The Lies of Locke Lamora
question
Language and humor in the book
Sheun
Jul 17, 2012 11:42AM
There was more swearing in this book than I thought possible but at the same time it seemed to go so well with the humour and I don’t think Scott Lynch could have done it in a better way. It just seems to flesh out the characters, both major and minor, in a way that I haven’t seen in any other book. Some authors throw in the occasional curse word here and there to give their characters a bit of substance but I have seen cases where this is overdone. One such example would be in Karen Miller’s kingmaker/breaker series when Morg was introduced. I think he was the only character in the whole freaking book who swore and I think most of it was in his head. He just kept repeating “bitch, slut, whore” “bitch, slut, whore” like a mantra so much so that in the end it did not make him seem like the personification of great evil but more of a man jilted on his wedding day.
But this is not the case in Scotts books his writing style makes it seem so natural and that was what probably made the book a lot more engaging for me.
What I’m asking is do you guys have any examples of authors who use this type of tone superbly or really badly and do you see in the future authors attempting to be as daring as Scott and create a language which is ready to embrace a more…colourful vocabulary?.
But this is not the case in Scotts books his writing style makes it seem so natural and that was what probably made the book a lot more engaging for me.
What I’m asking is do you guys have any examples of authors who use this type of tone superbly or really badly and do you see in the future authors attempting to be as daring as Scott and create a language which is ready to embrace a more…colourful vocabulary?.
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This book is mild in language compared to street lit. I dont read street lit but have plenty of friends who do and sometimes when they r discussing the books and they repeat what is in the book i cant believe my ears. But i would expect it based on the fact that those books r about people who run the street and the same can be said about locke. but although i thought this book was overrated their were moments that made me lol. i agree though with u as long as the language suits the character and not overdone it really add alot to the book. If i recall the millenium series can get quite graphic and have foul language.
I thought the choice and frequency of language in this book was perfect. It didn't offend me at all and I found it a very honest way for the author to write because it just wouldn't have been the same if people like the Gentlemen Bastards didn't swear and talk the way they did.
This was by far the best book I have ever read and was very sorry when it came to an end.
I haven't read any other books similar as far as language use goes but if other authors do it as well as Scott Lynch then I say good on them.
This was by far the best book I have ever read and was very sorry when it came to an end.
I haven't read any other books similar as far as language use goes but if other authors do it as well as Scott Lynch then I say good on them.
I love the swearing because, like you all said, it went well with the humor and the characters. The only problem is that I ended up asking myself a few times: aren't they 10 year-olds? The language was so mature that I felt like I was reading about adult but at the most (because age became confusing, what with the flashbacks and all) they are 13 ... and I got that from the second book when there is mention of a thirteenth birthday "under the moon".
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