Epiphany

[bookishbabe.livejournal.com]

As I've had a spectacular weekend of MWT " not telling " us about the upcoming books my mind is weaving through all the possibilities.

One of the signatures of this series is the reveal. Even on the Nth read through I love seeing all those things I missed and my mistaken assumptions. There's a huge satisfaction in seeing the characters around Gen see him finally unveiled.

And I've just realized...it's an ever-expanding circle of revelation, of inclusion.

In TT we finally see all that Gen is, all that he's capable of, when it's revealed to his immediate traveling companions. And really, only his cousin who is Eddis and the Minister of War suspect his capability for awesome by the time he's passing out handing her Hamiathes's Gift.

QoA widens that circle of enlightenment as Eddis, both the queen and the country, see what Gen can do. And Attolia, the queen but not the country, begins to see what a beautifully, brilliantly conniving little snake Gen is.

KoA leaves an even wider circle gathered around Gen, jaws slack. Teleus, Relius, Costis, Dite, attendants, the brightest of the guard all develop a healthy awe. In each book even those in the inner circle of enlightenment( like....the reader) continue to chuckle and shake heads in amazement.

aCofK lets that process start again for Sophos. Basrus, Ochto and his field hand friends, his father, the Magus, Eddis, Attolis, his shocked Baron's, and finally that blasted Mede see the potential he has realized. I love that Sophos is not the first one to see that he has been grossly underestimated. Humble little bunny. Sophos gets to step more solidly into the inner circle as he understands so much more about Gen, as well.

It's not just Gen revealed to an increasing number of people in each book, but the gods as well. Think about it, take it over, let's discuss...

I don't know how exponentially Gen's fan club of characters will grow in the next books, but I look forward to the circle of enlightenment growing, watching even more people realize, "I am an idiot, and he is like a god revealed."
And like Gen, I'm a little uneasy to think of how and to whom the gods will be made known.

Comments

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Your last paragraph is just what I'd been thinking--Gen's...power, for lack of a better word, is revealed to more people. He uses that power on larger and larger entities. First, a group of traveling companions, then his family and countrymen, then armies and other countries. Truth is, it makes me very worried about our Gen. What will become of him when he finally reaches the potential the gods have in store for him? That kind of power just might tear him apart.

Has anyone else wondered if he might become a god?

[beth-shulman.livejournal.com]

I had wondered that, but I think all the stories about the birth of the gods work against that, in a way. Like, he was born too recently! He's already surrounded by people! He doesn't really have anything in common with their stories.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Yes, but there are so many versions of the stories, and you know the Magus thinks everyone debased them. :)

[beth-shulman.livejournal.com]

Good point!

[elle-winters.livejournal.com]

but then there would be TWO Eugenides.... Can we handle that?! And technically, I wonder, who would be more powerful and mischievous?

[rosaleeluann.livejournal.com]

Interesting.... expanding circle of influence indeed. I think another part of Gen's awesomeness is his ability to inspire others to be awesome, like Sophos... and Costis, I'm sure we'll be seeing in the future. (I know Costis will come back! He just has to.)

[bookishbabe.livejournal.com]

I've wondered if maybe the last half of KoA (aka the next book) might continue to play out around Costis. And with the PoV shift mentioned in a panel at LTUE perhaps we'll get it from Costis' voice?

.....I'll take it from anyone's voice, truth be told.

[shelver506.livejournal.com]

Right now he controls all three kingdoms on their little island. Do you think he might expand to the Medes? To the Continent?

[beth-shulman.livejournal.com]

Do you think he'll have to, to stop the Mede?

[styromgalleries.livejournal.com]

That would be it, I think. I don't think Gen is that ambitious on his own. And I'm sure keeping those three countries together will be task in itself. Only if the gods force him because Eddis, Attolia, and Sounis would lose all otherwise would he look to the continent.

[beth-shulman.livejournal.com]

Yes. And unless the power suddenly goes to his head - this is still the Gen who doesn't want to be king.

[styromgalleries.livejournal.com]

All he ever wanted was to move Attolia into his library with him. Was that so much to ask?

[heatherzundel.livejournal.com]

For the gods, apparently, yes. Poor Gen. He gets stretched beyond his own wants because he has the capability to do what is necessary for the good of so many. At least he gets to whine about it. :)

[elle-winters.livejournal.com]

But remember how much of brat it made him in Conspiracy of Kings? Gen's changing--maybe not completely but power has it's affects :-/ and in Gen's case I think that if it changes him or forces him to behave differently (Like a King instead of a sneaky thief)--he knows it and hates it.

[brandy-painter.livejournal.com]

Good point about Gen's impact and influence increasing with each book. It is interesting that while that is happening we see less an less of him as an individual person at the same time. I think I've said this before, but it seems like we are seeing how a person goes from being just a person good at what they do-albeit exceptionally-to becoming a legend. More and more of who they actually are is stripped away and replaced by the story. Sort of like Arthur.

[hazelwillow.livejournal.com]

I've said this before, but it seems like we are seeing how a person goes from being just a person good at what they do-albeit exceptionally-to becoming a legend. More and more of who they actually are is stripped away and replaced by the story. Sort of like Arthur.

Yes, I think you're right.

We're drawing slowly away from him and that's partly why. We are going to have to work increasingly hard to see the real Gen underneath the legend, I think. Like in CoK, we got a glimpse of his real vulnerability and, well, human-ness at the end, when he was faced with Sophos's huge faith in him. It was there, but it was subtle. It was sort of like Gen's reaction to that process you described, the process of becoming a legend.

Somehow it strikes me as a sad story. :(

[brandy-painter.livejournal.com]

I find it to be a sad story too. It makes my heart hurt for the Gen of The Thief when I reread it. It's what he wanted but he had no idea what it meant.

[bookishbabe.livejournal.com]

Calls to mind to lyrics of a song: " Can't believe the irony/ the thing I've wanted is killing me/ all the happy smiles I miss/ didn't think it would be like this/ and I pray/ I wish that all this things would go away/ to disappear if only for a day/ no I can't leave but I don't wanna stay/. Jem( and so I pray)

I love the small glimpses of how Attolia and Gen help each other bear the burden of the mantles they wear.

[brandy-painter.livejournal.com]

LOVE those lyrics. Very applicable.

I too like the glimpses of what Gen and Irene do for each other. It's what gives me hope that the they can by happy in the lives they have to lead even if it's not the best conditions to live under.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, dear. I hope Gen stays his own obnoxiously special self through all this. (Don't think he would become a god if only because they've already got one Eugenides.) Perhaps between Attolia and Costis, okay, and Eddis, not sure about Sophos, Gen will be okay. Even with all that political power. --Kate

[bookishbabe.livejournal.com]

Agreed. If Gen is to Be a King of Kings, he is supported upon a foundation exceptional pillars.

I see him growing but not changing. Just as Gen is softening the edges of his Queen just a bit, I think she's toughening him in his new role...but neither is radically changing the other. We all know Gen is a master of putting on appearances.