Any queer man in fiction can’t have a healthy relationship. All they know is pining, divorce, cause the apocalypse, wear silly costume, fight they homo boyfriend, trauma, be disastrous, eat hot chip & lie.
Something that is incredibly apparent about the inheritance cycle is it’s characters, but I would argue that it’s the minor and side characters that really shine through. Paolini’s ability to take a small scene and fill it with so much detail and intrigue for characters we may never meet again. Fredric is a particular favourite of mine even if he’s only barely in I think two scenes. And even for the minor characters we do see many times, such as the carvahall villagers, each of them is distinct and unique, and so believable. Details such as Gertrude joining Eragon when he was healing Hope really speak to how well Paolini understands and respects the culture and needs of people, and while I obviously don’t know him personally it’s obvious from his writing that he has an appreciation for cultures from our real world too, and that they inform his work. Because of course, a medieval style small village in a small valley far removed from most other cities and people aside from a few passing traders is going to have a rich and unique culture, and Gertrude as the local healer and spiritual leader of the village is simply not going to let Eragon, a young boy who looks more elf than human run off with a newborn baby to perform magic on her unsupervised, even if it is for healing. The people of carvahall, especially the women, especially the mother, would need reassurance and trust that the child is safe and well. So it makes sense that they sent their wisest woman in to ensure all is well. Yes it wears its influences on its sleeve, but there is deep nuance and profound maturity here that I would never expect from a young male fantasy author.
If you couldn’t tell, I’m about to start re-reading the series, so expect some more IC posts in the coming days
my olympics suggestion is that they should have an event where they draw two random teams and a random sport from a hat or something so you have like. the chinese women's skateboarding team and the lithuanian men's shooting team competing in a field hockey match
You know, the Elon Husk recklessly cutting so many jobs from the federal government has really reminded me of just how much the government does.
A lot of people ask “what has the government ever done for me?” and it turns out that well until like two weeks ago when the Husk cut so many people from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau it was making companies that charged you random illegal charges refund you without you even noticing and suing companies that break the law
‘But you are a dwarf, and dwarves are strange folk. I do not like this place, and I shall like it no more by the light of the day. But you comfort me, Gimli, and I am glad to have you standing nigh with your stout legs and your hard axe.’
I think this was Legolas trying to flirt with Gimli and I think it’s working.
I adore the "Merlin doesn't realize Arthur's counting him because he doesn't understand nobles" fics however I would love to see a reverse on this.
Arthur is so used to courtship being about expensive gifts and grand gestures amongst the nobles that he has no idea Merlin's been courting him in the more simple way people do in Ealdor. Things like cooking for your intended, handmade gifts, helping them with tasks around the village, and using a split coin as a proposal instead of a ring. By the time Arthur realises anything Merlin already considers them married
I think part of why I can’t get into any Tolkien stuff outside of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit is because I immediately lose interest once the gay little hobbits stop being center-stage. “The main hero is CeleFinElfidor the Bold, an immortal warrior who slew three thousand balrogs with a song” makes me go to sleep. but “his name was Blorbo Boffin and his neighbors said he was a queer creature who liked to eat strawberries” is Intriguing. Instantly you’re invested. You immediately see the vision
Arya pasted “Durza” into all the dictionaries and thesauruses she and Glen have in the flat for the definition of Sadist and Glen doesn’t discover it till like…the next time Eragon and Co are in Ellesméra for war resupply.
Glen: Really?
Arya: *looks up sees what he’s showing her, starts giggling* Hey, at least I think I’m funny.
Banner image courtesy of NASA (butterfly nebula)
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