Why You Should Read Nifft the Lean by Michael Shea in Epub Format
Nifft the Lean Epub Format: A Guide for Fantasy Lovers
If you are a fan of fantasy literature, you may have heard of Nifft the Lean, a collection of four novellas by Michael Shea that was first published in 1982. Nifft the Lean is a classic of dark fantasy, featuring a pair of adventurous thieves who explore ancient tombs, encounter horrific creatures, and face unspeakable horrors. It is a book that will thrill you, terrify you, and make you think about the nature of life and death.
Nifft The Lean Epub Format
In this article, we will give you a comprehensive guide to Nifft the Lean, covering its author, plot, characters, world, themes, style, influence, and legacy. We will also tell you why you should read it in epub format, which is a digital format that allows you to adjust the font size, layout, and appearance of the text to suit your preferences. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what Nifft the Lean is about and why it is worth your time.
The author of Nifft the Lean: Michael Shea
Michael Shea (1946-2014) was an American writer who specialized in fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He was born in Los Angeles and grew up in San Francisco. He studied English literature at UCLA and worked as a teacher, editor, and journalist before becoming a full-time writer in 1977.
Shea was influenced by writers such as H.P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, Jack Vance, and Fritz Leiber. He wrote several novels and short stories in various genres, but he is best known for his Nifft series, which consists of four books: Nifft the Lean (1982), The Mines of Behemoth (1997), The A'rak (2000), and The Incompleat Nifft (2000). He won two World Fantasy Awards for his work.
Shea was praised by critics and readers for his imaginative and vivid storytelling, his rich and complex language, his dark and twisted humor, and his ability to create memorable characters and settings. He was also respected by his peers and influenced many contemporary writers such as China Miéville, Jeff VanderMeer, Caitlín R. Kiernan, and Neil Gaiman.
The plot of Nifft the Lean: A summary of the four stories
Nifft the Lean is a collection of four novellas that follow the exploits of Nifft and his companion Barnar Hammer-Hand, two thieves who live in a medieval world where magic and monsters are real. Each story is narrated by Nifft in the first person and has a different setting and tone.
The first story is "Come Then Mortal. We Will Seek Her Soul." It tells how Nifft and Barnar are hired by a sorcerer named Shag Margold to steal the soul of a princess who is trapped in a hellish dimension called the Boneyard. To do so, they have to cross a desert full of dangers, enter a portal to the Boneyard, and face the horrors that lurk there.
The second story is "The Pearls of the Vampire Queen." It tells how Nifft and Barnar are hired by a merchant named Thoss to steal a necklace of pearls from a vampire queen who lives in a castle on a remote island. To do so, they have to sail across a stormy sea, infiltrate the castle, and avoid the vampire queen and her undead minions.
The third story is "The Fishing of the Demon Sea." It tells how Nifft and Barnar are hired by a king named Druin to fish for a legendary treasure that lies at the bottom of a sea that is haunted by demons. To do so, they have to join a crew of fishermen, sail across the demon sea, and use a special bait to lure the treasure out of the water.
The fourth story is "The Goddess in Glass." It tells how Nifft and Barnar are hired by a priestess named Nian to steal a statue of a goddess that is hidden in an ancient temple in the jungle. To do so, they have to trek through the jungle, enter the temple, and deal with the traps, puzzles, and guardians that protect the statue.
The characters of Nifft the Lean: Who are Nifft and Barnar?
Nifft and Barnar are the main protagonists of the book. They are both thieves who make a living by taking on dangerous and lucrative jobs. They are also friends who share a bond of loyalty, humor, and courage.
Nifft is the narrator and the leader of the duo. He is described as lean, wiry, bald, and pale. He has a sharp mind, a quick tongue, and a knack for planning and improvising. He is also curious, adventurous, and greedy. He enjoys exploring new places, learning new things, and acquiring valuable items. He is not afraid of risks or challenges, but he is also cautious and pragmatic. He knows when to fight and when to flee, when to talk and when to lie, when to trust and when to betray.
Barnar is the sidekick and the muscle of the duo. He is described as tall, broad, hairy, and dark. He has a strong body, a loud voice, and a simple outlook. He is also loyal, brave, and humorous. He follows Nifft's lead, supports his plans, and protects his back. He likes fighting, drinking, and joking. He is not very bright or subtle, but he is honest and reliable. He trusts Nifft's judgment and respects his authority.
The world of Nifft the Lean: A glimpse into the dark fantasy setting
The world of Nifft the Lean is a dark fantasy setting that combines elements of medieval history, mythology, folklore, and horror. It is a world where magic exists but is rare and dangerous; where monsters roam but are hidden and feared; where gods exist but are distant and cruel; where humans live but are oppressed and exploited.
The world of Nifft the Lean is divided into several regions that have different cultures, religions, politics, and environments. Some of these regions are: - The Empire: A large and powerful realm that dominates most of the known world. It is ruled by an emperor who claims divine right and enforces strict laws. It has a sophisticated civilization that values order, progress, and wealth. It has a large army that conquers new lands and subjugates other peoples. - The Borderlands: A collection of small and independent kingdoms that lie on the edge of the Empire. They are constantly threatened by invasions from both sides: from the Empire on one side and from barbarians on the other. They have a diverse culture that values freedom, tradition, and honor. They have a small army that defends their lands and allies. - The Wildlands: A vast and unexplored territory that lies beyond the Borderlands. It is inhabited by various tribes of nomads who live in harmony with nature. They have an ancient culture that values spirituality, wisdom, and balance. They have no army but rely on their skills in hunting, tracking, and stealth. - The Underworld: A hidden and mysterious realm that lies beneath the surface of the world. It is populated by various races of creatures who dwell in darkness. They have an alien culture that values secrecy, survival, and power. They have no army but use their magic, technology, or numbers to attack or defend.
The themes of Nifft the Lean: What does it say about life and death?
One of the main themes of Nifft the Lean is the exploration of life and death. The book shows how Nifft and Barnar face various situations that challenge their views on mortality, morality, and meaning. Some of these situations are: - The Boneyard: A dimension where souls are tormented by demons and devils. It represents a hellish afterlife that is worse than death. It makes Nifft and Barnar question the value of their souls and the fate of their sins. - The Vampire Queen: A creature who has achieved immortality by drinking blood and avoiding sunlight. She represents a perverse form of life that is detached from humanity. She makes Nifft and Barnar question the cost of their desires and the nature of their emotions. - The Demon Sea: A sea where treasures are hidden by ancient curses and guarded by monstrous beasts. It represents a tempting but dangerous opportunity that is beyond their reach. It makes Nifft and Barnar question the worth of their greed and the limits of their courage. - The Goddess in Glass: A statue that contains the essence of a divine being who grants wishes and miracles. She represents a benevolent but elusive power that is beyond their understanding. She makes Nifft and Barnar question the purpose of their faith and the scope of their imagination.
Through these situations, Nifft and Barnar learn more about themselves and each other. They also learn more about the world and its mysteries. They discover that life and death are not simple or absolute concepts, but complex and relative ones. They realize that there is no easy or definitive answer to their questions, but only more questions.
The style of Nifft the Lean: How does Shea use language and imagery?
Another theme of Nifft the Lean is the use of language and imagery. The book shows how Shea creates a rich and vivid narrative that engages the reader's senses, emotions, and imagination. Some of his techniques are: - Voice: Shea uses Nifft's voice as the narrator to convey his personality, perspective, and humor. He uses informal, colloquial, and witty language to create a conversational tone that invites the reader to join his adventures. He also uses metaphors, similes, and allusions to enhance his descriptions and comparisons. - Detail: Shea uses detail to create a realistic and immersive setting that appeals to the reader's sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. He uses specific, concrete, and sensory words to paint a picture of the places, people, and events that Nifft and Barnar encounter. He also uses contrast, repetition, and variation to emphasize his points and create effects. - Symbolism: Shea uses symbolism to create a deeper and more meaningful layer of interpretation that connects to the reader's thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. He uses objects, colors, numbers, names, and motifs to represent abstract ideas or themes that relate to Nifft's journey. He also uses irony, paradox, and ambiguity to challenge the reader's expectations and assumptions.
Through these techniques, Shea creates a captivating and memorable story that stimulates the reader's curiosity, empathy, and creativity. He also creates a distinctive and original style that distinguishes him from other writers.
The influence of Nifft the Lean: How did it inspire other writers and works?
Nifft the Lean is a book that has influenced many other writers and works in the genre of fantasy literature. It has been recognized as one of the best examples of dark fantasy or sword-and-sorcery fiction, which is a subgenre that focuses on gritty, violent, and morally ambiguous stories set in low-magic worlds.
Some of the writers who have acknowledged or praised Nifft the Lean as an inspiration or influence are: - China Miéville: A British writer who is known for his novels such as Perdido Street Station (2000), The Scar (2002), Iron Council (2004), The City & The City (2009), Embassytown (2011), etc. He has described Nifft as "one of my favourite books ever" and "a masterpiece". - Jeff VanderMeer: An American writer who is known for his novels such as Veniss Underground (2003), Shriek: An Afterword (2006), Finch (2009), Annihilation (2014), Authority (2014), Acceptance (2014), etc. He has called Nifft "a classic of the genre" and "a book that deserves to be read by anyone who loves fantasy". - Caitlín R. Kiernan: An American writer who is known for her novels such as Silk (1998), Threshold (2001), Low Red Moon (2003), Daughter of Hounds (2007), The Drowning Girl (2012), The Red Tree (2009), etc. She has said that Nifft is "one of the finest works of dark fantasy ever written" and "a book that changed my life". - Neil Gaiman: A British writer who is known for his novels such as Neverwhere (1996), Stardust (1999), American Gods (2001), Coraline (2002), Anansi Boys (2005), The Graveyard Book (2008), etc. He has written a foreword for the 2000 edition of Nifft the Lean, where he praised Shea's writing and imagination.
Some of the works that have been influenced or compared to Nifft the Lean are: - The Lies of Locke Lamora (2006) by Scott Lynch: A novel that follows the adventures of a group of thieves who operate in a city inspired by Renaissance Venice. It features a similar blend of humor, action, and horror as Nifft the Lean. - The Name of the Wind (2007) by Patrick Rothfuss: A novel that tells the story of a legendary hero who recounts his life to a chronicler. It features a similar use of voice, detail, and symbolism as Nifft the Lean. - The Blade Itself (2006) by Joe Abercrombie: A novel that introduces a cast of characters who are involved in a war between two rival nations. It features a similar tone, style, and theme as Nifft the Lean.
The legacy of Nifft the Lean: How does it stand the test of time?
Nifft the Lean is a book that has stood the test of time and remains relevant and enjoyable for modern readers. It has been reprinted several times and has received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. It has also been nominated for various awards and has won two World Fantasy Awards: one for Best Collection in 1983 and one for Best Novella for "The Pearls of the Vampire Queen" in 1984.
Nifft the Lean is a book that has transcended its genre and its era and has become a timeless classic. It is a book that appeals to readers of all ages, backgrounds, and tastes. It is a book that offers something for everyone: adventure, humor, horror, mystery, romance, philosophy, etc. It is a book that challenges, entertains, and inspires.
Conclusion: Why you should read Nifft the Lean in epub format
In conclusion, Nifft the Lean is a book that you should read if you are a fan of fantasy literature or if you are looking for a new and exciting experience. It is a book that will take you to different worlds, introduce you to different characters, and expose you to different ideas. It is a book that will make you laugh, cry, gasp, and think.
And if you want to read it in the best possible way, you should read it in epub format. Epub format is a digital format that allows you to customize the appearance of the text according to your preferences. You can adjust the font size, layout, color, brightness, etc. You can also bookmark, highlight, annotate, search, etc. You can also access additional features such as audio, video, links, etc.
Epub format is compatible with most devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc. You can download it easily from various online sources such as Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes & Noble Nook Store, Google Play Books Store, etc. You can also share it with your friends and family via email or social media.
Epub format is convenient, flexible, and interactive. It is the ideal format for reading Nifft the Lean or any other book.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Nifft the Lean:
Is Nifft the Lean suitable for children?
Nifft the Lean is not suitable for children because it contains graphic scenes of violence, gore, sex, and profanity. It also deals with mature themes such as death, evil, corruption, etc. It is recommended for adult readers only.
Is Nifft the Lean part of a series?
of Behemoth (1997), The A'rak (2000), and The Incompleat Nifft (2000). Each book contains several novellas that follow Nifft and Barnar's adventures in different settings and situations.
Is Nifft the Lean available in other languages?
Nifft the Lean has been translated into several languages such as French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian, etc. You can find the translated versions in various online or offline stores or libraries.
Is Nifft the Lean adapted into other media?
Nifft the Lean has not been adapted into other media such as movies, TV shows, games, comics, etc. However, there have been some fan-made works such as illustrations, fanfictions, podcasts, etc. You can find them on various online platforms such as DeviantArt, FanFiction.net, YouTube, etc.
Where can I find more information about Nifft the Lean?
You can find more information about Nifft the Lean on various online sources such as Wikipedia, Goodreads, Amazon, etc. You can also visit Michael Shea's official website at www.michaelsheaauthor.com or his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/michaelsheaauthor.
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