The first book of the trilogy by Andrzej Sapkowski “The Tower of the Fools” was published in 2002. The events of the novel take place against the backdrop of Hussist uprisings. The book relates the reader to real historical figures and actions. The battles described by Sapkowski took place in reality. Thanks to the writer, the little-known history of the Middle Ages gained new popularity.
Magic or story?
The main character of the saga is helped by four friends. Among them are the old warrior Charlie, an angel in the human body, a young girl and a priest. Fascinating adventures amid real historical events are provided with mystical details.
The reader would never have become so keenly interested in the novel of a Polish writer, if not for a touch of mysticism and magic in the novel. In addition to knights and priests, treacherous feudal lords and heroes - fighters for justice, sorcerers and dark forces appear in the book. Is it possible to believe the author and call the novel historical? In the Middle Ages, people believed in magicians. Such a story could well be told by one of its participants. Having reached our days slightly modified, the mystical trilogy has occupied the minds and hearts of many readers.
The abundance of humor in the book speaks of the negative attitude of the author to the church, but not to faith. He truly loves or hates his heroes, giving them supernatural powers. However, not everything is decided by magic. Sapkowski endows his heroes with real qualities that ultimately help them fulfill their mission. An example is Charles. The Reinevan saga without him would have remained a love story - no more.
Charlee's characteristic
Such an ally of the protagonist Reinevan is Charlie - a retired soldier, somewhat tired of life. The knowledge of military art, intuition and practical knowledge help out not only the Soldier of Fortune from trouble.
He reluctantly, once again trying to profit for himself, still helps the protagonist. It is he who is best able to act in a critical situation. At the same time, this character knows in advance all the answers like the encyclopedia "Who is that? What is it?" Charlie managed to visit both a warrior and a monk.
Having crossed the road with the miles of this world, the magician and herbalist Reinevan von Bielau finds two colleagues at once. The antithesis of the intelligent and experienced Charlie was Samson Medoc - a service monk, a mentally retarded young man of outstanding physical strength. The poor man, as a result of an unsuccessful rite of exorcism, moved into an angel who wanted to help Raynevan.
Charlie. Character or historical person?
It is not known whether Charlie was aware of the significance of his journey from the very beginning. Sapkovsky put a lot of wisdom and humor into the mouth of his hero. Charlee's phrases for fans of the trilogy became winged. So, Charlie says: "The church, the inn, the brothel, between them a bunch of shit - this is the parabola of human life." The gift of foresight inherent in Charlie does not come from magic or holiness, as in Samson Medoc, in which the angel was infused.
The skepticism of the Soldier of Fortune is caused by rich life experience and good adaptability to different circumstances. Charlee's observation often saves heroes. Nevertheless, he, without hiding, predicts Reinevan martyrdom: “You did the right thing. And you will probably be hanged for it. For such is usually the fate of those who do the right thing. "
In the reserve, the former monk and soldier always has a backup plan of action, a couple of encouraging phrases are always prepared, in everything he finds benefits and positive aspects for himself. In such a seemingly rude character, wisdom, delicacy, and the ability to enjoy life came together.
Reinevan's eternal companions — Samson and Charlie — disappear without a trace at the end of the second book, “The Warriors of God,” but the reader still has a faint hope that they will reappear. The author of the trilogy is forced to sacrifice some heroes, but thanks to this, the work becomes more ambitious and epic.
Speaking of what Charlie is in literature and history, it can be assumed that his collective image and real historical personality is not behind him. However, perhaps some of his adventures did happen to individuals in history. Trying to figure out what Charlie is, listen to how his name sounds. The phonosemic meaning of the word is quiet, gray, rough. That is how the character appears before the reader.
It is unlikely that the author himself can explain in detail what Charlie is in his book, since the initially gray and inconspicuous character, thanks to stable expressions and brief sayings distributed among the fans, became independent and exists separately from the book.
About the book
Unlike the Pentateuch about the Witcher, previously written by Sapkowski, the trilogy about Reynevan became a truly heart-breaking work. Some moments of the book are too hard for a typical game plot.
Many moments of medieval life and European history are too truthful and frank to be taken calmly. Of course, Sapkovsky worked in the archives for a long time before taking up his work.