oh my gosh you have no idea how firmly and how much I have to sit on my hands.
oh my gosh.
I am INORDINATELY excited about these readblogs, but I find myself having a hard time responding to them, because of SPOILER CITY. It could be an interesting exercise for me to try and engage both you and the story as-it-comes, rather than as a whole, but I am just afraid that in discussing it I will give things away.
For example I just had a pretty lengthy discussion with the (Original-Trek soaked) partner about the Star Trek angle that I can only share part of! SADFACE. We talked a lot about the Barrayar-Klingon comparison in Origiral Trek terms and the general conclusion... Basically both the partner and I could see the similarities and possible derived origin, but agreed that the two diverge (and keep going their separate ways). One of the most distinctive parts of the book for me, the plot against Prince Serg, for example, doesn't really translate well into old Klingons for either of us. You definitely have the proud warrior race guy thing going on, and the honour, but I guess what I'm saying is, if I wasn't looking for the comparison, it wouldn't really occur to me besides as two takes on the same trope. Overall it felt ambiguous to us, but a lot of the more nuanced Barrayar development, I can't discuss yet. SITTING ON HANDS. Basically, this is one of the first things she wrote and the first that got published -- which is not an excuse -- but it does mean that I can say it gets better and more nuanced later on. In this very book, even! This is why omnibus volumes are good >.>
HOWEVER! One Original Trek comparison that we can talk more fully about now! The Federation, and Cordelia as a Federation officer. Partner and I agree that this comparison is most probably influenced by later development of the Federation, as opposed to the original take. The Federation did not have much of a presence in OT, especially not compared to its presence in the later series. I can definitely buy Cordelia herself-and-alone as a Federation officer; but Beta Colony, not as much. Especially now that you have learned interesting things about Beta Colony! Beta is actually interesting to watch as you learn more about the place; I'd be interested in further thoughts on Beta. INTEREST.
If anyone you've met so far is Federation-ish, I think it would probably be Escobar, maybe.
As for Aral/Cordelia! I admit that one of my personal... disappointments, maybe? That might be too strong a word. But the lack of... elaboration? on Aral/Cordelia is one such thing that doesn't really hit the spot for me in Shards.
But also, I somehow never read it as a love or (as you mentioned in chat but not here, I think) devotion at first sight. Attraction, being intrigued by each other, sure. But I never got any intent of love at first sight from it, though of course things do move fairly quickly -- they knew each other what, a week before Aral proposed? fffff
SADLY we are running into things I can't talk about again. BUT I am really looking forward to when I can REALLY discuss Aral/Cordelia!
BUT I HOPE YOU CAN SEE HOW EXCITED I AM. Thank you so much for these posts.
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oh my gosh.
I am INORDINATELY excited about these readblogs, but I find myself having a hard time responding to them, because of SPOILER CITY. It could be an interesting exercise for me to try and engage both you and the story as-it-comes, rather than as a whole, but I am just afraid that in discussing it I will give things away.
For example I just had a pretty lengthy discussion with the (Original-Trek soaked) partner about the Star Trek angle that I can only share part of! SADFACE. We talked a lot about the Barrayar-Klingon comparison in Origiral Trek terms and the general conclusion... Basically both the partner and I could see the similarities and possible derived origin, but agreed that the two diverge (and keep going their separate ways). One of the most distinctive parts of the book for me, the plot against Prince Serg, for example, doesn't really translate well into old Klingons for either of us. You definitely have the proud warrior race guy thing going on, and the honour, but I guess what I'm saying is, if I wasn't looking for the comparison, it wouldn't really occur to me besides as two takes on the same trope. Overall it felt ambiguous to us, but a lot of the more nuanced Barrayar development, I can't discuss yet. SITTING ON HANDS. Basically, this is one of the first things she wrote and the first that got published -- which is not an excuse -- but it does mean that I can say it gets better and more nuanced later on. In this very book, even! This is why omnibus volumes are good >.>
HOWEVER! One Original Trek comparison that we can talk more fully about now! The Federation, and Cordelia as a Federation officer. Partner and I agree that this comparison is most probably influenced by later development of the Federation, as opposed to the original take. The Federation did not have much of a presence in OT, especially not compared to its presence in the later series. I can definitely buy Cordelia herself-and-alone as a Federation officer; but Beta Colony, not as much. Especially now that you have learned interesting things about Beta Colony! Beta is actually interesting to watch as you learn more about the place; I'd be interested in further thoughts on Beta. INTEREST.
If anyone you've met so far is Federation-ish, I think it would probably be Escobar, maybe.
As for Aral/Cordelia! I admit that one of my personal... disappointments, maybe? That might be too strong a word. But the lack of... elaboration? on Aral/Cordelia is one such thing that doesn't really hit the spot for me in Shards.
But also, I somehow never read it as a love or (as you mentioned in chat but not here, I think) devotion at first sight. Attraction, being intrigued by each other, sure. But I never got any intent of love at first sight from it, though of course things do move fairly quickly -- they knew each other what, a week before Aral proposed? fffff
SADLY we are running into things I can't talk about again. BUT I am really looking forward to when I can REALLY discuss Aral/Cordelia!
BUT I HOPE YOU CAN SEE HOW EXCITED I AM. Thank you so much for these posts.