Ep. 110 — Chapter 5 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Brett from the US and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 5. Very important bits include: lawful cruelty and corruption, Angoulême’s arrival, the making of the hanza, courage and bravery, blind revenge, and prophetic dreams. [0:00] Cold Open [1:33] Introduction [3:32] Guest Introductions [10:28] Chapter Recap [12:13] Overall Thoughts [18:32] Vengeance v. Justice [32:42] Angoulême’s Arrival [41:56] The Hanza’s Dynamics [49:51] Courage and Bravery [54:58] A Witcher’s Revenge [1:02:23] Ciri’s Dream [1:03:40] Closing...
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Ep. 109 — Chapter 4 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Charli from Austria and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 4. Very important bits include: Season premiere rituals, unreliable narrators, nesting dolls of perspectives, progressive ideas in The Witcher, the literal sword of destiny, how Ciri’s weaponization complicates her victimization, and how each chapter antagonist embodies a different kind of cruelty. [0:00] Cold Open [1:01] Introduction [2:40] Guest Introductions [8:16] Chapter Recap [9:49] Overall Thoughts [17:18] Alternate Perspectives [22:57] Kenna’s Psionic...
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Ep. 108 — Chapter 3 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Content warning: This episode discusses miscarriage and loss of pregnancy. Listener discretion is advised. Kitty from the US and Kyle R. from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: Sirens of the Deep/raunchy Little Mermaid retellings, the framing narrative and Half a Century of Poetry, Milva’s grief following her miscarriage, Cahir’s trustworthiness (and positive reinforcement over survival), “the waist is as low as we go,” Gwent and the sprawling Nilfgaardian spy network, and Hannibal Lector,...
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Ep. 107 — Chapter 2 (Part 2) from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Abbe from Sweden and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 2 (Part 2). Very important bits include: Nilfgaardian amnesty, the yuckiest single serving character, Bonhart’s brutal slaughter, Ciri’s journey, and Vysogota’s role in it. [0:00] Cold Open [1:10] Introduction [2:57] Chapter Recap [4:29] Hotspurn & Nilfgaardian Amnesty [16:07] Bonhart v. The Rats [17:52] Bonhart’s “Art” [23:54] The Villagers’ Perspective (from Abbe ~23 min) [27:29] Ciri’s Journey [32:53] Closing Thoughts [38:17] Outro [38:50] End...
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Ep. 106 — Chapter 2 (Part 1) from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Abbe from Sweden and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 2 (Part 1). Very important bits include: ominous foreshadowing, groupthink and survival, transactions versus ideals, stolen identity, dreams of grandeur, and “that one little turd I have no feelings for, I’m afraid.” [0:00] Cold Open [1:04] Introduction [3:23] Guest Introductions [11:08] Chapter Recap [12:51] Overall Thoughts [17:34] The Chapter Opening [21:27] Hotspurn, The Rats, & Group Think [28:54] Ciri’s Imposter [34:28] CIri & Mistle’s Farewell...
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Ep. 105 — Chapter 1 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Ryan from the US and Sophie from Morocco join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 1. Very important bits include: ‘The Moment You Knew The Witcher Was For You’; how legends are born; first chapters throughout the saga; Vysogota, the raven, and fictional mentors; and where morality ends and survival begins. [0:00] Cold Open [1:18] Introduction [4:07] Guest Introductions [11:10] Chapter Recap [13:00] Overall Thoughts [15:37] The Beggar’s Song and the Fable [19:59] First Chapters Across the Saga [29:32] Vysogota and Ciri [34:05] Ciri’s Distrust...
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Ep. 104 — Chapter 7 from "Baptism of Fire"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Abbe from Sweden, Daniel from the Netherlands, and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 7. Very important bits include: the epic conclusion to the book at the Battle of the Bridge, Witch-dudes and Witch-lads, CD Projekt Red’s ‘Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales’, druidic time scales, framing narratives as foreshadowing, Vampiric tropes, identity and redemption, fantasy as satire, the meandering nature of the book (and what it provides to readers), turning Milva’s pregnancy into a group project, and the ironic origin of...
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Ep. 103 — Chapter 6 from "Baptism of Fire"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Kitty from the US and Tracie aka Miss Magitek join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 6. Very important bits include: international ‘Baptism of Fire’ editions, Peter Kenny’s triumph, excitement for The Witcher 4, how Ciri fights for herself, the legend of Lara Dorren, our best Yzma impressions, perfect 10-year plans, parallels between the Lodge of Sorceresses and Dune’s Bene Gesserit, the mustache-twirling kind of evil, the absence of good, and Hannibal Lecter, gynecologist. [0:00] Cold Open [0:48] Introduction [2:46] Guest Introductions...
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Ep. 102 — Chapter 5 (Part 2) from "Baptism of Fire"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Bo from the US and Gaby from Guatemala join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 5, Part 2. Very important bits include: the classic fish soup scene, being bratty about who you share destinies with, Geralt’s motivations, togetherness and camaraderie, and Therapy with a Vampire. [0:00] Cold Open [1:30] Introduction [2:58] Guest Introductions [9:37] Chapter Recap [11:54] Overall Thoughts [16:53] Geralt’s Hesitancy to Kill [22:28] Ciri’s Cold-Blooded Killing [28:21] Shared Prophetic Dreams [34:43] Accepting Regis [41:14] Geralt’s Protectiveness...
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Ep. 101 — Chapter 5 (Part 1) from "Baptism of Fire"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Nicola from Italy and Pauline from Germany join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: the German and Italian translations, analyzing Sapkowski’s swordfighting through an experienced lens, his use of cutaways, the trustworthiness of Nilfgaardians, the ethics of violence and torture, first reactions to the Crossroads of Ravens teaser, the Everyman perspective in a supernatural world, contrasting views on executions, and killing with “mercy.” [0:00] Cold Open [1:08] Introduction [2:20] Guest Introductions [9:10] Chapter...
info_outlineThis chapter of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt and this episode of the podcast contain discussions of violence and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.
Kade from the US and Matthew from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 7. Very important bits include: the ominous close of the novel, the risk of loneliness, harmful stereotypes, Times of Contempt, and critical conversations around assault.
- [0:00] Cold Open
- [1:32] Introduction
- [4:28] Guest Introduction
- [9:25] zrivie potions
- [14:55] Chapter 7 Recap
- [16:55] Overall Thoughts
- [28:54] Attitude Toward the Rats
- [29:43] Ciri x Mistle
- [48:30] “Falka”
- [53:15] The Risk of Loneliness
- [57:34] “Contempt”
- [1:03:39] Wrap-up
- [1:07:00] Outro
- [1:07:24] End Credits
The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our social platforms are available at breakfastinbeauclair.com.