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Jun. 11th, 2008 11:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lenora_roseStarted the second new job (SMD) Monday; got a good impression of the work, and I'm in a small office where I can play my music and not horrify anyone.
Then, today, went to a workplace conference there, which actually proved a reasonable way to learn a lot about the people I'll be working with -- almost all positively -- and also to re-learn that I cannot keep my mouth closed if someone's interpretation of a remark or an event is too simplistic; I have to be devil's advocate for a greyer, more nuanced reading. Well, I guess I convinced them I'm not shy. Even though I sometimes am.
Elizabeth Bear and Sarah Monette: A Companion to Wolves
I've read far too many long and discerning reviews of this book, and general discussions of what it's trying to do, to feel like I have anything new to add vis-a-vis my reaction. Except I'm definitely on the side of "This Book is Full of Win."
The main cool ingredients are:
Really amazing wolves, as non-human but solid characters. Viredechtis is most definitely one of the best. Ditto the trolls, even if only through the eyes of their enemies. But the hints are hella cool. (I wonder what would happen if you locked this and The Prodigal Troll in a room together for too long?) And the (semi-spoiler).
Serious re-examination of the "Green-Dragonrider problem", aka deconstruction of the very Companion-Animal fantasy it includes. OH, hell, yeah.
Serious consideration of sexual roles, sexuality, and what happens when they don't match (albeit slightly disguised by the fact that there is indeed much buttsex, not all of it exactly what we would consider entirely consensual, and not written remotely to titillate even when the characters have fun. Thank Dog.)
A noteable feminist undercurrent because of, not in spite of, the overwhelming majority of human characters being male. And consideration of the female role in a warrior society. As inhabited by male and female characters.
Massive quantities of war, battles, confrontations, and confusions, and all that action for those who think the above all sounds dry for the page count.
My single favourite moment was the whole "conversation" between Isolfr and Viradechtis that starts with Isolfr dropping the axe handle. Communicating across a barrier that has to be there in spite of their unreserved love. And all the other moments of culture and species clash turning to comprehension, really. Although drawing the complicated mess that is sex that well is a respectable gift on the part of both authors, it's not even in the running by comparison.
Then, today, went to a workplace conference there, which actually proved a reasonable way to learn a lot about the people I'll be working with -- almost all positively -- and also to re-learn that I cannot keep my mouth closed if someone's interpretation of a remark or an event is too simplistic; I have to be devil's advocate for a greyer, more nuanced reading. Well, I guess I convinced them I'm not shy. Even though I sometimes am.
Elizabeth Bear and Sarah Monette: A Companion to Wolves
I've read far too many long and discerning reviews of this book, and general discussions of what it's trying to do, to feel like I have anything new to add vis-a-vis my reaction. Except I'm definitely on the side of "This Book is Full of Win."
The main cool ingredients are:
Really amazing wolves, as non-human but solid characters. Viredechtis is most definitely one of the best. Ditto the trolls, even if only through the eyes of their enemies. But the hints are hella cool. (I wonder what would happen if you locked this and The Prodigal Troll in a room together for too long?) And the (semi-spoiler).
Serious re-examination of the "Green-Dragonrider problem", aka deconstruction of the very Companion-Animal fantasy it includes. OH, hell, yeah.
Serious consideration of sexual roles, sexuality, and what happens when they don't match (albeit slightly disguised by the fact that there is indeed much buttsex, not all of it exactly what we would consider entirely consensual, and not written remotely to titillate even when the characters have fun. Thank Dog.)
A noteable feminist undercurrent because of, not in spite of, the overwhelming majority of human characters being male. And consideration of the female role in a warrior society. As inhabited by male and female characters.
Massive quantities of war, battles, confrontations, and confusions, and all that action for those who think the above all sounds dry for the page count.
My single favourite moment was the whole "conversation" between Isolfr and Viradechtis that starts with Isolfr dropping the axe handle. Communicating across a barrier that has to be there in spite of their unreserved love. And all the other moments of culture and species clash turning to comprehension, really. Although drawing the complicated mess that is sex that well is a respectable gift on the part of both authors, it's not even in the running by comparison.
