"The Sword of Loving Kindness," by Chris Willrich

[Scott H. Andrews]

This thread is for discussion of "The Sword of Loving Kindness (http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/forums/../story.php?s=5)," Chris Willrich's story of poet Persimmon Gaunt and thief Imago Bone that appeared in two parts over BCS Issues #1 and #2.

Be warned that after Issue #2 is released on Oct. 23, this thread may contain spoilers for Pt. II.

[Bill Ward]

I loved it, a great balance of humor and adventure with a great big dollop of sense-of-wonder on top. Reminiscent of Vance and Leiber; I'm greatly looking forward to the second installment.

[Brian Dolton]

Yes, I entirely agree; I was very much reminded of Lieber, and the ability to balance a genuine sense of danger with the humour of the sword's effect impressed the hell out of me.

Great work, looking forward to the conclusion!

[Scott H. Andrews]

Anyone who enjoyed this story should definitely check out Chris's other Gaunt & Bone and related stories. He recently posted a bibliography of them (http://webnews.sff.net/read?cmd=read&group=sff.publishing.black-gate-magazine&artnum=6260) on the sff.net newsgroup for Black Gate magazine. "Penultima Thule" is my favorite of those, wherein Gaunt and Bone must travel to the edge of the world to try to dispose of Mashed Rags Bound in Dead Cow.

[Bill Ward]

I'm impressed to see so many of them in F&SF . . . looks like I've been picking up the wrong issues of that magazine.

[Matthew Wuertz]

I've read two other Gaunt and Bone stories, so I had high expectations based on how excellent the others were. The first part of this story exceeded those expectations. I can't wait to read the second part. Keep up the good work, Mr. Willrich!

[Carl T. Abt]

The symbols and imagery didn’t show anything the actions didn’t. They just distracted. They are overused, and are usually the weakest part of any story, but particularly so in this one. The dandelion, for example, interrupted the flow as I tried to make sense of it rather than simply looking at the actions of the girl. Similarly, the tattoo doesn’t say anything that isn’t apparent from the character actions. It’s also a little implausible – who would pick such a symbol to be tattooed on such a public place as their face? Would Gaunt want to be reminded of being trapped by love every time she looks in a mirror, let alone advertise it to the world?
I’m copying this paragraph from a comment of mine on Sun Magic, Earth Magic:
Symbols, even when used perfectly, are still just tools: they are secondary to POV and actions. I tire of interpreting one symbol after another even if they are organic to the story. Too many symbols, no matter how well integrated, smack of artifice – they show the author’s hand. One thing that is commonly lost in contemporary fiction is the place of the writer’s tools – POV is central, not symbols or imagery. As a storyteller, I—as a general rule—only resort to my tools when what my characters do and say is insufficient to express them. I don’t invest too much of myself in my tools.
That said, the story was a blast to read. I’m just pointing out the weak spots.

[Erica Hildebrand]

This is my first Gaunt and Bone story and I am loving it. The use of humor, in particular, is really impressive. I eagerly await part 2.

[C. C. Finlay]

I was going to put off reading part 1 of "The Sword of Loving Kindness" until both parts were posted, but tonight I broke down and read it anyway. And now I wished I'd waited! So I wouldn't have to wait to see how it ends.

Great debut issue. Really enjoyed it, and was happy to see Gaunt and Bone again.

[nihawkins]

The symbols in question on this thread, to me, are just the lush details inherent in spec fic--they're a part of world-building, of creating the impression of another place, of bringing to life the setting, which can become a character in itself in fantasy fiction. I think Chris Willrich does this exceedingly well, and it's one of the reasons I have enjoyed every one of his stories. In fact, when I first read the announcement about the goals of Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Willrich immediately came to mind. This is a great story, and perfectly chosen.

[Teddi Deppner]

Loved the story.

First time with the Bone and Gaunt characters, and I thought the story successfully walked the fine line between "I'm lost in these references to other places and adventures" and "ooh! this story is rich with tidbits of history and hints of other stories to track down and read". I generally enjoy that sense that I'm seeing a piece of a greater world and bigger story, but too many references of that sort can leave one confused. This was just about right.

The premise of the story provides so much delightful tension and opportunity for comedic contrast and irony, of which Chris seems to take full advantage. I'll re-read it many times just for those moments.

("Language," Gaunt objected. Then she caught herself, and swore.) LOL!

("Each time, I thought, 'Farewell, wicked tool.' Only when it's too late do I weep.") Not even knowing the character well, I cringed at the loss!

Good job, Chris, and keep the stories coming!

[Scott H. Andrews]

The symbols in question on this thread, to me, are just the lush details inherent in spec fic--they're a part of world-building, of creating the impression of another place, of bringing to life the setting, which can become a character in itself in fantasy fiction.
That's how they feel to me. They aren't totally without symbolic value for me--I do think it matters that Gaunt has a tattoo of a rose rather than a skull or Bone's initials :) --but in my head as I read, they are details first and symbols second.

In fact, when I first read the announcement about the goals of Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Willrich immediately came to mind. This is a great story, and perfectly chosen.Thank you! His work immediately came to my mind as well, and I'm delighted to have this piece for the debut issue. I know you all will love Pt. II next week.

All of you who're new to Gaunt and Bone, run do not walk to F&SF's back-issue ordering page (http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/backish.htm) and get copies of their earlier stories. Here's Chris's bibliography of them (http://webnews.sff.net/read?cmd=read&group=sff.publishing.black-gate-magazine&artnum=6260) again in case you need it.

[Fopner]

A great opening story and a sure bet to have me read the next issue. Gaunt and Bone are wonderful, witty, and wily. I do hope they escape with their iniquity intact.

As for symbols, they don't bother me. I purposefully don't read into them and just let them operate at a subconsious level.

Thanks for the story!

[Matthew Wuertz]

I just finished the second part of the story. I liked getting into the depths of these characters and seeing their inner struggles, especially between the extremes of the sword and Maratrace. Wonderful tale. Simply wonderful.

[Carl T. Abt]

I felt like this story was trying to teach me a lesson. "Be true to yourself" isn't a bad lesson, but it's still a lesson. I just want an experience. It was in many respects a good experience as well - lots of action and adventure, and multidimensional characters. I like it when a story changes a character, but does it always have to be for the better? I enjoyed reading the story, but I felt hollow when I put it down because I felt it was trying to teach me something rather than just being itself.