Mind-Blowing Contrasts: The Unbelievable Transformations of Yennefer in The Witcher Show vs The Books
Discover the striking differences between Yennefer in The Witcher show and the books From her mysterious backstory to her complex relationships, explore how the Netflix adaptation portrays this iconic character in its own unique way
Summary
Yennefer's backstory is explored more deeply in the Netflix series compared to the books, showcasing her neglected past and how she ended up at Aretuza.
Yennefer's graduation as a sorceress at a young age differs between the TV series and the books. While she accomplished her magical training at the age of only 13 in the books, the Netflix series portrays it differently. In the TV series, Yennefer's infertility is depicted as a deliberate choice, whereas in the books, it is seen as a potential outcome resulting from the usage of magic and not something experienced by all sorceresses.
The Witcher TV series on Netflix has brought the characters from Andrzej Sapkowski's novels to life, but it has made significant alterations to them, particularly regarding Yennefer of Vengerberg. While the show has achieved great success, it has faced substantial criticism for the modifications it has made to the source material, particularly in its second season. Yennefer of Vengerberg, portrayed by Anya Chalotra, has been the character most affected by these changes. While some adjustments have enhanced her backstory and other aspects, the majority have had negative repercussions.
Yennefer is a formidable sorceress who received her training at Aretuza and eventually became the romantic interest of Geralt of Rivia. Their relationship was intricate, with its fair share of highs and lows, but they joined forces to raise Ciri as their own child. While The Witcher series on Netflix has remained faithful to the core elements of Yennefer's story and her prominent traits, it has also made significant deviations from her narrative and portrayal in the books, with not all of them being advantageous for the character. Here are ten notable distinctions between Yennefer in the TV series and the original books.
10 Yennefer’s Backstory Isn’t Explored In The Witcher Books
When Yennefer was introduced in Netflix's The Witcher, she was a young woman who suffered from a curved spine and partial facial paralysis. She faced neglect from both society and her own family. On a fortuitous day, Yennefer found herself under attack by a man and a woman, inadvertently opening a portal to Aretuza. This extraordinary event caught the attention of Tissaia de Vries, who later acquired Yennefer from her stepfather and brought her to Aretuza. Despite the Netflix series diving deeper into Yennefer's backstory, the Witcher novels also touch upon her troubled childhood caused by her congenital hunchback. Eventually, her remarkable magical abilities paved the way for her acceptance into Aretuza.
9 Book Yennefer Was Very Young When She Graduated As A Sorceress
Yennefer, a character from The Witcher TV series, undergoes a significant age transformation throughout her journey. While she is initially a young woman when she is taken to Aretuza, she is not a teenager anymore. However, in the books, Yennefer is depicted as much younger. Born in 1173, she successfully completes her sorceress training at Aretuza and graduates at the tender age of 13 in 1186.
8 Yennefer’s Infertility Wasn’t Originally Her Choice
7 Yennefer’s Physical Changes Were Ordered By Tissaia
In order to achieve beauty and leave behind her traumatic past, Yennefer consciously chooses to sacrifice her fertility in the Netflix series. However, unlike the Witcher books where not all sorceresses are subjected to infertility, the potential consequence of using magic can lead to infertility in the source material. This decision haunts Yennefer for years in the TV series, driving her to endanger her own life and that of others in order to regain the possibility of becoming a mother.
While Yennefer's infertility wasn't a requirement for sorceresses in The Witcher books, undergoing a physical transformation was an integral part of their training at Aretuza. Tissaia emphasized the importance of sorceresses maintaining peak physical condition, hence insisting on rectifying even the slightest deformities. Yennefer, however, faced a unique situation with her hunchback and other deformities which needed to be eliminated for her to successfully complete her studies at Aretuza. In the Netflix series, the sorceresses also experienced a physical transformation, but Tissaia explained to Yennefer that each sorceress had the autonomy to recreate themselves according to their own preferences, giving Yennefer the freedom to choose which aspects to alter and which to preserve.
6 Yennefer Is Temporarily Blind After The Book's Battle of Sodden Hill
The conclusion of The Witcher season 1 featured the Battle of Sodden Hill, where Yennefer utilized fire magic, a forbidden practice, and vanished after the battle's conclusion. Similarly, in the books, Yennefer participated in the Battle of Sodden Hill, but she suffered blindness as a result of Fringilla's actions during the conflict. Although Yennefer eventually regained her sight, this distressing incident further added to her already extensive list of emotional wounds, which she carried with her for the remainder of her life.
5 Yennefer Is A Lot More Confident In The Witcher Books
Yennefer's self-confidence as a sorceress has been a constant struggle, leading to various issues in her life. This alteration in Netflix's The Witcher has generated controversy, as the books portray her as significantly more assured in her abilities and her connection to magic, augmenting her power. Though understandable given the traumatic experiences she has endured, it has taken Yennefer an excessive amount of time to resemble her literary counterpart.
4 Yennefer Is Manipulative In The Witcher Novels
Yennefer's character in the Witcher books portrays her as more self-assured and skilled in her magical abilities, but it also introduces some unfavorable qualities. In the books, Yennefer often resorts to manipulation and using others to further her own interests, which is not a prominent aspect in the Witcher series. Although the Witcher season 2 hinted at this behavior when Yennefer deceived Geralt and Ciri in order to make a sacrifice (more details to follow), the sorceress's manipulative tendencies are generally absent in Netflix's interpretation.
3 Book Yennefer & Ciri Don't Get Along At First
In The Witcher season 2, Yennefer and Ciri crossed paths and instantly formed a connection. However, their bond didn't truly solidify until season 3, when Yennefer began training Ciri in the ways of magic. While their relationship in Netflix's The Witcher series has been seamless, things were quite different in the books. When Yennefer first encountered Ciri, they didn't get along as smoothly. Ciri found the sorceress too strict and unforgiving, while Yennefer perceived the Lion Cub of Cintra as lazy and stubborn. Nevertheless, they eventually reconciled and developed a tender mother-daughter dynamic that became a central element in The Witcher books.
2 Yennefer Isn’t Obsessed With Power In The Witcher Books
1 Yennefer Never Tries To Sacrifice Ciri In The Witcher Novels
Yennefer's lack of confidence in Netflix's The Witcher has resulted in her pursuit for increased authority and command, leading her into significant predicaments and adversely impacting her personal relationships, particularly with Geralt. In contrast, the books depict Yennefer possessing an in-depth understanding of herself and her connection to magic, resulting in heightened confidence and stability while eliminating the need for an obsession with power and control.
One of the most controversial changes made by Netflix's The Witcher to Yennefer was her attempt to sacrifice Ciri in order to regain her powers. Season 2 of The Witcher introduced the character Voleth Meir, who convinced Yennefer that she could restore her powers if she handed over Ciri. Desperate to regain her abilities, Yennefer deceived Geralt and Ciri, gaining their trust only to betray them by nearly sacrificing Ciri to Voleth Meir. Ultimately, Yennefer selflessly offered herself as a vessel, saving Ciri, Geralt, and herself. In the books, Yennefer never considered sacrificing Ciri to anyone and would instead sacrifice anything to ensure Ciri's safety.
