This is the first in a series of posts that celebrate my favorite fantasy, whether it be books, movies, comics, or cartoons. I’m starting out with one of my favorite series. Packed with humor and overflowing with creativity, Robert Asprin’s Myth series has always been the sincerest of pleasures to read.
The first book, Another Fine Myth, begins with apprentice magician Skeeve struggling to perform even the most simple of magic. It’s no wonder considering that Skeeve would rather be a thief. His master decides to summon a demon to scare some respect into him, but during the ritual is attacked by an assassin. Master and assassin manage to kill each other, leaving Skeeve alone with the summoned demon.
Aahz, as we learn the demon is called, is simply a magician from another dimension. Having lost his own magical skills, Aahz takes Skeeve under his wing, teaching him magic and more often the fine art of the con. Over the course of the series they visit different worlds, hopping from dimension to dimension and getting into trouble while trying to make a profit at the same time.
The stories are humorous while maintaining the seriousness of the conflicts they face. It’s not an easy combination to pull off, but Asprin manages wonderfully. The first six book in the series are brilliant. It’s with the 7th book, M.Y.T.H Inc. Link, that the series begins to suffer. The point of view is given to minor characters instead of Skeeve, and the personalities of the major players become unrecognizable. The late Robert Asprin led a troubled life, suffering from long bouts of writer’s block and battles with the IRS. He even gave up writing to be a street musician in New Orleans at one point.
Perhaps because of this the Myth books only get progressively worse as they go along, but those early novels remain timeless masterpieces. Five years before Pratchett would pen his first Discworld novel, Asprin was already bringing humor to the world of fantasy. His novels are slim and yet carry more creativity than books three times their size. Give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Recommended reading:
Another Fine Myth (1978) ISBN 0-441-02359-2
Myth Conceptions (1980) ISBN 0-441-55519-5
Myth Directions (1982) ISBN 0-441-55525-X
Hit or Myth (1983) ISBN 0-441-33850-X
Myth-ing Persons (1984) ISBN 0-441-55276-5
Little Myth Marker (1985) ISBN 0-441-48499-9