Series: Tawny Man #1, Realm of the Elderlings #7
Published by Spectra Books on November 26, 2002
Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Pages: 672
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
For fifteen years FitzChivalry Farseer has lived in self-imposed exile, assumed to be dead by almost all who once cared about him. But now, into his isolated life, visitors begin to arrive: Fitz’s mentor from his assassin days; a hedge-witch who foresees the return of a long-lost love; and the Fool, the former White Prophet, who beckons Fitz to fulfill his destiny.
Then comes the summons he cannot ignore. Prince Dutiful, the young heir to the Farseer throne, has vanished. Fitz, possessed of magical skills both royal and profane, is the only one who can retrieve him in time for his betrothal ceremony, thus sparing the Six Duchies profound political embarrassment . . . or worse. But even Fitz does not suspect the web of treachery that awaits him—or how his loyalties will be tested to the breaking point.
Fool’s Errand continues Fitz’s adventures fifteen years after the events of the Farseer Trilogy. Now thirty-five years old, Fitz has forgotten how to pursue happiness and is now living from day to day, season to season, much like a wolf.
This first installment of the Tawny Man Trilogy (and 7th book set in the Elderling Realm) addresses issues that occur in the aftermath of the first trilogy. The primary conflict is that of Old Blood, who desire to live in peace, versus the Piebalds, who desire power and use Regal’s persecution of the Witted as a banner for their acts of terrorism. The secondary conflicts are many and, for the most part, address Fitz’s insecurities and mixed feelings about returning to the political center of the Six Duchies. These secondary conflicts include: View Spoiler »
I enjoyed seeing how Fitz has matured and his struggles to find his place in a world that believes him to be dead. Once of the things I appreciate most about Fitz is that, though he’ll sacrifice himself to protect those he cares about, he lacks any desire for recognition. Because the Farseer Trilogy really delved into his character, I deeply empathized with Fitz’s reluctance to return to Buckkeep, and I hated how events push him back into court intrigue even as I rejoiced over the opportunity to read more of his adventures.
Robin Hobb is skilled at creating complex characters for whom my heart bleeds. Though there are characters whom it’d be easier to hate, and who play very minor roles in this book, Robin Hobb weaves them so skillfully into the world that I’m forced to understand their motives and why the path they take is the only logical course for them. In the end, I love these characters, and Fitz loves them and understands their reasons for what they do, which is why he takes their pain and suffers to do something about it.
After getting to know Fitz over the course of the Elderling books, it’s interesting, and somewhat humorous, to observe how the next generation perceives this legendary figure. While I’m looking forward to seeing what legendary feat Fitz accomplishes next, this series has always been, to me, about the man behind the legends. What I enjoy most about this book is examining Fitz’s relationship with the three children who are his yet not his (in different ways) and how he struggles to reconcile who they are with who is was and is.
Can I read this without Liveship Traders?
It’s possible to read this without having read the Liveship Traders Trilogy, which takes places between the Farseer Trilogy and Tawny Man Trilogy. I skipped Liveship Traders because I was so eager to return to Fitz’s life. However, I wouldn’t recommend doing so. I feel like I missed out on a lot of the political subtext that had been set up in Liveship Traders. It might have also helped me understand the Fool better since he’s a side character in the books.
Content
Language / vulgarities
Sex
Violence
Chat With Me
Have you read the Farseer trilogy or any other books by Robin Hobb? What are your thoughts on the reluctant hero?
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