queensthief | (no subject)

We're getting very close to the publishing date for The King of Attolia now, but Caroline found a great page full of great discussion questions for The Queen of Attolia, so we figured a new thread would be the best place to discuss them - and to ask other burning questions, like 'Who was the Goddess at the end of TQoA?', or to just speculate on the upcoming book.

They can all be found here: http://www.harpercollins.com/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0380733048&tc=rg

So let's start off with an some interesting ones which haven't really been talked about.

When Eugenides retreats to the library in internal exile after his injury, describe his state of mind and how he views himself in relation to the Eddisians. Why is he so embarrassed, and how do these feelings resurface when he realizes the magnitude of his decision to become king of Attolia?

This could perhaps relate to:

What is Eugenides’ reaction when he is informed that Eddis declared war on Attolia in his name? Does this change his relationship with Eddis? Does he like being called a “sacred relic, a hero” (p.133) in the eyes of the people of Eddis?

I picked these because I figured we've talked about the Gods, and Gen's relationship with Irene a fair bit. Do you guys have any thoughts on his relationship with Eddis, and how that might change in KoA?

Also, everyone check out the continuously updated Spoilers thread for more teasers and summaries. :)

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Speaking of which, this is the scene where Attolia slaps Gen to shut him up about becoming a puppet queen and I'm dying to know what Gen would have said if he had been able to continue! I almost wish Attolia would've let him keep on talking instead of slapping him like that! Any ideas?

After Attolia slaps him she thinks that the last thing she needs is Gen declaring his love again, so she thought that's what he was going to say next. That made me think that she didn't want Nahuseresh to hear that because she'd already decided to marry Gen and accept Eddis' help in the war. I don't think she realized that she loved Gen yet, but she thought that was the only way she could get rid of the Meades and still rule Attolia.

~checkers

" I posted a question wondering about what Eugenides would ahve continued to day if Attolia hadn't slapped him.."

Wow, now that you mention it I wanna know too!

"After Attolia slaps him she thinks that the last thing she needs is Gen declaring his love again, so she thought that's what he was going to say next."

Ah, yes, this is probably the answer. With Nahuseresh coming so close the last thing he needed to hear was Gen telling Attolia that he loved her; it might have made him suspect what was going on. Still though, Gen would have also continued to tell her how the Medes would have expoited her etc. and how he would respect Attolia/her right to rule.

" I alwyas felt that Attolia told Gen about hearing him cry outside the cell to give her leverage/power.."

Yes, this is what I think too. And I agree with you about how it showed her to be vunerable/compassionate too, even if she didn't realize it. When I read that scene the first time I thought 'whoo, something is up with Attolia and Gen!',lol As you read through the book, you can see clearly that Gen loves Attolia for her vunerablity, not her strength, and she loves hime for ...well, being Gen I guess, lol. Anyone can correct/speculate with me on that lol.

I'm so glad there more people in this discussion now! Its so much more intersting this way,:)
-Caroline

Yep, I'm glad about this discussion as well! Now I get to have most of my questions about the book answered. What can be better than that?

In reference to the perfume amphora (spelling?) that is mentioned a few times throughout the book . . . what do you think it is a metaphor for? Is it a metaphor for Attolia's lost innocence/childhood when she became a queen at such a young age or the loss of something precious to her, such as when she used it in reference to Gen? Just curious what ya'll think :)

pssst . . . I found out King of Attolia is being published in the U.S. on January 24th, so just 12 more days to go!

from,
Jessica

"Yep, I'm glad about this discussion as well! Now I get to have most of my questions about the book answered. What can be better than that?"

Glad you guys like this place. :) I'm going to try to keep dragging people in.

"In reference to the perfume amphora (spelling?) that is mentioned a few times throughout the book . . . what do you think it is a metaphor for? Is it a metaphor for Attolia's lost innocence/childhood when she became a queen at such a young age or the loss of something precious to her, such as when she used it in reference to Gen? Just curious what ya'll think :)"

:D I thought it was a metaphor for the loss - or breaking - of something precious to her. Gen, in other words. In a fit of fury, she flung the amphora and broke it, and bitterly regretted it later. I suppose this implies that her feelings when she ordered Gen to be mutilated were fairly extreme, and she didn't entirely realise what she had done, or someto her senses, until later. Hmm, I'm not sure.

"pssst . . . I found out King of Attolia is being published in the U.S. on January 24th, so just 12 more days to go!"

:) It was out yesterday in Canada as far as I know. I guess we in the UK'll be the last to get it. *sighs*

Oh well. :)

D I thought it was a metaphor for the loss - or breaking - of something precious to her. Gen, in other words. In a fit of fury, she flung the amphora and broke it, and bitterly regretted it later. I suppose this implies that her feelings when she ordered Gen to be mutilated were fairly extreme, and she didn't entirely realise what she had done, or someto her senses, until later. Hmm, I'm not sure

Great explanation! I was always lost on the symbolism of this too,Jessica, but what you said makes so much sense, Rowana! So the implication is that Gen was something precious to Attolia - something that she broke and later was sorry.
-Caroline

*nods* Yup, I agree. She was playing it carefully then, and needed Nahusaresh to still be entirely fooled.