Kushner, Ellen - Swordspoint

[oyceter]

I actually started Swordspoint about three years ago, got halfway through, and abandoned it. This was largely because I found myself detesting Michael Godwin, completely confused as to why Richard stayed with Alec, given that I thought Alec was extremely annoying and rather useless and a provoker of violence at that, and angry because all the female characters were pushed to the side in favor of male ones or portrayed as temptresses, manipulators, and/or whores throwing themselves at people (with the exception of Lady Halliday).

So I have actually read The Privilege of the Sword before this, which spoiled me a bit as to Alec's true identity.

I found that this time around, with prior warning, I didn't find Michael quite as despicable. Still, I dislike him a great deal, including his self-centeredness, and I did not feel sorry for him at all with regard to Lord Horn, despite Kushner's portrayal of Horn as, well, a horndog. I still found Alec annoying, but less so after reading The Privilege of the Sword. It seems that my tolerance for alpha bastards has decreased quite substantially, and I am still appalled by Alec's willingness to annoy people so they will challenge him and Richard can kill them for him. I mean... where do I begin with the wrongness? And no, despite Alec's obvious mental instability, I do not find it romantic, and I was actually rather offended on Richard's behalf. And why is it that everyone Alec offends seems to be deserving of death?

Richard, on the other hand, I adore to pieces. I realize this is rather hypocritical, what with what happens later, but I don't care. I like that he is small and quiet and unassuming and deadly.

I feel like I should have more to say about the book, given that it is a favorite of many, but, well, I'm still not a fan, though I don't despise it like I did when I first read it.

I will admit that on occasion, I am completely bought into the romance and angst of the Richard/Alec relationship, particularly in the short story "The Death of the Duke." But usually I go around adoring Richard and tolerating Alec because Richard likes him.

In conclusion: politics? What politics? ;) (I couldn't figure out half the people and if they were related to people in The Privilege of the Sword or The Fall of the Kings or not, so I largely ignored them.) Despite adoring court politics and intrigue and maneuvering, I was sort of bored by the intrigue here. This may be because I wanted to slap most of the plotters, including but not limited to Michael, Lord Ferris, and Lord Horn. And I wanted to slap all of the nobility for using swordsmen like they did, despite a wee part of me being absolutely thrilled by the idea of swordsmen.

Links:
- rilina's review
- tenemet's review

Comments

[oracne.livejournal.com]

I love Richard.

I also love the Dunnett Richard.

Could it be something about the name? Or did Ellen name Richard Richard on purpose?

[oyceter]

I was thinking the same thing while I was reading it! And I had a conversation with Mely on Sat. on quiet, overlooked, responsible characters who get overshadowed by their brothers/friends/lovers/etc. and how much we adore them.

Dunnett Richard very much came to mind, as did Faramir (maybe his middle name is Richard?).