Lois’s answer to “[SPOILER FOR KNOT OF SHADOWS] As I read about murder miracles (er, “death miracles,” sorry, that…” > Likes and Comments

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Pierre-Alexandre Sicart I did read The Curse of Chalion, in April 2018, but my memory has become so bad (it started degrading sharply in 2013/2014, which is why in 2015 I started listing the books I’d just finished reading) that I couldn’t remember Fonsa the Fairly-Wise and the Golden General. Nevertheless, I too would be curious to learn what other readers think would happen in the scenarios I sketched. I’d say that if invading rulers routinely died of death miracle, even those who don’t see themselves as villains (which, as you pointed out, would be all of them) would be more reluctant to start a war. Also, you speak of good/great souls, but what is a great soul? Is a man who changes the world great, even if what he did wasn’t good?

If I’d known you were here since 2012, I’d have sent you so many questions after I finished each of your books….
Why do you look so relieved??

(Lois McMaster Bujold’s next book: The Curse of Questions.)


message 2: by Lois (new)

Lois Bujold I would say the gods don't judge important changes in the world by political standards at all, The prostitute mother of the orphans of Raspay was a person no political writer would ever have even heard of, but she was certainly a Best-Beloved Great Soul of her god.

(Though, given the medieval traditions of Saints' Tales, there may be a whole other genre of theological history of the world with a very different slant and set of subjects.)

Ta, L.


message 3: by Critter (new)

Critter I always have to wonder why the Quadrene believers chance any of the lives/careers, like pirate, that have a high potential to get them picked by the fifth god, given that they absolutely know their gods are real and generally who gets taken by which god when they die, in broad strokes, at least. I know the Quadrene priests often diddle the results of the funeral rites, which might blunt the perception of risk, but still. Guess human nature is human nature...


Pierre-Alexandre Sicart Do the Quadrenes believe that the Bastard, who they think isn't a god, can take them when they die?


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