Chris Phoenix
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
A PG-rated version of Sharing Knife would be readable by any kid who could handle (for example) Wings of Fire. I'm reading large excerpts to my kid already (and Knife Children unedited). She especially likes the malice-kill scenes. Would you consider producing such a thing? I'd buy it, and I suspect I'm far from the only parent who would.
Lois McMaster Bujold
I can't imagine bowdlerizing my own work. I'm also not sure what it is you'd want left out -- sexual situations, I assume, but since the tale starts with an unplanned pregnancy and miscarriage, and since Fawn's (and Dag's) recovery and healing with each other very much includes sexual and emotional elements that take place in the few intimate scenes, that would sort of rip the center out of key themes.
You don't say how old your kid is. The books were never written for a grade-school audience -- high school and up, if anyone'd ever asked me. Mastering, or at least getting an initial grip on, adult sexuality is part of the work of adolescence, as is (initial) identity formation, so those parts of Fawn's journey are very pertinent to that age group. (I remember, doesn't anyone else...?)
Anyway, good for you as a parent reading to your kid, and taking your own responsibility for filtering.
Ta, L.
I can't imagine bowdlerizing my own work. I'm also not sure what it is you'd want left out -- sexual situations, I assume, but since the tale starts with an unplanned pregnancy and miscarriage, and since Fawn's (and Dag's) recovery and healing with each other very much includes sexual and emotional elements that take place in the few intimate scenes, that would sort of rip the center out of key themes.
You don't say how old your kid is. The books were never written for a grade-school audience -- high school and up, if anyone'd ever asked me. Mastering, or at least getting an initial grip on, adult sexuality is part of the work of adolescence, as is (initial) identity formation, so those parts of Fawn's journey are very pertinent to that age group. (I remember, doesn't anyone else...?)
Anyway, good for you as a parent reading to your kid, and taking your own responsibility for filtering.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Erik
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hi Lois, is there a possible future for a next Miles Vorkosigan book?
Evan Moore
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Dear Lois, Thank you so much for writing a series which has brought me-and so many others-so much enjoyment over the years. Recently, I learned about Richard J. Flaherty, shortest infantryman in US Army history, standing at 4'9. Reading about him, I was struck with a distinct Milesian vibe. Was any of Miles' character/appearance based on Capt Flaherty? Thank you!
J. W.
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I was looking at the cover of "The Physicians of Vilnoc" and realized it is difficult to have two hands in the position shown. The best I could find is two people standing side by side facing opposite directions (you could also have someone standing besides someone hung by their heels). Was this a deliberate choice?
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