Greg (adds 2 TBR list daily) Hersom
asked
Jonathan French:
This question contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Loved The Grey Bastards but I have one question. I think you explained it in the book but I think I missed it; why are there so many of these half-orcs running around? (hide spoiler)]
Jonathan French
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Greg, thanks for the question! Let's see if I can answer it while staying Goodreads appropriate. Couple of things to keep in mind: Orcs are sexual predators. Their seed is strong, so most women unfortunate enough to encounter them will conceive and cannot rid themselves of the pregnancy. There are always orcs in the Lots, even if just in small groups, so the frequency of attacks is high.
I also don't know that I would say there are "so many". When you consider that there are only 8 half-orc hoofs and most of them have less than 20 sworn members, (plus perhaps double the amount of hopefuls) that only leaves a few hundred mongrels. Add in free-riders and you have far fewer than 1000 roaming all of the Lots. Keep in mind, while male half-orcs are sterile, the females aren't. They can breed with humans (producing frailings like Hoodwink, Grocer and Slivers). Not to mention thrice-bloods...
Hope that answered it for you! (hide spoiler)]
I also don't know that I would say there are "so many". When you consider that there are only 8 half-orc hoofs and most of them have less than 20 sworn members, (plus perhaps double the amount of hopefuls) that only leaves a few hundred mongrels. Add in free-riders and you have far fewer than 1000 roaming all of the Lots. Keep in mind, while male half-orcs are sterile, the females aren't. They can breed with humans (producing frailings like Hoodwink, Grocer and Slivers). Not to mention thrice-bloods...
Hope that answered it for you! (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Reader
asked
Jonathan French:
Not a question, but rather a comment. I'm an Army retiree living in Tallahassee, FL and recently bought a German translation of the " The Grey Bastards" (Die Grauen Bastarde) while traveling through my mom's hometown of Heidelberg, Germany. Not previously familiar with either your name or your work, I bought it on a lark to force myself to practice my German comprehension. I ended up loving it. German or English?
David James
asked
Jonathan French:
I just finished reading The True Bastards and it was bittersweet. It's one of my favourite books that I've ever read and I didn't want it to end. What are some of your main influences when it comes to creating characters? Also, which authors are your main influences when it comes to writing? Keep up the fantastic work and I can't wait to see what you come out with next!
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