The Frugal Wizard’s Guide For Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson (Tor, 2023)

Review by Warner Holme: Brandon Sanderson’s The Frugal Wizard’s Guide For Surviving Medieval England is one of those hilarious titles that was just begging to be used. Initially published as part of the record-breaking Kickstarter campaign run by Sanderson, this volume has now come into a wider release. Outside of his normal settings, this book deals with transportational fantasy and the setup starts with the lead awakening without his memories in a burning building and making a desperate dash out while attempting in vain to figure out what is happening. He finds a couple small pages from the book and initially tries to hide when armed individuals start moving through the land. While his memories do start to slowly return he has bigger issues fighting an encroaching force of raiders and a possible connection to his past as he attempts to build his own future.

A very cute introduction by the author explains that the title came to him first, and who can blame him for that fact. It’s a very entertaining title and, taking a page from Douglas Adams, a book with that title is referenced within the pages of this one. While it’s a brave move to remind readers, even quite indirectly, of a classic in your own story it is also nothing to be ashamed of to take inspiration from the best. A similar piece is in place at the end which provides more details on the author’s inspiration as it relates to certain plot developments.

Clarke’s Law, and derivatives of it, come into play heavily in this book and are directly referenced in the book within a book. They are played with in some amusing ways, right down to the question of how existing superstitions might interfere and interact with attempts to use technology to claim supernatural ability amongst a people. It’s an interesting idea of that, while not quite virgin territory, is rarely used to such a meaningful degree.

Pain and suffering are the major elements of the story on a thematic level. The way that some could have things go right, and that others find life repeatedly getting harder as they seemed to have events turn against them. While there is humor found in many of these situations, the basic concept is more than treated seriously. Indeed given the wild success that the author has gone on to achieve, the multifaceted look at failure is an impressive piece of work within the book.

Also included are a number of gorgeous illustrations by one Steve Argyle. These range in style and purpose from detailed in universe book illustrations and quirky cartoons to sketches made by a character and a gorgeous color piece towards the front. While not universal in their purpose within the story, all of them do a great deal to expand it and provide the necessary mood at appropriate moments. 

The Frugal Wizards Handbook For Surviving Medieval England is a delightful read overall. Filled with unexpected twists and turns, as well as those which are satisfyingly predictable, it has much to recommend it. Fans of most of the works it references directly are likely to appreciate it, but are hardly the only audience. The more deep thinking and clever sense of humor which Sanderson often expresses both find strong homes here, in a story that drifts far away from the previous heavily detailed worlds he has spent most of his career on.