BYOB

[rolanni]

The following may be Somewhat Bewildering to those auditors of this journal who have not read the Korval saga.  I ask those readers to bear with me.

One of the many interesting things that came out of the recent Reading Matters threads was the comment by an reader that I must try the Lymond books, as Val Con had captivated her precisely because she had liked Lymond.  There is, let me hasten to say, Nothing Wrong With This. 

Nor is there anything "wrong" with the perception, frequently voiced, that Shan is "just like" and/or "obviously modeled on" His Grace the Duke of Avon.  I will mention that I am at this moment renewing my acquaintance with His Grace, and frankly, I still don't see it. 

There's nothing "wrong" with that, either.

We all bring something different to the group picnic of story.  I bring fifty-odd years of idiosyncratic experience, a willingness to lean forward, elbows comfortably propped on the table, murmuring, with what one hopes is an engaging grin, "Let me tell you how it was..."
   
The weakness of story is that I must relate my tale of how it was through the filter of my own experience.  I have been taught by experience that True Love does indeed exist and that it can be a powerful, positive force in one's life.  My experience also teaches me that one is not automatically a Good Person because one loves, or a kind person because one laughs.  And so I weave my story, using these threads of experience, and others, following a pattern that is pleasing to me.

The weakness of story is that it must be heard through the filter of other -- hopefully many other -- experiences.  Those who have been taught by life that True Love does not exist -- or, worse, is a cultural bear trap created to enslave women -- may reject my story.  Those who believe that a sense of humor always means kindness may form an opinion of a certain character quite at odds with the storyteller's intent.

But then there are those who connect with the weaving, whose disparate and unique experiences enrich the pattern and give depth to the colors.

And that is the magic of story. 

Comments

[alethea-eastrid.livejournal.com]

At the risk of being all "ooh shiny!" and missing the point...

Where might I encouter His Grace the Duke of Avon? I think I need to make his aquaintence.

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

Georgette Heyer... Ummm "These Old Shades"?

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

In fact, These Old Shades, Georgette Heyer.

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

and I agree...I don't see Shan as being like his Grace at all. Perhaps Er Thom is, though.

[malkingrey.livejournal.com]

If anyone in the Liaden universe is at all like His Grace of Avon, it's Pat Rin. (Purely in my opinion, of course.)

[otaku-tetsuko.livejournal.com]

As well as "Devil's Cub".

Magic Indeed

[drammar.livejournal.com]

It has always seemed to me that the true magic of story, whether told by words or in pictures, is the opportunity to inhabit another person's head and share that person's thoughts. True enough that we each provide our own filters and sometimes mis(interpret, inform, appropriate -- you provide the verb) the teller's tale, but we at least share the moment of the story.

And occasionally (more frequently if we hold ourselves open) we find something in the tale that challenges our own deeply held beliefs, thereby causing an adjustment to those filters. Every story we partake of becomes part of our own experience and changes us. "The song changes us all." (Priscilla/Moonhawk in Plan B) The wonder of being able to explore ourselves through the stories of another is another part of the magic.

Thank you for much magic.

Re: Magic Indeed

[elbales]

Word.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

I can't remember Shan ever being casually cruel, so it's a very bad fit. (And I bow to none in my fondness for His Grace.)

[jilltanith.livejournal.com]

As another who is fairly well aquainted with both Shan and the Duke, *wrestles down the visceral reaction and goes with something more polite* I don't see more than a superficial resemblance.

[saruby.livejournal.com]

Shan and the Duke of Avon? Maybe it's the way he dresses. Other than that, I can't imagine. I for one have no idea what it is that attracts me to a book from an author I haven't read before. The cover? Maybe. I don't have any close friends who read SF, so I don't discuss books with others, in general. I have, however, picked up books that have been recommended here (Fruits Basket, for one, uh, 15). I do tend to read everything I can find from authors I like. The exception to this is that I rarely read fantasy, particularly vampire stuff. Also, I tend to read genres in cycles. SF, manga, romance, mystery. Lots of one genre at a time, then on to another.

BTW, where do you need to pick up FB? I can ship all but the last one, which I haven't purchased yet.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Shan and the Duke of Avon? Maybe it's the way he dresses. Other than that, I can't imagine.

I think it may be the way they talk, though I humbly suggest that Shan is not nearly as venomous as His Grace. The resemblence would perhaps be plainer to me if I didn't know that Shan is modeled on Peter Wimsy.

BTW, where do you need to pick up FB?

Hmmm. The last one I read had Yuki's parent-teacher conference, and Rin trying to pump Shigure for info, silly girl. So that was... 13? I would really appreciate having an opportunity to read the next...

[saruby.livejournal.com]

If you can hang for two weeks, I'll be able to send up to and including the latest release. Consider them on the way.

[(Anonymous)]

As one who's known his grace, the Duke of Avon, for many years and Shan for some time, I don't see the resemblance either, personality-wise. Shan doesn't have the arrogance, and I think he views his position as more of a responsibility than a divine right. He would get on his high horse for a slight to Korval entire more than personally. Although as I was writing this, I can see that there is some similarity of motivation, in stumbling across an injured innocent while pursuing a revenge and pursuing it even more strongly for her sake. I haven't reread These Old Shades in years; must dig it out again.

otterb

[noiseinmyhead.livejournal.com]

writers lie
artists manipulate
poets exagerate







we all tell the truth

His Grace of Avon != Shan

[(Anonymous)]

I do feel, though, that neither of them would be at a loss for words in any situation whatsoever.

Mary Anne in Kentucky

[otaku-tetsuko.livejournal.com]

I don't see it either, (skipping all the discussion to comment), I like Lymond but Shan is MUCH nicer -Lymond's a cynical bastard.

Again, Val Con is nicer than Avon--though they share a common conviction of their own importance, but Val Con is capable of goofiness--his Grace? Never! Compare him to Daav, and I may be more convinced.