The Lies of Locke Lamora
by Scott Lynch · first published 2001
74% recommend22% neutral4% critical
Why HN recommends it
Witty fantasy heist romp about a thief and con man in a gritty, canal-filled, Renaissance Venice-like city; praised for sharp writing, great characters and humor. Suits fans of thief stories wanting a fun, light read.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Best book ever
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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…That doesn't mean Fantasy books are a waste of time though if they're engrossing and entertaining. That's why I read them. Some fantasy recommendations: The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch The First Law series, by Joe Abercrombie (especially the standalone books #4, #5 and #6) The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
on “YC's Winter Reading List” ↗Fiction: "The Lies of Locke Lamora" I found this book because I just finished playing Dishonored 2 and I wanted to read a book with a dystopian steampunk alternative-Victorian vibe. The events take place in a gritty, corrupt city of…
on “Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021?” ↗…agency dedicated to fighting off magical menaces. Each book stands alone but the end of the world is looming on the horizon. Stross has written a LOT more stuff, pretty much all worth reading IMHO. The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch. A very witty romp about a thief in a fantasy land. There's three books about Locke now; while there's continuity between them, they mostly stand alone - right now I'm reading the latest,…
on “Entitlement issues (2009)” ↗Discworld: Going Postal, Making Money, and Raising Steam (3 books total) The Lies of Locke Lamora (and sequels, 3 books total so far) The Name of the Wind (and sequels, 3 books total so far) Ancillary Justice (and sequel, 2 books total so far) All of Iain M. Banks Culture series Old Man's War…
on “What are your favorite sci-fi and fantasy books?” ↗It seems that everybody has been recommending sci fi and fantasy... Well, so will I. - The Lies of Locke Lamora: fantasy (think fantastic Renaissance Venice), fairly light read, very well written, great characters. - Accelerando: from our own cstross. Postuhumanist episodic scifi, pretty much a required read for…
on “Ask HN: What are some great fiction reads for someone that reads non-fiction” ↗> The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch. Recently read the first volume — wasn't sure about the series so only got the one, it was a great read and the next volumes are on the list for my next book ordering.
on “Entitlement issues (2009)” ↗Tend read more Sci-fi/fantasy. Some good ones this year: Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss http://amzn.com/B0010SKUYM Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch http://amzn.com/B000JMKNJ2 The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson http://amzn.com/B003P2WO5E Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson http://amzn.com/B002GYI9C4 The above four are the first book…
on “Ask HN: What were the best fun books you read in 2014?” ↗Just recently finished "Seveneves" by Neal Stephenson. It's sci-fi, but fantastic. For non-sci-fi, my favorite fantasy book I've read recently was "The Lies of Locke Lamora" (and its sequels) by Scott Lynch. Another is "Dirty Jobs" by Christopher Moore, a bit on the Pratchett-inspired side of things. I also recently finished Felicia Day's memoir, "You're Never Weird on…
on “Ask HN: Great nontech book that you read recently?” ↗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…
on “YC's Winter Reading List” ↗…much; some books are better than the others however I recommend starting with Leviathan awakes (the 1st one) and if you like the characters and story continue with the others; if not don't bother. - The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. A great fantasy novel; very interesting story and characters. I liked it very much. The second one (red seas under red skies) was not as good as the first one though. - The power of the…
on “Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?” ↗…"normal" fiction, sprinkled in here and there. Dickens is good at that. Best laugh I've had from a book may have been from a set up chapter followed by a punchline first sentence of the next in Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora, a book that's otherwise occasionally funny but not at all a comedy. I had to put it down for a while to stop laughing. By contrast, comedy's almost the only thing that works for me in silent film. And…
on “How I Consume Books” ↗Some books that I have really liked: - Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss(waiting on the third book....) - Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (also waiting on the rest of the series...) - The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu - the first book was ok but I really liked the second - The Dark Forest - Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo…
on “Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book?” ↗…GUNPOWDER and get magic! - Wool by Hugh Howey -- Post-apocalyptic world where everyone lives in a silo! NUTS. - Disenchanted by Robert Kroese -- Hilarious fantasy world, several books in this world - The Lies of Locke Lamora (The Gentlemen Bastards series) by Scott Lynch -- Best heist novel of all time? You decide! - The Queen's Poisoner by Jeff Wheeler -- Secondary world that feels like King Arthur and the Round Table adventures…
on “Top Fantasy Series to battle quarantine boredom” ↗The Lies of Locke Lamora. 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. Will probably pick up the next one next year.
on “Ask HN: Favorite fiction books of 2018?” ↗Just read Locke Lamora and it was quite good. I'd add in the Malazan series by Steven Eriksson. Gardens of the Moon is the first one. Great books, but definitely a long undertaking.
on “YC's Winter Reading List” ↗