Wonderful! And I want some khagavar right now!coraldawnMay 7 2006, 19:54:13 UTC
Joyeee, this is so good! I love it! I love the set-up - new city in Persia, exotic foods that the average dour Macedonian is suspicious about, yearning for fresh roast boar, the host falling over himself to please the Great King! Then there are so many hilarious details in the first half - Euphemius' consternation as he is translating and staring away from the "bug-eyes" and at a knot in the wood, the Companions' trying to pass off their khagavar to each other, the two thousand pound fish, the rainbow-colored khagavar and the host's utter amazement at how Alexander digs into it!!
Then there is the interlude of Alexander missing Hephaistion at dinner and his mood growing darker. How many times must this have happened? Anaxarchus is very well written; given that episode from Plutarch, I think you described his mindset perfectly!
The last part is set in a different but very beautiful mood. Alexander and Hephaistion's deep friendship and love comes across in such nice touches. The maps with their own secret shorthand (loved that idea) that Hephaistion presents to Alexander regularly; Alexander knowing that Hephaistion likes fish and ordering it for him especially. Not silks or jewels but ordinary everyday things that are of deep meaning only to loved ones. Hephaistion doing everything that he does, including his missions, only for Alexander's dreams - and Alexander knowing that well.
And may I just end by saying that I have never before seen Hephaistion's hair color described as "the deep, rich color of the very heart of a fire." Superb imagery... Thank you!
Re: Wonderful! And I want some khagavar right now!joyeeeMay 8 2006, 04:00:44 UTC
Thank YOU so very much for posting the challenge! And what a wonderful response, thank you thank you thank you! You know, the Beluga sturgeon really reaches 2000 pounds or over? I can't imagine how big that would be . . . When I posted in fanfiction.net I had to read it over several times to make sure the site didn't mess up the formatting (it's done that before), and along the way I made a few little changes here and there. I fixed the lj entry accordingly, too. Nothing major - except that I changed the line about Hephaestion's hair; with "flame" instead of "fire" I thought the rhythm sounded a little better. I hope that doesn't ruin it for you!!!
Then there is the interlude of Alexander missing Hephaistion at dinner and his mood growing darker. How many times must this have happened? Anaxarchus is very well written; given that episode from Plutarch, I think you described his mindset perfectly!
The last part is set in a different but very beautiful mood. Alexander and Hephaistion's deep friendship and love comes across in such nice touches. The maps with their own secret shorthand (loved that idea) that Hephaistion presents to Alexander regularly; Alexander knowing that Hephaistion likes fish and ordering it for him especially. Not silks or jewels but ordinary everyday things that are of deep meaning only to loved ones. Hephaistion doing everything that he does, including his missions, only for Alexander's dreams - and Alexander knowing that well.
And may I just end by saying that I have never before seen Hephaistion's hair color described as "the deep, rich color of the very heart of a fire." Superb imagery... Thank you!
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You know, the Beluga sturgeon really reaches 2000 pounds or over? I can't imagine how big that would be . . .
When I posted in fanfiction.net I had to read it over several times to make sure the site didn't mess up the formatting (it's done that before), and along the way I made a few little changes here and there. I fixed the lj entry accordingly, too. Nothing major - except that I changed the line about Hephaestion's hair; with "flame" instead of "fire" I thought the rhythm sounded a little better. I hope that doesn't ruin it for you!!!
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hugs
;0)
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But anyway, any reviews are always very welcome, just like roasts and caviar. Thanks!
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