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Sir Apropos of Nothing #3
Tong Lashing
The zany adventures of Sir Apropos of Nothing continue as the nobleman finds himself in a magical ancient land where, confronted by monsters and other fantastical enemies, Apropos starts construction on a gigantic wall that appears to go on forever. Reprint.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2003
14 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,567 books1,363 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 30, 2019
Like the second volume, this was good enough but not nearly as good as the first book.
The problem with this series is that it is not a true trilogy in the classic sense. There is no macGuffin that the hero has to find/destroy/escape/whatever and there is no real quest. The three books are only linked by having some of the same characters, but each book is its own self-contained story. Unfortunately, Apropos isn't really a character that can successfully carry a bunch of semi-unrelated stories and keep them all interesting; he is just too one-dimensional. Once you understand that he is a selfish asshole that has a tiny bit of goodness buried deep inside of him, you have pretty much seen all there is to see with him. Without a quest to tie his adventures together and give him something to work toward (while growing in the process), the stories just seem aimless and a bit samey.
The problem with this series is that it is not a true trilogy in the classic sense. There is no macGuffin that the hero has to find/destroy/escape/whatever and there is no real quest. The three books are only linked by having some of the same characters, but each book is its own self-contained story. Unfortunately, Apropos isn't really a character that can successfully carry a bunch of semi-unrelated stories and keep them all interesting; he is just too one-dimensional. Once you understand that he is a selfish asshole that has a tiny bit of goodness buried deep inside of him, you have pretty much seen all there is to see with him. Without a quest to tie his adventures together and give him something to work toward (while growing in the process), the stories just seem aimless and a bit samey.
August 19, 2019
I listened to this on audiobook, and as usual, the narration was spot-on. However, I definitely had some issues with the story itself.
Here's the thing: I understand that this is satire, with bad puns thrown in for flavor. I totally get that. But this particular bit of satire just didn't work for me. Peter David takes on Asian satire, and it quickly got uncomfortable for me. In particular, the way that he mushes together China and Japan (the country is literally called Chinpan) was a non-starter for me. I don't think that Peter David meant it badly, and I will say that he took care to show how much Apropos cares for the people of the story, and that counteracted some of my bad feelings, but still. It feels kind of gross to experience. I suppose you could argue that the satire is less about the actual Asian countries and more about Western perceptions of them, but I still didn't enjoy that element. And let's be honest. The Chin jokes were a bit too far.
In terms of the story, the theme is getting a bit worn too. Nothing can ever go right for Apropos. He is never given the benefit of the doubt, and everything bad that can happen, will happen. It's tiring, and it makes the story less enjoyable. Apropos did show some signs of change in this book, but with the way that life just smacked him down, it seems unlikely to me that any of them will stick.
Finally, I had a real issue with the ending. The revelation that the woman Apropos was in love with was actually a transgender woman was awful. And please don't misunderstand. I have no problem with transgender people. But the way that the narrative treats her is just the worst. Her entire existence is framed as a joke on Apropos, which is so dismissive and awful. And then her death...I can't fault Apropos too much for his shock, but this just isn't the kind of thing that I want to read about. Again, the narrative tries to point out how much Apropos has screwed up, but at that point in the book, it just felt false to me. This was really what dropped my rating to two stars.
So, the lingering question is whether I'll read the final book in the series. It's one I'll have to think about. Part of me just wants to call it quits here, but I do wonder if the story can recover a little bit. I guess I'll have to give it some time and see how I feel about it.
Here's the thing: I understand that this is satire, with bad puns thrown in for flavor. I totally get that. But this particular bit of satire just didn't work for me. Peter David takes on Asian satire, and it quickly got uncomfortable for me. In particular, the way that he mushes together China and Japan (the country is literally called Chinpan) was a non-starter for me. I don't think that Peter David meant it badly, and I will say that he took care to show how much Apropos cares for the people of the story, and that counteracted some of my bad feelings, but still. It feels kind of gross to experience. I suppose you could argue that the satire is less about the actual Asian countries and more about Western perceptions of them, but I still didn't enjoy that element. And let's be honest. The Chin jokes were a bit too far.
In terms of the story, the theme is getting a bit worn too. Nothing can ever go right for Apropos. He is never given the benefit of the doubt, and everything bad that can happen, will happen. It's tiring, and it makes the story less enjoyable. Apropos did show some signs of change in this book, but with the way that life just smacked him down, it seems unlikely to me that any of them will stick.
Finally, I had a real issue with the ending. The revelation that the woman Apropos was in love with was actually a transgender woman was awful. And please don't misunderstand. I have no problem with transgender people. But the way that the narrative treats her is just the worst. Her entire existence is framed as a joke on Apropos, which is so dismissive and awful. And then her death...I can't fault Apropos too much for his shock, but this just isn't the kind of thing that I want to read about. Again, the narrative tries to point out how much Apropos has screwed up, but at that point in the book, it just felt false to me. This was really what dropped my rating to two stars.
So, the lingering question is whether I'll read the final book in the series. It's one I'll have to think about. Part of me just wants to call it quits here, but I do wonder if the story can recover a little bit. I guess I'll have to give it some time and see how I feel about it.
October 28, 2014
This is the third in the series about Sir Apropos of Nothing. If you ask me, maybe he should've stopped with the first book, which was witty, fresh, and a brisk read. Apropos himself remains a compelling character: the typical anti-hero turned on its head, a man so lucky, to paraphrase the book, that it runs in BOTH directions. But nearly everything else about the book dragged it down. Bad jokes about D&D players, bad puns everywhere... the humor, in my case, worked against it far more than for it. It just wasn't funny. I suspect I'll be buying it only to complete my collection. If you have been following the series, maybe it's worth reading once. Maybe. Not Recommended.
January 22, 2014
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about the "Sir Apropos of Nothing" Trilogy, is that while each book continues the story, each book can easily stand on it's own.
May 31, 2009
Not as funny as the other two but I LOVED who/what is love interest ended up being. I won't post a spoiler other than saying...WIN.
September 4, 2024
Worst in the series. Aimless, no big quest or achievement to strive for. It just sort of starts with him landing in a Japanese inspired fantasy world, with some race jokes that probably would raise an eyebrow if released today. Nothing mean spirited with the humor but gets a bit one note.
None of the characters stood out, in fact, at this stage nearly every character we got to know, is gone.
The book started from a fresh slate, honestly hardly felt like the same world if all the characters are written off, the world building is written off, the prior conflicts done away with, the main characters history pushed aside, literally nothing but the main character here who seemingly has little to nothing to do with his character arch previously. Feels oh most like a fan fiction or cheap spin off.
The main character hardly feels like there was any growth or any relation to the series.
The ending also was just..... Bad. Like the author couldn't decide how to end it without needing to write a 3 novel epic in this world so they decided to instead quickly include a lame twist (aged poorly twist that makes no sense) that is over exaggerated the everything wraps up in 30 minutes.
Mentioning the twist too again just lightly to not spoil it. It is so soooo soooooo incredibly dumb. Like the author wanted to achieve something to end the series but couldn't think of anything good enough that will spark what they needed out of the MC so they went for an easy button twist that is so incredibly lame. It was meaningless and did nothing but allow the author to quit when they got bored enough with writing this any more I guess.
So sooooo bad. It's so incredibly strange how weirdly bad that ending was or overall this entire book. It hardly even felt like it could be a junk food read as I felt nothing (a running theme actually, maybe the author was depressed when writing this because it really sucked the joy out of everything).
None of the characters stood out, in fact, at this stage nearly every character we got to know, is gone.
The book started from a fresh slate, honestly hardly felt like the same world if all the characters are written off, the world building is written off, the prior conflicts done away with, the main characters history pushed aside, literally nothing but the main character here who seemingly has little to nothing to do with his character arch previously. Feels oh most like a fan fiction or cheap spin off.
The main character hardly feels like there was any growth or any relation to the series.
The ending also was just..... Bad. Like the author couldn't decide how to end it without needing to write a 3 novel epic in this world so they decided to instead quickly include a lame twist (aged poorly twist that makes no sense) that is over exaggerated the everything wraps up in 30 minutes.
Mentioning the twist too again just lightly to not spoil it. It is so soooo soooooo incredibly dumb. Like the author wanted to achieve something to end the series but couldn't think of anything good enough that will spark what they needed out of the MC so they went for an easy button twist that is so incredibly lame. It was meaningless and did nothing but allow the author to quit when they got bored enough with writing this any more I guess.
So sooooo bad. It's so incredibly strange how weirdly bad that ending was or overall this entire book. It hardly even felt like it could be a junk food read as I felt nothing (a running theme actually, maybe the author was depressed when writing this because it really sucked the joy out of everything).
September 7, 2021
In the third book of the series, our (anti)hero travels (not that he planned so) to a country mix of Japan and China where for the first time he learns to care about others through an alternation of hilarious and sad episodes. As good as the previous ones, with a suspicion of character maturing.
Spoiler alert: Some might find homophobic or offensive an incident at the end of the book (involving the emperor's brother). These people would be offended even by a blank page. F*ck off, it's literature with humour, not an essay.
Spoiler alert: Some might find homophobic or offensive an incident at the end of the book (involving the emperor's brother). These people would be offended even by a blank page. F*ck off, it's literature with humour, not an essay.
September 6, 2017
it was good for the first half, interesting to see the character progression, but the ending was a surprise. it was clever of the author to refer to all real events being addressed by the main character.
however, the ending left a lot to be desired, it just hammers the guy down than doing anything else for the plot. We don't find out about what happens to the rest of the country
however, the ending left a lot to be desired, it just hammers the guy down than doing anything else for the plot. We don't find out about what happens to the rest of the country
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2018
This was the saddest and most messed up book of them all. I get the pain and frustration. This "hero" is certainly going through the ringer and all he wants is nothing. My favorite one of the series thus far. Can't wait to read the next one.
April 12, 2018
Not quite as good as the previous couple. This'll probably be the last I read of this series.
September 20, 2021
Didn’t like how this one ended.
November 4, 2025
This was a really fun book. I read the other two and still wanted to read this one. It's kind of a new look at standard fantasy.
February 9, 2013
I want to like this series--obviously, since I've read all three books of it now. And yet I just get so frustrated with how nearly nihilist the whole thing is. It is too bare, too sarcastic, too much. I am continually impressed by David's ingenuity in puns and wordplay--there are whole layers of meaning to place names, character names, innuendos, and side remarks that are groaners and gems and everything in between. In fact, I think his skill in reference is his greatest strength. But I need hope, too, however foolish that may be.
In this third installment (the last that I'm aware of, although it's written with room for more), David has a whole new world in which to unleash his wayward knight; having had all sorts of misadventures in the European Isteria and Wuin, Apropos washes up on the shores of Chinpan, an Asian knock-off made all the funnier to me as I was reading The Tale of the Heike alongside, which traces the beginnings of samurai culture in Japan.
Plot-wise, I think this is the best of the series, as it really gives a depth of humanity to the antihero that just doesn't quite make it in the other two. The ending totally caught me off guard, too--although, again, clever in the reference department, if heart-breaking. So it was good--but, characteristically, depressing as hell. For this, I think this reading is enough.
In this third installment (the last that I'm aware of, although it's written with room for more), David has a whole new world in which to unleash his wayward knight; having had all sorts of misadventures in the European Isteria and Wuin, Apropos washes up on the shores of Chinpan, an Asian knock-off made all the funnier to me as I was reading The Tale of the Heike alongside, which traces the beginnings of samurai culture in Japan.
Plot-wise, I think this is the best of the series, as it really gives a depth of humanity to the antihero that just doesn't quite make it in the other two. The ending totally caught me off guard, too--although, again, clever in the reference department, if heart-breaking. So it was good--but, characteristically, depressing as hell. For this, I think this reading is enough.
October 7, 2011
It's tough to know what to make of Peter David's third (and final?) foray into the misadventures of Sir Apropos of Nothing. Changing his setting from generic European fantasy to generic Asian fantasy enables him to go for low hanging fruits, get ready for multiple chin jokes, yet it's undeniable that he also reaches for loftier targets.
Most surprisingly, in between, Apropos grows as a character, something I had not expected. Indeed, Apropos' search for truth is what makes this volume entertaining, moreso than the easy jests made using of Japanese syllable arrangement puns. It's not what I've come to expect from this series, but welcome all the same.
There are some predictable twists and turns. Experienced readers will see most, if not all, of them coming well in advance. The end, well, the end makes sense in line with the genre and book, but it is somewhat stunning, much in the way the ending of Monty Python and the Holy Grail stunned. You can't quite believe David ended it this way, yet he did.
Most surprisingly, in between, Apropos grows as a character, something I had not expected. Indeed, Apropos' search for truth is what makes this volume entertaining, moreso than the easy jests made using of Japanese syllable arrangement puns. It's not what I've come to expect from this series, but welcome all the same.
There are some predictable twists and turns. Experienced readers will see most, if not all, of them coming well in advance. The end, well, the end makes sense in line with the genre and book, but it is somewhat stunning, much in the way the ending of Monty Python and the Holy Grail stunned. You can't quite believe David ended it this way, yet he did.
March 27, 2011
This misfit, mis-adventures of Sir Apropos continue in this third book by Peter David.
I'm a smartass at heart, snarky, sarcastic, sassy and facetious to the last word in every other sentence I spew.
I'm a stickler for puns; i love parody movies and half of every comedy Leslie Nielson ever stared in in the 80's and 90's The more I giggle at an inside joke or groan at a pun, the better I like them, and the artist that thought them up. Mr. Peter David must share my train (wreck) of though, for he's responsible for a great many of my favorite puns. In fact, I haven't seen anybody make a pun like he has, because he not only makes the joke, but then he makes something useful out of it. It's a rare talent, and one that really makes his books worth reading.
The ending is less than desirable, but this reader is hoping that second trilogy is in the works.
I'm a smartass at heart, snarky, sarcastic, sassy and facetious to the last word in every other sentence I spew.
I'm a stickler for puns; i love parody movies and half of every comedy Leslie Nielson ever stared in in the 80's and 90's The more I giggle at an inside joke or groan at a pun, the better I like them, and the artist that thought them up. Mr. Peter David must share my train (wreck) of though, for he's responsible for a great many of my favorite puns. In fact, I haven't seen anybody make a pun like he has, because he not only makes the joke, but then he makes something useful out of it. It's a rare talent, and one that really makes his books worth reading.
The ending is less than desirable, but this reader is hoping that second trilogy is in the works.
March 6, 2015
Continues the trend from book two by doubling down on the jokes, referential humour and set pieces and putting character and plot in the back seat. It's kind of impressive, in a certain way, when puns are set up several chapters ahead of time. If nothing else, it shows a certain misguided dedication but there's obvious cases where the plot shaped to accommodate the puns. Although some of them are clever, mostly they're just tortuously forced into place and the book suffers for it.
The actual guts of the narrative is strong, and Apropos remains an interesting character, but this just makes the sudden and anticlimactic ending even more of disappointment. I wasn't a huge fan of the jokes in Woad to Wuin either, but the story was still enough to fall back on. Would only recommend to big fans of Woad to Wuin.
The actual guts of the narrative is strong, and Apropos remains an interesting character, but this just makes the sudden and anticlimactic ending even more of disappointment. I wasn't a huge fan of the jokes in Woad to Wuin either, but the story was still enough to fall back on. Would only recommend to big fans of Woad to Wuin.
January 31, 2011
I refuse to finish this book unless someone can first confirm if he ever manages to obtain some kind of redemption. I mean, even Thomas Covenant eventually manages a certain degree of self sacrifice for the greater good (although I can't recall what his motives were...) Surely Apropos can do the same? Even if by accident?
I can't help it. I like Apropros and I want very badly for him to be a redeemable character. I slogged through Sir Apropos of Nothing and Woad to Wuin hoping against hope that *this* time Apropos would get it together and stop torturing himself and everyone around him.
*still hoping*
I can't help it. I like Apropros and I want very badly for him to be a redeemable character. I slogged through Sir Apropos of Nothing and Woad to Wuin hoping against hope that *this* time Apropos would get it together and stop torturing himself and everyone around him.
*still hoping*
May 6, 2008
This book was a complete work of trash!!!! The author works in a pitifully poor "Lord of the Rings" parody with an obscene twist that wasn't even funny. This particular work was as LAME as the original book of the series was fun!
It just goes to show -- that an author will write any drivel, call it a sequel, and if it is in the fantasy genre-- some stupid editor will publish it so that there is a complete trilogy.. no matter how badly it is written, how non-unique, how poor in taste. National Lampoon would have rejected this awful parody.
It just goes to show -- that an author will write any drivel, call it a sequel, and if it is in the fantasy genre-- some stupid editor will publish it so that there is a complete trilogy.. no matter how badly it is written, how non-unique, how poor in taste. National Lampoon would have rejected this awful parody.
May 18, 2009
The book was good until the end when it just self destruct on itself. The frist book had such promise but, after the next two it seems that my hopes for Aprpos and the author's are not the same. Even more disappointing is that this third book does not end the story as Apropos has yet to fulfill his destiny but, maybe that is the point. That the story is really not an anti-hero story but, an anti-story story. Great promise and great character but, it doesn't seem to go anywhere. So, now I'm going with a sure thing - Charles Dickens' Great Expections.
October 15, 2011
I have mixed feelings about this one. I loved it...right up until the last chapter. I have to say, it was the logical ending, and it was a satisfying conclusion in its way, but I was very disappointed that there was no happy ending for Apropos, after all he had gone through, and after coming so close so many times... I was upset that the series ended the way it did, but I guess that was the only way it could go.
May 29, 2013
The third novel in this series has a lot of great character development for Apropos as he enters yet another new world where his bad luck and cynical attitude continue to entertain the reader. The author stuck to his pattern of having major plot twists near the end but I found I liked the second novel slightly more than this one.
Shout out to Jason Mortenson for buying me this series and me finally reading it four years later.
Shout out to Jason Mortenson for buying me this series and me finally reading it four years later.
April 8, 2015
where did you go wrong Peter? PAGE 4!!! What the hell in the first chapter you remove all possibility of a relationship with a character that we spent the entire second book falling in love with. This series was perfect until then. I loved that you offered nothing redeemable to your character, that was bold and refreshing, but how long could you really expect us to like him without someone to balance him. Years later and I am still fuming.
November 26, 2012
A punish, slightly dark comedic fantasy that is somewhat wrenched awry by it's ending. The last chapter has a rather different tone from the rest of the book that I found rather jarring at first. On reading the last section again, it felt like a smoother transition than I'd first thought, but it still feels off.
February 8, 2013
Just....no. I'm not going to rate these. The author and I have such varying viewpoints of...basically everything, that it would be unfair of me to say these were bad books. Obviously, a lot of people thought well of them. But they were certainly not for me. After all three books, I still couldn't see any point to them except making me thoroughly despise the main character.
December 22, 2013
This is the third and last book in a wonderfully genius series; I hope he eventually comes back to write a fourth book (and even more). You should start with the first book of the series - it's a medieval fantasy mixed with subtle (and remarkable) humor. Apropos is the best sympathetic antihero I can think of - loved this book (and series).
September 3, 2007
As with the other 2 books in this series, it's both hilarious and insightful, with great / terrible puns, but gets very dark in the middle or ending (the latter, in this case). Couldn't recommend it more, but I'd love a sequel -- the story is far from over, here.
December 17, 2009
Was certainly better than the second, but not a patch on the first! Did enjoy quite a bit though, and was very sad myself when Kit Chinette died. Pity we didn't get more Entipy after the first though!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2011
I loved how the protagonist reflected on his past adventures, creating a context into which to grow within this tale. There were moments near the end when my heart was beating faster, waiting to see what he would do next. Unfortunately, the book ended badly, keeping it from a five-star review.
June 23, 2013
Tong Lashing is filled with just as many puns and obscure references as the previous two books, some of them laugh-out-loud funny, some just absolute groaners. The ending was a bit too nihilistic for my taste, but all in all, relatively enjoyable.
December 19, 2013
I read the entire series on some friend recommendations. The puns were clever, the writing was ok, even some of the supporting philosophy was nice. But the series had an overwhelming fatalism, and I didn't enjoy that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews