Reave the Just and other tales - First Impressions
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:15 pm
I'm more than halfway through my first read of this collection of short stories by Donaldson, having read from Reave the Just through to Penance. I'm posting what I think of the stories here. Spoilers included, so be warned.
One thing which interests me is the fact that, apart from Reave the Just, all the stories I have read so far have been written in the first person. Before this I had not read any of Donaldson's work in this perspective.
Reave the Just: An interesting story, with good look at the power of ideas, and suggestion. Reave takes no overly active role in the redemption of these characters; rather, he uses suggestion to impel them toward their own salvation, and in the end, they free themselves. A very interesting story, but I don't consider it one of SRDs best works - something about the writing just lacks the style and impression of other works of SRD that I have read.
The Djinn Who Watches Over The Accursed: This is one story which does not seem to have the underlying themes I am used to finding in SRDs work, or at least does not explore them as deeply. In essence, it comes across as simply the story of this man, Fetim, learning how to live with his curse. Well-written, the only part of this I disliked was the Djinn's mode of speech on the early occasions in whixh he addressed Fetim - it didn't seem to fit, for some reason.
The Killing Stroke: I think I enjoyed this one too much for a critical analysis. I will say this much, however: Brilliant.
The Kings of Tarshish Shall Bring Gifts: An interesting and occasionally disturbing insight into what happens when a man remembers his dreams so fully, so vividly, that all waking life is dulled and empty in comparison. Despite his spoiled nature, his vexation, and his cruelty, I find myself able to feel sorry for the tyrant, who did not choose to remember his dreams, and only sought to find ways to make his waking life worthy of them. Another great example of Donaldson's ability to give us insight into human nature.
Penance: I just finished this one a few minutes ago. Powerful and compelling, this one is a tale of redemption, and acceptance. There were some incongruities, however. It seemed to me that the power and vividity of the main part of the story were not present in the earlier pages - before Scriven began his tale. Also, the fact that SRD continued his usual mode of language and description when telling Scriven's tale belied the supposed fact that this story was a recitation by the narrator; it did not seem a natural way of speaking for this man commanded to tell his tale. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the next tale.
One thing which interests me is the fact that, apart from Reave the Just, all the stories I have read so far have been written in the first person. Before this I had not read any of Donaldson's work in this perspective.
Reave the Just: An interesting story, with good look at the power of ideas, and suggestion. Reave takes no overly active role in the redemption of these characters; rather, he uses suggestion to impel them toward their own salvation, and in the end, they free themselves. A very interesting story, but I don't consider it one of SRDs best works - something about the writing just lacks the style and impression of other works of SRD that I have read.
The Djinn Who Watches Over The Accursed: This is one story which does not seem to have the underlying themes I am used to finding in SRDs work, or at least does not explore them as deeply. In essence, it comes across as simply the story of this man, Fetim, learning how to live with his curse. Well-written, the only part of this I disliked was the Djinn's mode of speech on the early occasions in whixh he addressed Fetim - it didn't seem to fit, for some reason.
The Killing Stroke: I think I enjoyed this one too much for a critical analysis. I will say this much, however: Brilliant.
The Kings of Tarshish Shall Bring Gifts: An interesting and occasionally disturbing insight into what happens when a man remembers his dreams so fully, so vividly, that all waking life is dulled and empty in comparison. Despite his spoiled nature, his vexation, and his cruelty, I find myself able to feel sorry for the tyrant, who did not choose to remember his dreams, and only sought to find ways to make his waking life worthy of them. Another great example of Donaldson's ability to give us insight into human nature.
Penance: I just finished this one a few minutes ago. Powerful and compelling, this one is a tale of redemption, and acceptance. There were some incongruities, however. It seemed to me that the power and vividity of the main part of the story were not present in the earlier pages - before Scriven began his tale. Also, the fact that SRD continued his usual mode of language and description when telling Scriven's tale belied the supposed fact that this story was a recitation by the narrator; it did not seem a natural way of speaking for this man commanded to tell his tale. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the next tale.