The Lies of Locke Lamora, a novel by Scott Lynch, follows the adventures of a clever thief named Locke Lamora in the city of Camorr. Set in a richly imagined world, the story explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the intricacies of a criminal underworld. Locke, along with his band of fellow con artists known as the Gentlemen Bastards, navigates a series of heists while contending with powerful adversaries and a mysterious figure known as the Bondsmagi. This captivating tale is perfect for fans of fantasy and heist narratives, offering a blend of humor and suspense. Published by Bantam Spectra in 2006, this novel is a must-read for those who enjoy intricate plots and well-developed characters.

Key Points

  • Explores the life of Locke Lamora, a master thief in the city of Camorr.
  • Features a unique blend of fantasy and heist elements, appealing to genre enthusiasts.
  • Delves into themes of loyalty, deception, and the complexities of friendship.
  • Introduces a richly detailed world filled with memorable characters and intricate plots.
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Scott Lynch
582 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
Fantasy
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Scott Lynch
582 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
Fantasy
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Scott Lynch
582 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
Fantasy
73

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch pdf

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PROLOGUE
THE BOY WHO STOLE TOO MUCH
1
AT THE HEIGHT of the long wet summer of the Seventy-seventh Year of
Sendovani, the Thiefmaker of Camorr paid a sudden and unannounced visit
to the Eyeless Priest at the Temple of Perelandro, desperately hoping to sell
him the Lamora boy.
“Have I got a deal for you!” the Thiefmaker began, perhaps
inauspiciously.
“Another deal like Calo and Galdo, maybe?” said the Eyeless Priest.
“I’ve still got my hands full training those giggling idiots out of every
bad habit they picked up from you and replacing them with the bad habits I
need.”
“Now, Chains.” The Thiefmaker shrugged. “I told you they were shit-
flinging little monkeys when we made the deal, and it was good enough for
you at the—”
“Or maybe another deal like Sabetha?” The priest’s richer, deeper voice
chased the Thiefmaker’s objection right back down his throat. “I’m sure
you recall charging me everything but my dead mother’s kneecaps for her. I
should’ve paid you in copper and watched you spring a rupture trying to
haul it all away.”
“Ahhhhhh, but she was special, and this boy, he’s special, too,” said the
Thiefmaker. “Everything you asked me to look for after I sold you Calo and
Galdo. Everything you liked so much about Sabetha! He’s Camorri, but a
mongrel. Therin and Vadran blood with neither dominant. He’s got larceny
in his heart, sure as the sea’s full of fish piss. And I can even let you have
him at a… a discount.”
The Eyeless Priest spent a long moment mulling this. “You’ll pardon
me,” he finally said, “if the suggestion that the minuscule black turnip you
call a heart is suddenly overflowing with generosity toward me leaves me
wanting to arm myself and put my back against a wall.”
The Thiefmaker tried to let a vaguely sincere expression scurry onto his
face, where it froze in evident discomfort. His shrug was theatrically casual.
“There are, ah, problems with the boy, yes. But the problems are unique to
his situation in my care. Were he under yours, I’m sure they would, ahhhh,
vanish.”
“Oh. You have a magic boy. Why didn’t you say so?” The priest
scratched his forehead beneath the white silk blindfold that covered his
eyes. “Magnificent. I’ll plant him in the fucking ground and grow a vine to
an enchanted land beyond the clouds.”
“Ahhhhh! I’ve tasted that flavor of sarcasm before, Chains.” The
Thiefmaker gave an arthritic mock bow. “That’s the sort you spit out as a
bargaining posture. Is it really so hard to say that you’re interested?”
The Eyeless Priest shrugged. “Suppose Calo, Galdo, and Sabetha might
be able to use a new playmate, or at least a new punching bag. Suppose I’m
willing to spend about three coppers and a bowl of piss for a mystery boy.
But you’ll still need to convince me that you deserve the bowl of piss.
What’s the boy’s problem?”
“His problem,” said the Thiefmaker, “is that if I can’t sell him to you,
I’m going to have to slit his throat and throw him in the bay. And I’m going
to have to do it tonight.”
2
ON THE night the Lamora boy had come to live under the Thiefmaker’s
care, the old graveyard on Shades’ Hill had been full of children, standing
at silent attention and waiting for their new brothers and sisters to be led
down into the mausoleums.
The Thiefmaker’s wards all carried candles; their cold blue light shone
through the silver curtains of river mist as streetlamps might glimmer
through a smoke-grimed window. A chain of ghostlight wound its way
down from the hilltop, through the stone markers and ceremonial paths,
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FAQs

What is the significance of the lamora boy in the story?
The lamora boy, introduced in the prologue, is a pivotal character whose unique background makes him special in the eyes of the thiefmaker. He is described as having 'larceny in his heart' and is part of a group of orphans that the thiefmaker collects. His presence signifies the potential for both trouble and opportunity, as the thiefmaker considers selling him to the eyeless priest, Chains, to avoid killing him. The boy's introduction sets the stage for the themes of survival and the moral complexities within the world of Camorr.
Who is the thiefmaker and what role does he play?
The thiefmaker is a central figure in the story, depicted as a manipulative and cunning character who collects orphans to train them as thieves. He sees himself as an artist, shaping the lives of these children in the dark underbelly of Camorr. His relationship with the lamora boy highlights his pragmatic yet ruthless nature, as he contemplates selling the boy to avoid the moral dilemma of killing him. The thiefmaker's actions and motivations drive much of the early narrative, establishing the harsh realities of life in the city.
What does the prologue reveal about the setting of Camorr?
The prologue provides a vivid depiction of Camorr, particularly during the long wet summer of the seventy-seventh year of Sendovani. It describes the city as a place rife with danger, where orphans are frequently abandoned and preyed upon by slavers. The imagery of the graveyard on Shades' Hill, where the thiefmaker operates, paints a picture of a dark and oppressive environment. This setting is crucial as it shapes the lives of the characters, particularly the orphans who navigate its treacherous streets.
How does the thiefmaker acquire the catchfire orphans?
The thiefmaker acquires the catchfire orphans during a plague known as black whisper, which decimates the population of older children in the catchfire district. He pays for the best thirty surviving children, taking advantage of the chaos and the quarantine that has left many vulnerable. This acquisition showcases his opportunistic nature and the brutal realities of survival in Camorr, where the lives of children are often traded like commodities.
What is the relationship between the thiefmaker and the eyeless priest?
The relationship between the thiefmaker and the eyeless priest, Chains, is transactional and fraught with tension. The thiefmaker seeks to sell the lamora boy to Chains, who is skeptical of the thiefmaker's motives and the boy's potential. Their dialogue reveals a history of past dealings and a mutual understanding of the darker aspects of their world. This dynamic sets up a complex interplay of power, morality, and survival as both characters navigate their interests.
What moral dilemmas does the thiefmaker face regarding the lamora boy?
The thiefmaker faces a significant moral dilemma regarding the lamora boy, as he contemplates either selling him or killing him to avoid the complications of keeping him. He acknowledges the boy's potential but also recognizes the risks involved in training him. This internal conflict highlights the harsh realities of life in Camorr, where survival often necessitates ruthless decisions, and sets the stage for exploring themes of morality and the value of human life.
What does the prologue suggest about the themes of survival and exploitation?
The prologue suggests that survival in Camorr is a brutal and often exploitative endeavor, particularly for the vulnerable, such as orphans. The thiefmaker's collection of children reflects a system where the weak are preyed upon, and life is valued in terms of utility. The imagery of the graveyard and the orphan thieves underscores the theme of exploitation, as the children are molded into criminals to survive in a city that offers little compassion.

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