the other end of the telescope

[bluelovesorange]

one of my favorite author notes, ever:

For the boys who might have been Taran and the girls who will always be Eilonwy

The High King - Lloyd Alexander

I loved the Prydain Chronicles when I was in junior high, and I just picked up the High King last week (to continue on my there is a world outside of JKR's trek) and it just re-confirmed that I've had this lingering crush on Wales, thanks to Mr. Alexander. Also, if Tolkien had written in Alexander's style, I would have enjoyed the Lord of the Rings that much more (yes, blasphemy, but whatever. Two Towers is my favorite of the trilogy.) There's a quiet, flowing quality to Alexander, that doesn't happen to me when I'm reading Tolkien - he's much more denser and archaic, in a way. I can't really explain it, the linguistics and sentence structures of it aren't simple. I may have to re-read the trilogy and see again.

And back to the High King- I've never thought about it when I was reading them, in the first flush of discovery, but now years down the line...Eilonwy and Taran were my OTP, even more than Sophie and Howl from Howl's Moving Castle were.

Strange, how a few years can change your perspective. Or maybe fitting.

I feel slightly bad for admitting this, but the new eps of Gilmore Girls are exciting me more than the prospect of new Buffy, which is just sad, when you think about it. Thanks ever so, David Fury. *yes, I'm being incredibly petty and blaming this sudden two episode slump to basically call the remainder of the series a horrible vacuum if Fury continues to write for the show, because, woo! We always need more exposition and NOTHING HAPPENING AT ALL.'

Forgive me, I'm a little bitter.

But. Drew Goddard, I have faith in you. And Joss, you know I still love you best.


Even though Alias is slowly worming its spy-hands on my cold little fandom heart. Cos...Sark...the New Not Really English Hot Menacing Charming Villain -- I prefer David Anders over James Marsters (the sound of my LJ-friends unfriending me in horror) and I want more Sark. Also, Lena Olin is possibly the hottest woman I ever did see.

*swoons*

*blinks*

I usually go after the heros (Buffy, Harry). What's the matter with me? I've suddenly given in to my anti-hero complex! Well, television wise....


I'm writing a longish fic thing. It's annoying me highly, but we shall see.

ETA: One of the best cures for the blues is to watch A Hard Day's Night and HELP!. Preferably, back to back. I love the Beatles.

Comments

[carta.livejournal.com]

Oh, Lloyd Alexander... I remember my elementary school librarian introducing those to me bacause I'd already read the books on the thrid grade list. (Read 'em when I was in first grade, matter of fact. So precocious. Such a know-it-all.) Wonderful wonderful books... Eowyn and her globe, Taran the pig-keeper... I need to revisit those. Thanks for reminding me of them!

Eowyn and her globe?

[evemac.livejournal.com]

Someone's getting LotR and Prydain chronicles mixed up. It's Eilonwy. ;)

But back to the subject at hand: I first read The Book of Three in elementary school. Maybe even first grade! Since then I have re-read the series many many times. I really fell in love with all of those characters. I was a complete Eilonwy/Taran shipper. It's interesting that I got hooked on Prydain so easily, yet LotR came so hard for me (and still does.)

Also, blasphemy! You must not say such things! James is, and will always be, sex on a stick. By the way, next week's episode looks to be quite good. Written by RRK, who brought us Tabula Rasa. And I hope I'm not spoiling you by saying you'll like the Spike moments. Really like them.

Eilonwy and Eowyn...both beautiful strong and fierce....

[crushw-eyeliner.livejournal.com]

So it's not that difficult to see the mixup. And their names both start with "E" after all... ;)

I read the Prydain chronicles right after re-discovering the Rats of Nimh - which I picked up in grade school, and could not get through - a couple of years later, I picked it up again, and loved it to bits. Then came Brian Jacques and his Redwall series, and then Diana Wynne Jones...it's been a strange and wonderful trip ever since. Alexander and Avi - I always remember loving those two authors vividly - and yes! Someone agrees with me about LoTR - I admire Tolkien's imagination and depth of creation, for this world spawned off so many fantasy/history epics, but it's just....so damn dry in bits. And the lack of really interesting involved female characters has always irritated me - chalk that up to discovering feminism and all the good literature with strong female characters.

And....*giggle* I knew somebody would catch me on the James thing -- he's still sexy, I just feel the urge to get underneath Sark's tailored Armani more...but I'm happy to hear that about Buffy. I've been spoiler free since last season, but also, I haven't been motivated to actively enquire after them, so any good news for the upcoming episodes, and for Spike and for Buffy herself -- makes me very happy. Thanks. ;)

Re: Eowyn and her globe?

[carta.livejournal.com]

Someone's getting LotR and Prydain chronicles mixed up. It's Eilonwy. ;)

Hee! You'd think I would have had the skill to scroll up and actually see the right name, wouldn't you? Silly silly me.

As for LoTR - the movies are coming easier for the than the books ever did. I've been trying to read the trilogy since I was fourteen or so, and finally managed it - fifteen years later.

book worm here....

[crushw-eyeliner.livejournal.com]

my junior high librarian told me I was single handedly responsible for increasing the library's circulation - I would be borrowing books every three days. I went through Alexander, Avi, John Bellairs (I first picked him up because of the Edward Gorey covers), Rats of Nimh...and then Diana Wynne Jones, who I am still preaching the gospel about, years later.

Speaking of which, have you read Howl's Moving Castle?

*G*

Re: book worm here....

[carta.livejournal.com]

No, I actually haven't managed to read any beyond that first one - but I recommended it to my work friend who is addicted to Terry Pratchett. But trust me - DWJ is on my list of Authors To Catch Up On.

[syzylynx.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm playing on the computer instead of cleaning my house, why do you ask?

I actually still have my Prydain Chronicles set in its original box thingy. No, it's not in pristine condition, because it has been moved many, many times since my youth, and now you're making me want to read it again, dammit. AND I HAVE TOO MANY BOOKS WAITING TO BE READ!
Notenoughtimenotenoughtimenotenoughtime

I'm beyond tickled that you're being drawn into Alias. Because, YES. And I do believe that your boyfriend Sark will be making an appearance on Superbowl Sunday. I was disappointed in the last two eps of Buffy, and James Marsters does not affect me as he once did. There are too many other pretty accented young men on tv to ogle. And JM needs to start eating some twinkies or something. That said, I'm still with Buffy for the long haul, still taping (I'm even taping Angel, for cryin' out loud), and hoping along with you that Drew Goddard is allowed to write most of the eps that are left. LOVE Drew. Hate the Fury monster.
I think my brain is officially fried. And I pissed away the entire day. Not actually pissing, but...you get the picture.
Gah, I need to stop rambling and get some sleep.

-L

[saava.livejournal.com]

You know, I've seen lots of people say that JM should gain weight, which just confuses me, since I think he actually looks heavier than he did last year. Or, at least less muscular.

HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!

[crushw-eyeliner.livejournal.com]

I am an enabler. Ask anyone.

;)

Oh, I'm with Buffy to the bitter bitter end. We've been codependent since I saw her in highschool...you'd have to pry me away with a crowbar.

But still, flirting with Alias is okay.