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mirrorshard2014-12-10 12:33 amRe-reading
I've just completed my first re-reading of Justice (and partway into Sword) and a couple of things in particular struck me.
First, I'd completely forgotten that the non-Radch language at the beginning of Justice explicitly genders Seivarden Vendaai and Anander Miaanai for us, and I realised that despite that, I'd been letting the default "her" colour things all the way through Sword. Characters we don't meet till later, on the other hand, I don't have images of one way or the other.
Second, when we see the original conversion of the ancillary unit that would become One Esk Nineteen, Justice of Toren thinks that that body didn't even know any interesting songs. This is making me really curious about the mechanics of the ancillary conversion process, and what remains. It's often asserted that the original person is dead, but of course Breq is not exactly a reliable source there.
First, I'd completely forgotten that the non-Radch language at the beginning of Justice explicitly genders Seivarden Vendaai and Anander Miaanai for us, and I realised that despite that, I'd been letting the default "her" colour things all the way through Sword. Characters we don't meet till later, on the other hand, I don't have images of one way or the other.
Second, when we see the original conversion of the ancillary unit that would become One Esk Nineteen, Justice of Toren thinks that that body didn't even know any interesting songs. This is making me really curious about the mechanics of the ancillary conversion process, and what remains. It's often asserted that the original person is dead, but of course Breq is not exactly a reliable source there.
archangelbeth2014-11-25 08:43 pm...apparently Earth celebrates the Genetalia Festival?
(Whose precise name I am blanking on just now, I fear.)
https://twitter.com/emccoy_writer/status/537420187122032640
With WINGS!
https://twitter.com/emccoy_writer/status/537420187122032640
With WINGS!
davidgillon2014-11-11 04:52 pmNew Ancillary Story, but there's a catch...
There's a chance to get an new Ancillary story by Ann Leckie, but it's tied-up in some unusual conditions.
Strange Horizons are holding a crowd-funder, if they get to $9000 (currently at $6500) they'll publish it. If they get to $13,000, they'll publish the second half.
Now I'm a fan of Ancillary Justice, and I've backed several anthology crowdfunders recently, but (and it may just be me and my loathing at feeling compelled to do anything) there's something about the two halves thing leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Are they really proposing to publish only half a story if they get to $9K but not $13K?
Strange Horizons are holding a crowd-funder, if they get to $9000 (currently at $6500) they'll publish it. If they get to $13,000, they'll publish the second half.
Now I'm a fan of Ancillary Justice, and I've backed several anthology crowdfunders recently, but (and it may just be me and my loathing at feeling compelled to do anything) there's something about the two halves thing leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Are they really proposing to publish only half a story if they get to $9K but not $13K?
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Radchaai children's literature
Prompted by a discussion with wychwood, who was reading G.A. Henty (prolific author of 19th-century boy's adventure novels, all manliness and Empire and the obvious superiority of English people.)
I said that there's definitely a Radchaai equivalent of those novels. Has to be. Except no manliness, just justice, propriety, benefit, and civilisation.
And this led to wondering about other Radchaai children's literature, and which books would fit in well with a few changes.
Thoughts?
wychwood, who was reading G.A. Henty (prolific author of 19th-century boy's adventure novels, all manliness and Empire and the obvious superiority of English people.)I said that there's definitely a Radchaai equivalent of those novels. Has to be. Except no manliness, just justice, propriety, benefit, and civilisation.
And this led to wondering about other Radchaai children's literature, and which books would fit in well with a few changes.
Thoughts?
(no subject)
I committed 7,000 words of spoilery essay on Ancillary Sword at my DW last week, looking at cycles of silencing/oppression (one lens): Ancillary Sword: The all-piercing gun.
fadeaccompli2014-10-22 03:42 pmAncillary Justice Gets Optioned For TV
...as explained on Leckie's blog. Usually I'm more terrified than enthused when a book I like gets optioned for any other medium, knowing how many ways it can be messed up, but she's clearly already thought about that and what sorts of things to talk about.
And maybe it'll come to nothing. But maybe it'll come to something awesome, and the Radch Imperium will be the hot new scifi show that we can all hipster about being into before it got to TV. Anyway. I'm enthused.
And maybe it'll come to nothing. But maybe it'll come to something awesome, and the Radch Imperium will be the hot new scifi show that we can all hipster about being into before it got to TV. Anyway. I'm enthused.
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Ancillary Sword discussion thread!
Because, yep, it's out tomorrow. :-) There will be spoilers in comments.
And before it gets to us... thoughts on the first three chapters (if you've read 'em)?
ALSO it is probably worth noticing - in case any of you don't subscribe to![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png)
annleckie_feed - that Ann Leckie is doing a Reddit Ask Me Anything, with some questions (left in comments at her blog) already answered in the body of the post! I am going to try not to hit refresh endlessly...
And before it gets to us... thoughts on the first three chapters (if you've read 'em)?
ALSO it is probably worth noticing - in case any of you don't subscribe to
annleckie_feed - that Ann Leckie is doing a Reddit Ask Me Anything, with some questions (left in comments at her blog) already answered in the body of the post! I am going to try not to hit refresh endlessly...Entry tags:
Favourite quotes?
p. 88, paperback version:
I paused in my reading to savour these statements for quite some time. It was such a wonderful antidote to the commonly espoused belief that emotions always cloud objective judgment, that "being emotional" precludes the ability to apply logic and rational thought. It makes sense. And, if I dare say so, it feels right. I find that an examination of my emotions enhances and clarifies my judgment rather than obscuring it.
As an aside, it has taken me ages to read this book, but not for the usual full-time-job-and-a-kid reason, which has cut down severely on my long-form reading. Instead, it's because it kept giving me these moments when I want to sit and think over a scene and enjoy their pleasurable effects on my brain.
What are some lines that gave you pause? What did they inspire in you?
Without feelings insignificant decisions become excruciating attempts to compare endless arrays of inconsequential things. It's just easier to handle those with emotions.
I paused in my reading to savour these statements for quite some time. It was such a wonderful antidote to the commonly espoused belief that emotions always cloud objective judgment, that "being emotional" precludes the ability to apply logic and rational thought. It makes sense. And, if I dare say so, it feels right. I find that an examination of my emotions enhances and clarifies my judgment rather than obscuring it.
As an aside, it has taken me ages to read this book, but not for the usual full-time-job-and-a-kid reason, which has cut down severely on my long-form reading. Instead, it's because it kept giving me these moments when I want to sit and think over a scene and enjoy their pleasurable effects on my brain.
What are some lines that gave you pause? What did they inspire in you?
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First three chapters!!!
You know I mentioned that (with geographical restrictions in place) if you have pre-ordered Ancillary Sword you could order a free signed bookplate?
Yeah, well if you do the thing you also get advance access to the second and third chapters of AS, in addition to chapter 1. JUST SAYING.
(I have read it. I have MANY FEELINGS. How do people feel about me making a post for spoilery discussion pre-actual-release?)
Yeah, well if you do the thing you also get advance access to the second and third chapters of AS, in addition to chapter 1. JUST SAYING.
(I have read it. I have MANY FEELINGS. How do people feel about me making a post for spoilery discussion pre-actual-release?)
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Yuletide
I made a Yuletide nomination for "Imperial Radch - Ann Leckie" which is apparently the canonical tag on the AO3. There are only 3 works on the AO3 at the moment, so I'm hoping more come about. At least one other person has nominated it, according to the unofficial spreadsheet, which cheers me.
There are only 3 canonical characters on the AO3: JoT One Esk 19 | Breq, Anaander Mianaai, Seivarden Vendaai.
If I want to nominate Lieutenants Awn or Skaaiat I need to add them, which means I want to get their names right for future use on AO3. I can't remember if either of them have a fuller name. Before I do another reread (as if I needed the excuse), does anyone know off the top of their head? I have until 6pm UTC on 29th September to make any changes to my nominations.
There are only 3 canonical characters on the AO3: JoT One Esk 19 | Breq, Anaander Mianaai, Seivarden Vendaai.
If I want to nominate Lieutenants Awn or Skaaiat I need to add them, which means I want to get their names right for future use on AO3. I can't remember if either of them have a fuller name. Before I do another reread (as if I needed the excuse), does anyone know off the top of their head? I have until 6pm UTC on 29th September to make any changes to my nominations.
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Tiny icons!
I realised I wanted an icon for the community, so I did some very quick-and-dirty iconification of the book covers :-)
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And on a completely different note...
... I'm hosting a discussion of the politics of pronouns in the Imperial Radch over at my journal; it's sprawled to include speculation regarding Anaander Mianaai's origins and the Byzantine empire, among other topics! I would love for you to join in. :-)
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Things currently of interest!
- Subterranean Press will be releasing a limited-edition Ancillary Justice hardcover
- Chapter 1 of Ancillary Sword is available for free on the Orbit website!
- if you let Ann Leckie know you've pre-ordered AS, you can get a free signed bookplate (if you're in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, or New Zealand)
- ... and if you'd rather get your AS kicks at a slower rate, it's being posted one sentence per day at Ann Leckie's blog (syndicated on DW as annleckie_feed), from a week ago up til release date (October 7th!)