Jerri
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I have been re-reading Penric's Demon and just noticed this sentence: "Sorcerer had certainly not been on Pen's former list of scholarly ambitions, but then, neither had theologian, divine, physician, teacher, lawyer or any other high trade . . ." Then I noticed that with the possible exception of lawyer, Pen has now studied/become all of the above. Did you realize this when you first invented Penric and Des?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Not consciously. But I was pleased by the serendipity, when I noticed it.
Divine and therefore theologian does follow in lockstep to becoming a trained Temple sorcerer. Physician was a less-standard bonus. Pen will likely duck lawyering.
The original term "doctor", which dates back to the medieval university system, actually means "teacher", not "physician". (No one will have noticed that I never use the term doctor for 5GU medicos.) A doctorate was actually a license to teach in any Church-accredited institution throughout Europe. An oath-sworn Temple divine has something of the same status, someone to be trusted with teaching.
Ta, L.
Not consciously. But I was pleased by the serendipity, when I noticed it.
Divine and therefore theologian does follow in lockstep to becoming a trained Temple sorcerer. Physician was a less-standard bonus. Pen will likely duck lawyering.
The original term "doctor", which dates back to the medieval university system, actually means "teacher", not "physician". (No one will have noticed that I never use the term doctor for 5GU medicos.) A doctorate was actually a license to teach in any Church-accredited institution throughout Europe. An oath-sworn Temple divine has something of the same status, someone to be trusted with teaching.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Kate Davenport
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Thank you for Demon Daughter. I had wondered how you would tell if a new demon (infested?) a young child. I forgot about the fires. LOL. My question is: Do you think Penric is known/remembered as a person in Cazaril's time? Or is he just an author on useful books in the chapter libraries?
Marcus Frödin
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Not so much a question but I’m coming up on the end of the Vorkosigan saga and am already feeling an intense longing for more books that I haven’t felt since I finished the Culture series. So just a plea from a recent but now steadfast fan for more Miles please if one could wish? :-)
Christine
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I've always wondered what makes a story 'good.' What ways do you think would make a story 'good' (that is, why would people choose such a story over others)? Do you think they would say because of the author's excellent writing skills or maybe simply the message?
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