Kevin's Watch

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2005 9:53 pm**

First let me say I have tried searching the forum for this already (someone must have asked this question before).

As i've found out from other posts (and I've always assumed this as well) SRD's choice of names in TCTC wasn't random. He didn't pull out a dictionary, see a cool word and decide to name something after it. In general, all of his name choices seem apt. We have great names like Berek and Loric. And yet, amongst all these great fantasy names we have....
Kevin.
When I first read the chronicles, I didn't really notice that "Kevin" didn't quite seem to fit, that it wasn't "fantasy" enough. However, when i had friends read TCTC, that was the first thing they noticed.
Does anyone know why SRD chose the name Kevin? From the research I've done on my own, it seems Kevin means "genlte and lovable," which doesn't quite seem to fit the character.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2005 10:11 pm**

I remember SRD saying in the Gradual Interview that Kevin's name just popped into his head while writing and there isn't anything deep to it. I might normally look up the exact quote on www.stephenrdonaldson.com, but I'm writing this at my parents' and the dial-up connection here is really bad even for dial-up standards.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2005 10:37 pm**

SD said:

i am occasionally shocked by people who feel the name kevin doesn't fit in fantasy/The simple truth is:i dont feel the discrepancy myself/if i had ever once imagined that my readers would feel kevins name doesn't fit, i would have changed to a different name in a heartbeat

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2005 10:43 pm**

That's really interesting. I can certainly see how that would be plausible. I always thought Kevin was a bit odd, but I assumed it was included to make the Land seem more like Covenant's delusion (i.e. I sort of thought SRD intentionally incorporated non-fantasy, real-world terms in the Land to make it seem more like the fruit of delusion. example: Kevin, Elohim)

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2005 4:19 am**

my brother's name is Kevin. and it is fun to picture him in the Chronicles. but the name Kevin doesn't really fit, I always imagined he had come from our world.

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2005 4:20 am**

Didn't bother me.

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2005 11:13 am**

It seemed a little out of place to start with, but I soon got used to it. I didn't give any thought to meaning or deliberate choice, firstly because it's just a name, and secondly because if I find myself analysing like that, I'm not very engrossed in the book. I was engrossed in LFB.

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2005 12:07 pm**

I figured Kevin was just one of those names like Lena and Elena.

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 1:47 am**

I work with a guy named Kevin, I always call him Ligh Lord KEvin; he deosn't get it, but he likes the nickname.

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 2:53 am**

drew wrote:I work with a guy named Kevin, I always call him Ligh Lord KEvin; he deosn't get it, but he likes the nickname.

I have a cousin named Kevin. Maybe I should try the same with him.

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 2:19 pm**

Kevin is just such an all-around awesome name that it should be used wherever and whenever possible.

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 2:55 pm**

drew wrote:I work with a guy named Kevin, I always call him Ligh Lord KEvin; he deosn't get it, but he likes the nickname.

Would he be less flattered if he knew you liken him to someone who destroyed everything in a fit of despair?

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 3:10 pm**

CovenantJr wrote:
drew wrote:I work with a guy named Kevin, I always call him Ligh Lord KEvin; he deosn't get it, but he likes the nickname.
Would he be less flattered if he knew you liken him to someone who destroyed everything in a fit of despair?

Hell we're all like that at work.

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 3:26 pm**

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 6:51 pm**

Interesting thoughts from everyone. My reaction to Kevin is similar. If imagining the Land as presented by SRD is like being enveloped by elegant orchestral music, I think inserting the name "Kevin" is like having the percussionist occasionally strike a crash on a trash can lid. It nearly jars me out of my hyper-credulous fantasy reverie.

Perhaps you can equate it to an unintentional Tim the Enchanter.

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:05 pm**

I'm one of those who thought it was a strange name for the Land. I wondered if there would be a reason for it, but nothing ever happened, and SRD says no. With so much familiarity with TCTC, it seems less strange now, but still a bit different to me.

However, I cannot tell you how many times I've been called Kevin in my life!! Teachers and coworkers who have known me for a long time just call me Kevin for no reason. Even more people who barely know me will come up with Kevin when trying to remember my name. (Eric, btw)

Coincidence? Hmmm.....

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:11 pm**

Fist and Faith wrote:Coincidence? Hmmm.....

It must be a sign. Clearly you are destined to destroy the world.

Eric Landwaster?

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:33 pm**

Prom_STar wrote:
Fist and Faith wrote:Coincidence? Hmmm.....
It must be a sign. Clearly you are destined to destroy the world.

Eric Landwaster?

Bruce Landwaster?

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:00 pm**

Eric "the Bruce" Landwaster?

Posted: **Wed Dec 28, 2005 9:54 am**

I know this has been said before but it is funny that he chose the name of a 'Land person' as Kevin but someone from our world has a name like Hile Troy. Does anyone know a 'Hile'?