Tag Archives: Syntebra el’Kemin

Local Custom – Chapter 7

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In which Er Thom and Kareen each take thought for the good of the clan.

As Er Thom works on persuading Anne to come to Liad and meet his family, we start getting an idea of the politics at work. One gets the impression they’re not going to be as delighted to see her as he’s making out.

And speaking of seeing her, there’s another miscommunication in this chapter that’s going to significantly affect Anne’s understanding of the evolving situation. The distinction between being seen by the Delm and being Seen by the Delm is not nearly as clear in spoken Terran as it presumably is in Liaden.

Local Custom – Chapter 4

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In which Er Thom and Anne meet again.

This chapter contains the situation in a nutshell: Er Thom and Anne love each other, thrive when together and struggle when separated; all that’s keeping them apart is the entire weight of social convention and expectation on both sides. Easy.

(Communication on the internet has its advantages, but there are times when I miss the ability to convey facial expression and tone of voice.)

It appears my memory let me down again: the Liaden face-touching taboo is explained in this novel. (Of course it is; it’s an important detail. I’m not sure now why I thought otherwise. I expect I was thinking of other stories where it is just an incidental.)

Local Custom – Chapter 2

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In which Er Thom has urgent business elsewhere.

This chapter is one that becomes richer through being able to bring in context from other stories. There are things that slide by as unexplained background details that are expanded on elsewhere in the series.

For instance, the reason why Er Thom, “an experienced and considerate lover”, was “unexpectedly awkward” when it came to kissing, is never explained, that I recall, anywhere – in this novel. But the necessary cultural background is available elsewhere.

Likewise, knowing about the Liaden prohibition on permanently-installed ear decorations adds strength to Petrella’s description of Daav’s ear decoration as “barbaric”, and on the other hand adds emotional weight to Daav’s decision to continue wearing it.

Local Custom – Chapter 1

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In which Er Thom yos’Galan says no.

This is the first time we’ve seen the Tree since the end of Crystal Dragon, centuries ago. It appears to be doing well for itself.

Er Thom, on the other hand, is not doing so well, for all that he’s now captain and master trader of the clan’s best ship.

And Daav, who last we saw him was not looking forward to succeeding his mother as Delm, has now done so. It remains to be seen how well he’s doing.

And I’m back in the problem position of not having much to say, since I’ve read this chapter often enough that everything seems too familiar to remark on. (Well, I could mention the way Er Thom has suddenly gained an elder brother to help explain why his mother is disinclined to acquiesce to his request, which is a lot more noticeable reading in chronological order, but I covered that a couple of days ago when Er Thom was introduced, so.)