TheCO: You have a book due out in a short time, The Hallowed Hunt—who are the main characters?
LMB: This tale is told single-viewpoint from the head of one Ingrey kin Wolfcliff, the disinherited scion of a noble family of the Weald, my Chalion-universe (loose) analogue to medieval Germany. He's a swordsman of about 25, who, after knocking about the world after the disasters of his earlier youth, found a place as a trusted retainer in the household of the Sealmaster (chancellor) of the Weald, as something between a clerk and a bravo; he is on a mission for the Sealmaster as the book opens.
Ingrey’s assigned task is to arrest one Lady Ijada dy Castos for the (well-earned) murder of the royal younger son, mad Prince Boleso. Ingrey quickly discovers that Ijada’s legal and magical problems are closely bound up with his own. Completing the unholy triumvirate that drives the plot of the book is Ingrey's fey cousin, Earl-ordainer Wencel kin Horseriver, about Ingrey's age but vastly higher in rank and power in the Weald, being among other things, married to the dying hallow king's only daughter, Princess Fara.
Also important are Learned Hallana, both a physician-divine of the goddess known as the Mother, and a sorceress-divine of the god known as the Bastard (rather like having a double PhD, that); her husband Oswin, a scholar of the Father, the god devoted to justice; Learned Lewko, a divine of the Bastard with a peculiar job description; Prince Biast, Fara’s brother (and Horseriver’s brother-in-law); and, most delightfully, Prince Jokol, a skaldic warrior from a cold southern island and his unexpected pet, the 600 pound ice bear, Fafa.
It all comes together. Trust me.
TheCO: Thematically speaking, what can we expect from this book?
LMB: Almost all of my books are about identity formation or re-formation—coming of age and redemption—on the deepest levels, and The Hallowed Hunt does touch these issues somewhat. But this one surprised me a bit, by the time I’d wrestled it to the end, by being more about the elusive spiritual nature of kingship. What other quarry, after all, is more worthy of a god’s own hunt than such a royal prize? The losses of time and history also ended up being explored, down some—to me, at least—rather unexpected paths.
TheCO: Does this particular book focus on any one of the Gods like the first two did, and if so which one?
LMB: This is the Brother’s book, aka the Son of Autumn: the god of young men, the hunt, harvest, animals, and war. The tale takes place in His season, and has much to do with His issues, one way or another. Ingrey is at the season of his own life where the Son of Autumn would be his natural patron. But as usual, the Bastard, god of all things out of season and something of the trickster figure in this pantheon, also has His thumb in the pie.
Article comments
1 - DrPat
I had passed up Hallowed Hunt because I was so disappointed not to see a new Vorkosigan novel. The peek into the creation process makes me realize that LMB fantasy is all we're likely to get for years.
[sigh]
Thanks for this, theco. I think.
2 - Robert A. Mitchell
If you haven't read Bujold before you don't know what a treat you have in store for yourself, if you have you know how long it seems between books. One of the few authors I know of that never disappoints me. Makes me think, laugh, and buy new books because I can't wait for it to hit the used book store shelves.
3 - Dale Josephs
I've always enjoyed reading anything Bujold has published; and this interview makes her even more fascinating: getting this sort of insiders' view of the creative processes are what really prick my interest.
4 - M. Haller Yamada
Wonderful interview! Can't wait to get Hallowed Hunt, and the next New Thing. (-: The otter analogy is very entertaining.
5 - TheCO
Pat you said:I had passed up Hallowed Hunt because I was so disappointed not to see a new Vorkosigan novel. The peek into the creation process makes me realize that LMB fantasy is all we're likely to get for years.
[sigh]
Thanks for this, theco. I think.
Me personally while the fantasy is different i do find the quality holds up quite well. Curse of Chalion has echo's of Mirror Dance, and Paladin reminds me equally of Barrayar and Memory. Hallowed Hunt is genuinely unique, but of no less quality than the 'average' Bujold.
6 - DrPat
Oh, I bought Chalion's Curse, and read it, and found it enjoyable. Palladin and Hunt will probably also find their way to my shelves (in paperback), now that I know there is no further Miles madness in the works...
7 - theco
Ah, i did see Paladin in pb the last time i was in a store, the cover actually shrank down nicely. Enjoy.
8 - V
If you're the least bit hesitant, go read the sample chapters. I can guarantee that you'll want to buy the book immediately.
9 - theco
Oh, what V said.
Hell, you can always talk your library into a copy and check it out. Then buy your own copy if (read as: when) you decide you adore it.
10 - TheCO
Dale,
There are links to other interviews with Lois on her site, and she's doing a couple more cons this year so you might actually be able to meet her.
11 - Temple Stark
Blogcritics' editors liked this one. It's a pick of the week. Congrats. Put the news up proudly on your site.
Here's a link to the rest of this week's picks
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13 - sid
I'm sorry I am just not a big fan of LB's fantasy stuff...I mean come on, why a sci fi author of her caliber should decide to write about a bunch of barbarians with swords and magic (wtf??!!) is beyond me.
I'm waiting for some sci fi before I'll look at her again.