The Lies of Locke Lamora
Scott Lynch
14 people recommended it in 8 threads, 2015–2023.
1 commenter pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
A great fantasy novel; very interesting story and characters. I liked it very much.
The events take place in a gritty, corrupt city of waterways and canals controlled by different factions. The factions represent either the legitimate nobility or the extensive underground criminal empire. A charismatic leader of a small young group of thieves and pickpockets comes up with an epic, layered con that will break sacred agreements and make him enemies with everyone - and pulls it off.
The Lies of Locke Lamora is easily the best-written fantasy novel I've read—save perhaps The Hobbit, but that's fairly unlike modern adult fantasy. It's sad that thorough competence at storytelling is a rare quality in genre fic but, well, here we are.
Not a new book, but I read it this year and as a fan of the thief/conman type in fiction, I found it fun.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021? 2021 · 4 recommendations
- YC's Winter Reading List 2016 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: Favorite fiction books of 2018? 2018 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately? 2023 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2017? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Great nontech book that you read recently? 2015 · 1 recommendation
- What are your favorite sci-fi and fantasy books? 2015 · 1 recommendation