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August 18, 2004

Language and Some New Books « Stuff Important to Me »

I love the English language. My appreciation for it has grown even stronger through blogging, and through mastering Chinese-Mandarin.

I just made an intentionally-vague comment in an email, eliciting laughter...could have easily elicited curses, but I made an educated judgment about the character and intelligence of the recipient and was right.

Anyway, I nearly asked her if she had read any Steven Brust, particularly the series written in the style of Alexander Dumas, starting with The Phoenix Guards. But then I thought, why not bring this up with everyone?

Because Mr. Brust recently came out with a complete trilogy in that same series. Unbelievable! Unbelievably good! It ties in both the historical and "modern" time periods of Drageara through a tale set in the Interregnum, and even features a character from a story set in modern-day Earth: Gypsy. ...makes me wonder if we'll see Cowboy Feng or Agyar drop in...

...but anyway, the language in the 'historical' books makes one love the intracacies of English, and makes one want to use it in conversation with the unknowing, regardless (and probably also because) of the consternation and puzzlement it may engender.

I don't often frequent bookstores. It's possible the books were published more than a year apart...but for me, all three are out at the same time from my viewpoint. Sure, the last is not yet in paperback, but probably will be soon. I couldn't ask for better timing.

If you enjoy fantasy or even merely don't mind fantasy but love good writing, go pick up something by Steven Brust. It might not be what you expect, but it will be excellent. I promise.

Posted by Nathan at 07:12 AM | Comments (4)
Comments

Brust has been one of my favorite authors for a long time, but if you really want to be knocked off your chair, find a copy of his long-forgotten masterpiece To Reign In Hell. The term tour de force was coined for precisely that book.

Posted by: Francis W. Porretto at August 18, 2004 01:59 PM

I own it. I purchased it when it came out. I've been reading him since his first novel, and own everything he's published. Including the excellent book The Brokedown Palace.

But my personal favorite is The Sun, The Moon, The Stars.

Posted by: Nathan at August 18, 2004 02:26 PM

To Reign In Hell asks the best question I've ever heard about Satan, i.e., "How can someone that intelligent take on infinite power?" Someday I'll ask a theologian.

Yours,
Wince

Posted by: Wince and Nod at August 19, 2004 03:46 PM

Who says he was that intelligent?

Posted by: nathan at August 19, 2004 03:51 PM
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