Words, words, words

[dolorosa_12]

Before I launch into discussing all that's happened since my last post (excellent books! rewatching beloved favourite films! so. much. fic. writing!), a link.

My wonderful former MPhil and PhD supervisor has been part of an international project updating eDIL, the online dictionary of the Irish language. As well as the huge amount of work that contributed to the revamped, expanded, and updated dictionary, she and her collaborators ended up publishing what sounds like a really cool book, aimed at a non-specialist audience, called A History of Ireland in 100 Words. Yesterday, the Irish Times newspaper featured excerpts from this book in its Saturday magazine, and the words selected are a really great illustration of how the history of Ireland influenced its language. You can read the excerpt here.

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I was initially surprised and daunted by my Yuletide assignment — it wasn't a fandom I was expecting to match on — but after turning ideas over in my head all week, I worked out the emotional beats and shape of the kind of story I wanted to tell, and today I finally had time to write it. I think I'm about a third of the way there. I also added several thousand words to the non-assignment fic that's completely consumed my mind. The whole thing sits at just over 7000 words right now, and I'd say it's about a third of the way to completion, meaning it should clock in at around 20,000 words or so.

I've got ideas for at least two Yuletide treats, but they will wait until the assignment is completed. I normally aim to write at least three treats, but I never start them until the assignment is finished and ready to upload, because I don't want to get sidetracked from my main responsibility in the exchange. I was worried about what feels like a slightly shorter writing period this year, but it seems my ability to get words out in good time remains.

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After a run of quite disappointing books, I'm pleased to report that the last two novels I've read were a massive return to form.

Sorcery of Thorns, by Margaret Rogerson was right up my alley, with character and relationship dynamics that seemed written with me in mind as the intended reader. I also love encountering books whose influences are so obvious — and so clearly marks the author as someone of my own generation and a fan of the same stories that spoke to me when I was growing up. In this case, the stories in question are those of Garth Nix's Old Kingdom trilogy, Lirael in particular.

Musketeer Space Tansy Rayner Roberts' genderswapped space opera retelling of The Three Musketeers is a rollicking, swashbuckling delight. I loved in particular that Roberts managed to create a universe without sexism or homophobia, which is not just sex positive but revels in its female characters' sexuality, allowing women (and men) to be frank and enthusiastic about sex, but not in a cringeworthy, Sex and the City way. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, although I should probably warn that it has a high proportion of Whedonesque snappy dialogue, which is a selling point for me, but may grate for some.

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Matthias and I had to spend most of yesterday doing stressful life admin, so we rewarded ourselves with a rewatch of one of my favourite films of all time: What We Do In The Shadows. I love it — and Taika Waititi — so much.

Tonight, we're heading off for Polish food at thirstyandhungrycambridge, one of my favourite places in this city. It will be a nice way to close out the weekend.

Comments

[schneefink]

I really enjoyed both of these books :D I read Musketeer Space last year, so my memory is a little fuzzy, but Sorcery of Thorns just about two weeks ago. I really enjoyed the magical libraries and demons setting, and the characters too and their dynamics. It's a fairly straight-forward book - the villain was immediately apparent, and none of the twists were that surprising - but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
It is nominated for Yuletide, so there might be more fic soon! (Currently there's two, both post-canon - and I'm writing one, but I'm too busy rn with Yuletide to finish it.)

[dolorosa_12]

I can always count on you to a) read the excellent fantasy novels that I've enjoyed and b) produce fic for for it! No rush to get this one done — I know all too well how Yuletide just consumes all writing energy at this tme of year — but I will look forward to reading it when it's ready.

You're right that Sorcery of Thorns is a pretty straightforward book, with easy-to-spot twists. As you say, the character dynamics are such that I'll forgive any plot problems. I have such a weakness for stories where characters on opposing sides have to put aside their differences and work towards common goals, and relationships that start out with massive power imbalances, so this book was right up my street!

Thanks for pointing me towards those fics on Ao3 — I'll go and check them out!

[umadoshi]

Yay for such good Yuletide progress! *^^*

[dolorosa_12]

Thank you! It certainly made me feel better about the somewhat daunting assignment!

[merit]

I didn't really care for Enchantment of Ravens so Sorcery of Thorns was a pleasant surprise. It had a lot more tropes I love though, so was easier to win me over.

I did read some discussion about if the library was too much like Discworld's library but I think the world is big enough for more books about magical libraries (and books). I've probably read nearly ten this year!

What We Do In The Shadows is great! I need to get around to trying the TV show.

[dolorosa_12]

That's interesting to hear about An Enchantment of Ravens — I've got it on hold in the library, but it hasn't come through yet, so at some point I will be reading it too. I'll be interested to see whether I share your opinion.

As schneefink said up above, Sorcery of Thorns is not exactly a surprising book — its plot twists are obvious, it's very tropey — but it was exactly my kind of fun. It's interesting that its library felt like Discworld's library, as to me the whole setup seemed much more evocative of Nix's Old Kingdom books, what with the necromancy and the barely-contained demons forced to serve humans, raging and chaotic when unbound.

The TV series of What We Do In The Shadows is wonderful! I'd been dubious, especially when I found out it was set in New York, and wasn't going to feature the original cast, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised.