Weekend of Fannish Osmosis

[itsallovernow]

First of all, I've missed some birthdays, including the lovely and talented jonquil and the utterly fabulous veritykindle. I hope the coming year brings everything you've hoped for and if either of you would like a belated birthday drabble present, drop on by and state your request. (I'm doing pretty well with the drabbles from last week. I think I'm only one or two behind!)

I also watched Veronica Mars on Sunday (MLB has pre-empted our Tuesday viewings) and have a few thoughts, but nothing terribly deep. Mostly, I like the parallels that are being drawn between the students who aren't Veronica - Mac and Madison, and that Butters is strange but not a creep and I'm a little annoyed that Logan got a "too drunk to remember" pass on his speech. Because it's cheating, and because while I appreciate the tortured nature of the kid, and how much of an asshole he still is in many ways, I kind of think they both deserved better. I actually wouldn't have had an issue with him saying those things, and still waking up with Kendall, but it's unfair to have him blank them out completely. The parallels of fathers hiding things, betraying is interesting when last year it was about the lies and omissions committed by mothers. Pretty soon, all family members are going to be untrustworthy. I do love, however, Veronica's utter, easy faith in Keith. Particularly in the context of Gia's misplaced faith in Woody and Jackie's burgeoning faith in her father, despite the scandals coming out.

My real fannish osmosis comes via books though. Having seen Megan Whalen Turner's name and books bandied about, I finally checked them out. I read The Thief and Queen of Attolia in a rush, enjoying them, enjoying the characters and the worldbuilding and the things that I know she liberated (admittedly) from classical and byzantine texts and worlds. I liked them, but didn't feel any compulsion. However, having absorbed two parts of a trilogy, I did feel a strong pull to finish it up. I splurged, bought King of Attolia in hardback, and read it in a rush on Friday night. That was the book I was waiting for. I don't know why it hit me the way it did, and I know that it wouldn't have if I hadn't read the other two, but I just loved it. And hope very much for some follow up. Partly, it's the outside perspective convention. We know the characters firsthand from the past stories, and now we soee and outsider's view of them. Instead of telling Gen and Irene's love story through their views, we see it witnessed by Costis with all of his surprise and perception and it cements the impression of love and frustration and longing and even a friendship that is developing between this Queen and this thief who wanted her,and ended up with a country to rule. It's been a long time since I read something I enjoyed and respected this much, something that came together so effortlessly, three books dependent upon each other but all trusting the reader to have paid attention, to know why these structures feed each other and give us a sense of completeness at the end. I will say, if there's another book, that Gen needs to take on the mantle of responsability. He's spent an awful lot of the past three books hurt, and the device is going to get old soon. Although it was used spectacularly when he went to the baths with the guards, and the reader, and the guards could trace his story in his body. But then, I'm a sucker for that particular device, the body speaking volumes. So fandom, I'm very very grateful this week for the osmosis.

Comments

[life-on-queen.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, I think Logan lied about the not remembering. I think he was trying to get Veronica out of there before Kendall waltz up... but I could be wrong.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

I'm not convinced he lied about not remembering. I think it's totally in character for him to sleep with Kendall (and all of a sudden he got really hot, because I love their chemistry but I've never been attracted to either the actor or really the character, but damn... in those boxers, with that look of resignation, I finally got it). But I think there was too much of a pause there for him to be excused for lying if he was lying with a noblish purpose. I won't have a problem with a later confession of a lie.

[life-on-queen.livejournal.com]

I don't think he was trying to spare his feelings, I think he was trying not to get caught with Kendall. I'm pretty sure that Logan didn't expect Veronica to bring up that conversation again ever and I'm certain that he didn't expect her to show up at his door the next morning to tell him that she still cared for him, too.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Oh, I agree with all of that. But there's such a long stretch of time while he's sort of waffling, staring at her (and yeah, it makes sense that he's trying to get his bearings, trying to hide what he's done - maybe. I have a near impossible time feeling bad for Logan, and yet they've sold me on the ship, even if I don't think it's healthy.

I forgot to mention my squee over seeing officer Leo! And in a stripey shirt.

[vee-fic.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest he was lying just because it's safer to lie. Make like it doesn't matter, like what he said was an aberration. It's a very adolecent thing to do: get emotionally naked and then whip out the parka and mukluks an instant later. Protective instincts.

[denyeverything1.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, I think Logan lied about the not remembering.

Yes, me too. Even if he didn't remember everything at that moment, he remembered he said *something* significant ot her, I think. And I bet he'll remember quite a bit of it.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing he will, and that will come into play at somepoint. (And dude, haven't these people made their college decisions yet?)

[veritykindle.livejournal.com]

I'm carefully averting my eyes from your Veronica Mars commentary because I haven't seen the episode yet, but I wanted to thank you for the birthday wishes. :)

*hugs*

*goes off to contemplate the possibility of a birthday drabble*

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Hugs you back! Happy birthday! And anything you want, just ask.

[reginaspina.livejournal.com]

Oh, yay! I'm so glad you liked King of Attolia - I think it's my favorite too, only it's hard to say that, because it builds so heavily on what came before.

And yes, I agree - I think the next book (and I'm certain there will be another one, because there's the whole "Medes are invading" issue and also Sophos is probably not dead and that needs to be resolved too) might be more about Gen and Irene as equals? ::hopes:: I love the way that we find out as well in this book how much so many people love Irene - so much that they resent her having been tricked into a marriage. (Do you know, I really picture her very much as looking like Claudia Black?)

[minnow1212.livejournal.com]

>I think the next book (and I'm certain there will be another one,<

Apparently there are plans for a fourth book somewhere down the line, yes, though the author has some short stories to do first.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I find it so interesting that this is the book that captured me so thoroughly, and yet it's totally dependent upon having the prior background.

And yes, I'd like to see them as equals, both finding their power and their moments of grace.

(Do you know, I really picture her very much as looking like Claudia Black?) I can absolute see that. It's the concept of her stillness, I think. The way she's completely contained, and yet has these incredible vulnerabilities that she hides, must keep herself so strong and contained.

And I fervently hope Sophos isn't dead!!