lofty ideals to a focus on politicking, power dynamics, and a gritty realism, commonly termed as "grimdark."
Abercrombie follows in the footsteps of George R. R. Martin, known for "A Song of Ice and Fire," in introducing a world where moral ambiguity prevails, and the pursuit of power comes with a heavy cost, often marked by copious amounts of bloodshed.
"Red Country" is a standalone entry in the First Law world, positioned chronologically after the original trilogy. It experiments with different narrative styles, continuing the author's exploration that began with "Best Served Cold" and "The Heroes." In "Red Country," Abercrombie tackles the Western genre, introducing characters like Shy South and her stepfather Lamb.
The narrative unfolds with the destruction of Shy South's family farm and the abduction of her siblings. Simultaneously, on a geopolitical scale, the Union pursues rebels in the Near Country, employing infamous mercenaries like Nicomo Cosca. The storylines eventually converge, characterized by Abercrombie's signature violent and action-packed scenes.
However, the article suggests that "Red Country" might be less successful than Abercrombie's previous standalone novels. The sense of familiarity with recurring characters, such as Nicomo Cosca and Caul Shivers, is noted, with the latter playing with Western tropes in what is described as a forced cameo.
The plot is comprised of intersecting storylines held together mainly through battle scenes, a characteristic feature given Abercrombie's predilection for violence. Despite the energetic start, the article contends that "Red Country" feels somewhat forced and serves as a potential bridge to the next trilogy, advancing geopolitics but lacking definitive developments.
The question posed to readers is whether they should read "Red Country." For dedicated Abercrombie fans, the recommendation is affirmative, with an acknowledgment that it might not exceed expectations and lacks some of the energy of his previous works. For newcomers, starting with "The Blade Itself" or the Shattered Sea series is suggested.
The article also provides recommendations for readers interested in similar books, such as "Half a King" for those preferring less grim fantasy, "The Iron Wolves" by Andy Remic for those seeking a more intense grimdark experience, and Scott Lynch's "Gentleman Bastards" series for a more traditional fantasy fare.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive exploration of Joe Abercrombie's "Red Country," touching on key themes, character dynamics, narrative structure, and the overall reading experience, making it a valuable guide for both avid fans and potential readers alike.
