Kevin Reitz
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I’ve been thinking that the Sharing Knife books are your strongest and have the most profound emotional punch. My theory is that the settings come directly from your home culture and resonate especially well with readers from the same historical atmosphere. There’s endless presumed knowledge you can draw on and—no small thing—a rich vernacular to exploit. I wonder if it feels that way from the author’s perspective?
Lois McMaster Bujold
The Sharing Knife tetralogy has had quite varied reader response, from folks who like it as you do to those who totally bounce off it, for a variety of reasons. (Including the perennial "This wasn't the [name some other book] I wanted to have been reading!" Also, "It's bad, because it's a romance!", which I find a touch a priori.) One can get a sense of the array by a cruise through the assorted-star Amazon reviews, or here on Goodreads.
I think my 1600-page anti-epic is a major and original and deeply considered work, but I'm not prepared to argue with those who feel otherwise.
Anyway, standard writerly kvetching about reviews aside, I'm always very pleased to run across a reader who sees it my way. Thank you for your thoughtful reading!
Ta, L.
The Sharing Knife tetralogy has had quite varied reader response, from folks who like it as you do to those who totally bounce off it, for a variety of reasons. (Including the perennial "This wasn't the [name some other book] I wanted to have been reading!" Also, "It's bad, because it's a romance!", which I find a touch a priori.) One can get a sense of the array by a cruise through the assorted-star Amazon reviews, or here on Goodreads.
I think my 1600-page anti-epic is a major and original and deeply considered work, but I'm not prepared to argue with those who feel otherwise.
Anyway, standard writerly kvetching about reviews aside, I'm always very pleased to run across a reader who sees it my way. Thank you for your thoughtful reading!
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Kevin Reitz
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
On the subject of who could possibly play Miles in a Golden-Age TV adaptation, I've been struck by Alex Høgh Andersen's portrayal of "Ivar the Boneless" in Vikings, from mid-season 4 forward. He's born without the use of legs but becomes one of the most powerful figures in Vikings history. Unlike Miles, Ivar is a truly awful person--but charismatic and supremely determined. Maybe file this away in case HBO calls?
Richard Molpus
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Question for the Sharing Knife Universe: Are there any 'large' cities in Luthlia, or nothing by small towns the size of Glassforge and the like. I recon Ironforge is easily 15 - 20 thousand people, Glassforge is 5 Thousand. I can't see anything in Luthlia being larger the 5K people, from the carrying capacity (agricultural capacity) of the land. Or is it just small family encampments?
Catherine Nemeth
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Des explains their differing reactions to the Bastard at the end of ‘Demon Daughter’ that Atto is too young to be corrupt and so doesn’t fear Him, and Des is too old not to be corrupt and so fears being taken by Him. Is there any possible fate for a demon other than their destruction at some point, either by a Saint of the Bastard after ascending their host, or by the Bastard Himself for killing a person?
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