Back when The Witcher author claimed that the show will not be as good as the book

Andrzej Sapkowski, the visionary Polish author behind The Witcher saga, always had his voice heard when voicing his doubts about the television adaptation of his work. He stated that he thought no television adaptation could truly do justice to the depth, and intricacies of his novels.

Sapkowski's criticism resurfaced amid preparations for the fourth season of The Witcher on Netflix, now starring Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia, as a reminder to the fans that the true spirit of his realm is on paper.

Despite the enormous global popularity, he keeps insisting that the novels are quite definitely the Fort. He seemed to highlight an ever-running struggle between the world of literature and its on-screen extrapolations

Back when The Witcher author claimed that the show will not be as good as the book

Sapkowski’s perspective on adapting his work

Andrzej Sapkowski never assumed that adapting his novels into a series would lose some depth and nuances of the story. He described that the rich politics, the dark humor, and the thorough characterization presented in his books could not entirely withstand the adaptation to the screen. According to his own words

"The original stands alone, and every adaptation stands alone."

Adaptations for him are standalone works, not alternatives. Whereas Netflix brought The Witcher into the global consciousness, Sapkowski believed only reading the books could provide fans with the complete, intimate experience of his meticulously constructed world.

Sapkowski’s distance from Netflix’s version

Although his books provided the basis for Netflix's The Witcher, Sapkowski had little to no input in how it was created. During a visit to the set, he offered suggestions for plots, but they were not done. Later on, he joked

"Maybe, I gave them some ideas, but they never listened to me.". But it's normal.”

With Liam Hemsworth taking over as Geralt in Season 4, fans questioned whether the series could truly capture the spirit of the books. Sapkowski’s lack of involvement reinforced his belief that the novels remained the most authentic version of his world, while television naturally operated under different pressures like budgets, ratings, and audience expectations.

Andrzej Sapkowski's comments were more than just cheap shots at Netflix; they revealed a larger insight into storytelling. Books allow readers the ability to visualise and browse through a world at their own pace.

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Meanwhile, a television show reshapes and compresses that experience into a brief period of time. Season four breathed new arcs and creative risks, and continues the split parade thrilling some fans and disappointing others.

Andrzej Sapkowski on the other hand is not swayed by ratings or current trends the novels provide the initial and final word regarding Geralt's confrontation. Sapkowski's place in the debate between original vs adaptation now lives on.

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