Mystery and fantasy
I was considering ltlj's ebay auction (and reminding myself that my Lindsey Davis books are temporarily packed and I'm not buying, really!) and I started thinking about a type in detective fiction: the proud and/or stubborn near-loser, frequently a depressed alcoholic. What is it with this type in detective literature? Holmes had his weakness for cocaine; the LA detectives of pulp always seem to be alcoholics; Falco's pride is possibly his worst enemy.
Come to think of it, the aristocratic investigator (Roderick Alleyn in Ngaio Marsh's novels, Lord Peter Wimsey in Dorothy Sayers') also seems to be a type.
Hmm. Is this just a genre that runs to trends? Opinions, anyone?
Also, it's Don's fault I got hooked on Zelazny's Amber books, but I'm noticing something interesting on re-reading 'em: the guys have bastard children cropping up constantly, and are constantly contesting for the throne. The women, however, don't seem to do either. I don't find anything suggesting women can't take the throne, but none of them seem to try. Do they just not think they can win the duels, or is this a lack on the author's part? And Flora, at least, seems to jump anything that moves; Llewella, in the later books, isn't precisely sexless; and Fiona's definitely interested in Mandor... but I don't hear of any bastard children for them, or legitimate for that matter.
Of the four Princesses of Amber we meet, the only one I can imagine trying for the throne is Fiona -- but I think she'd more likely try than half her brothers. And do a better job as ruler. Is it just me? Anyone have any ideas what the deal was?
Come to think of it, the aristocratic investigator (Roderick Alleyn in Ngaio Marsh's novels, Lord Peter Wimsey in Dorothy Sayers') also seems to be a type.
Hmm. Is this just a genre that runs to trends? Opinions, anyone?
Also, it's Don's fault I got hooked on Zelazny's Amber books, but I'm noticing something interesting on re-reading 'em: the guys have bastard children cropping up constantly, and are constantly contesting for the throne. The women, however, don't seem to do either. I don't find anything suggesting women can't take the throne, but none of them seem to try. Do they just not think they can win the duels, or is this a lack on the author's part? And Flora, at least, seems to jump anything that moves; Llewella, in the later books, isn't precisely sexless; and Fiona's definitely interested in Mandor... but I don't hear of any bastard children for them, or legitimate for that matter.
Of the four Princesses of Amber we meet, the only one I can imagine trying for the throne is Fiona -- but I think she'd more likely try than half her brothers. And do a better job as ruler. Is it just me? Anyone have any ideas what the deal was?