Of Bujold and Babies

Finished Curse of Chalion. Not so dusty. Not something I'm likely to reread, or even keep on the shelves, but at the end of the day it registered decidedly on this side of Worth Reading ie Not A Waste of Time: and of how many books or indeed manga can I say that with confidence? Manga at least exercises my Japanese, but otherwise its 'new and useful' content is about as low as most English fantasy. It's just a faster read. Curse also had one or two manga moments, for lack of another term, that I'd like to have seen expanded, in amongst the rather bland main characters and action. Imagine what Higuri You would make of suspending the king's long-time lover head downwards over a vat of water in the bowels of the castle: to say nothing of the Roknarian Saint and his maimed umm whatever he was. Yaoi fanservice, guys: if shounen manga can do it, why can't American fantasy? (FTR the evil galley-master and the pretty young captive bit was handled to my perfect satisfaction.)

Now I may forge on with Paladin of Souls. And see if it says anything as useful about the habits (or possibly habituation) of demonkind as Ima Ichiko's 'You wouldn't expect someone to ask for hundred dollars in return for the loan of an eraser, but a youkai might. Their value system is just *different*.' ( Cut for mild v 14 spoilers )

( Infantile discourse )