NO, NO, NOOOOOOOO
Books just let it slip that Vin and Elend don't make it. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I understood Kelsier. I really did. It was a Sorahb moment. I can't think of ANYTHING that Vin/Elend would be able to accomplish in that way. so, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Okay, whining aside, this is what the post was supposed to be about before I found out about the tragic ending.
I'm more than halfway through Well of Ascension, and I have some observations about Twindyl's (sp? - Anyway I'll call her T.) instructions to Elend. Books says I should not be to harsh on T, but I am not being harsh, I would just like to point out some profiles of "great men" who weren't as stiff or aloof.
First off, She had to be that mean to Elend. Elend was so far to one side, that by swinging his pendulum completely to the other side, he would eventually find his own balance. There is something to be said for a king who does not dress so finely as to be way above the populace. However, I don't think Elend had the luxury of that situation. The Skaa needed a figure head, and he wasn't just impressing a small group of people. Though it was kind of sad to watch the slightly disheveled Elend disappear. It was kinda like watching cute little Sophos grow up, while it was good to see the growth, you miss the cuteness.
And Elend really couldn't start each sentence with, well, or um, or I think. He sounded like a confused puppy. He needed to learn how to express himself firmly. He needed to know when to not let anyone get away with any funny business around him.
Some of the things I disagree about: The crew and Elend's close friends could call him El and Elend in private if they wished, because I think that it keeps kings grounded to have people who don't bow and scrape to them. We're watching "The West Wing" which is a TV show about the inner workings of the Presidency. (It's a really good show, by the way!) Most of the "senior staff" of the White House (all the guys who meet with the President several times a day) have been with the President since the campaign. However, the President has gotten a slightly big head since his election, and uses his power for mere caprice at times. One night, he kept one staffer there till 2 am (The man was supposed to come in for work the next day at 5 am) talking about National Parks, and everytime the guy tried to leave, the President told him he wasn't done, sit down and listen. The President also made one of his staffers wear a baseball cap with the name of his school on it all day because she had "poked fun" at his school. Also telling her she had to sing the school song - just because he could! All the staffers call him "Mr. President." He needs someone to tell him to grow up, sometimes, which they can't, 'cuz they won't say that to the President.
Also, she needed to include a lesson on knowing when to draw the kingly line with his friends. Danric from Crown Duel always says that ruling begins as a partnership, and while T kept wanting Elend to get married for the image, she didn't really say how that would also be a great boon to him personally. Just having someone to "go home" and talk to at the end of the day would be a great support to Elend. Instead, Elend began treating everyone with that "I'm in control" air, and not recognizing the support he needed from friends and family.
Oh, and the Assembly version of Government does work, in Crown Duel, Danric uses a similar version of Government, where issues are presented to the "court" who later discusses it and makes decisions. Danric doesn't even talk alot during the meetings. However, Danric is working with a smaller group of "refined" nobles, and Elend was trying to put together a group of un-willing-to-work-together individuals.
So anyway, not picking on Twindyl, just pointing out some other things, and looking to discuss more about Well of Ascension, and tying all my favorite series together.
Sorry it's so long .....
~Bookworm
Okay, whining aside, this is what the post was supposed to be about before I found out about the tragic ending.
I'm more than halfway through Well of Ascension, and I have some observations about Twindyl's (sp? - Anyway I'll call her T.) instructions to Elend. Books says I should not be to harsh on T, but I am not being harsh, I would just like to point out some profiles of "great men" who weren't as stiff or aloof.
First off, She had to be that mean to Elend. Elend was so far to one side, that by swinging his pendulum completely to the other side, he would eventually find his own balance. There is something to be said for a king who does not dress so finely as to be way above the populace. However, I don't think Elend had the luxury of that situation. The Skaa needed a figure head, and he wasn't just impressing a small group of people. Though it was kind of sad to watch the slightly disheveled Elend disappear. It was kinda like watching cute little Sophos grow up, while it was good to see the growth, you miss the cuteness.
And Elend really couldn't start each sentence with, well, or um, or I think. He sounded like a confused puppy. He needed to learn how to express himself firmly. He needed to know when to not let anyone get away with any funny business around him.
Some of the things I disagree about: The crew and Elend's close friends could call him El and Elend in private if they wished, because I think that it keeps kings grounded to have people who don't bow and scrape to them. We're watching "The West Wing" which is a TV show about the inner workings of the Presidency. (It's a really good show, by the way!) Most of the "senior staff" of the White House (all the guys who meet with the President several times a day) have been with the President since the campaign. However, the President has gotten a slightly big head since his election, and uses his power for mere caprice at times. One night, he kept one staffer there till 2 am (The man was supposed to come in for work the next day at 5 am) talking about National Parks, and everytime the guy tried to leave, the President told him he wasn't done, sit down and listen. The President also made one of his staffers wear a baseball cap with the name of his school on it all day because she had "poked fun" at his school. Also telling her she had to sing the school song - just because he could! All the staffers call him "Mr. President." He needs someone to tell him to grow up, sometimes, which they can't, 'cuz they won't say that to the President.
Also, she needed to include a lesson on knowing when to draw the kingly line with his friends. Danric from Crown Duel always says that ruling begins as a partnership, and while T kept wanting Elend to get married for the image, she didn't really say how that would also be a great boon to him personally. Just having someone to "go home" and talk to at the end of the day would be a great support to Elend. Instead, Elend began treating everyone with that "I'm in control" air, and not recognizing the support he needed from friends and family.
Oh, and the Assembly version of Government does work, in Crown Duel, Danric uses a similar version of Government, where issues are presented to the "court" who later discusses it and makes decisions. Danric doesn't even talk alot during the meetings. However, Danric is working with a smaller group of "refined" nobles, and Elend was trying to put together a group of un-willing-to-work-together individuals.
So anyway, not picking on Twindyl, just pointing out some other things, and looking to discuss more about Well of Ascension, and tying all my favorite series together.
Sorry it's so long .....
~Bookworm