Introduction and a Gift

[eachase.livejournal.com]

I've been lurking here since the post about the development of cover art for A Conspiracy of Kings, so it's probably long past time for me to actually join.

But I felt like I should offer a gift (like a certain thief at each temple). Unfortunately I don't wear earrings or drink coffee, so I've been stumped for a long time.

But I finally came up with something that perhaps only this community will truly appreciate. I was recently re-reading the series and during Conspiracy came across an example of synecdoche. And then a few more possible examples. So I re-started re-reading the series looking for them.

I like to make everything as hard on myself as possible, so I set a rule: no spoilers. And I have an exceptionally broad definition of spoilers. As in, names/titles can't be used because even they give things away.

Here are the ones I found in The Thief:

- I had wanted everyone to know that I was the finest thief since mortal men were made, and I must have come close to accomplishing that goal. (pg. 2)

- "I thought that you could steal anything," he taunted.
"Except myself out of the king's prison," I agreed. (pg. 13)

- "I didn't plan this trip with your comfort in mind," he said sourly.
"Damn right." (pg. 51)

- It had been a professional risk, but there was no point in saying so. (pg. 58-59)

- "Do you mean," I squawked, "that we are out here in the dark looking for something from a fairy tale?" (pg. 71)

- "You," he said, "are going to steal it." (pg. 205)

- "Won't tell me or can't" he asked.
"Can't," I admitted. "Not that I would anyway," I goaded him. (pg. 231)


Which do you think is the best? Are there others you'd include in the list?

If you approve of this gift, I'll offer my suggestions for the other books (to date!) for enjoyment and discussion.

Comments

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Welcome, even though you've been around for years! Tell us, what is synecdoche?

Synecdoche defined

[eachase.livejournal.com]

I'm using the part of the definition that means "a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole."

So, basically a very brief excerpt that could be said to summarize the whole book.

However, the entire definition is: a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special

[qwentoozla]

Oh, so the synecdoche is for the plot of the whole book? Clever! I think the first one is best to sum up the book, but the second and third are funniest. :)

[an-english-girl.livejournal.com]

So is the synecdoche for KoA "I am not as dumb as you think I am, even if you are" ?!?!!!?

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Brilliant! That sums up the entire book!

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

I like the chasing something from a fairytale one for The Thief. We clearly need to pick one for all the books.

Welcome!

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

"Steal peace, Eugenides. Steal me some time." for Qoa?

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

Brilliant!

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

Or, "Is Attolia going to marry you and move into my library?"

:p

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

Welcome! And thank you for this clever and insightful gift!

I love all the examples you gave. Could the part where the Magus tells Gen, "This is where you earn your reputation" (ch. 7, pg. 144) count as another?

[eachase.livejournal.com]

Once I started looking for them and read, "I had wanted everyone to know that I was the finest thief since mortal men were made, and I must have come close to accomplishing that goal" I thought, "Well, there's MWT for you. She tells you exactly what's going to happen on the second page and you don't even notice. Typical."

But of course I kept re-reading looking for even more. I love that so many snarky exchanges between Gen and the magus work so well.

Glad you like the idea!

[eachase.livejournal.com]

I don't think I can improve on that one! But I do have a few other examples from KoA.

[eachase.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad I finally joined. I've really enjoyed this community from afar and it will be fun to finally join the conversations.

I'll post my ideas from each of the books in a separate thread so everyone can chime in with theirs, too. I wonder if we could ever reach consensus? (It will probably be more fun if we don't.)

[eachase.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the welcome and the appreciation!

And, yes, that's a good one!

[eachase.livejournal.com]

I love the touch of sarcasm we see from Helen in that line.

Aside from the proper name and spoiler, though :-), I'd call the line painfully ironic rather than a synecdoche.

Helen is (lovingly) teasing Gen about his "plan." So much of the series is about Gen being the mastermind behind complex, brilliant, successful, (and sometimes stupid) plans. But I think that a large part of QoA is Gen discovering that he isn't *the* master planner. Not only are the gods real, they play him just like he plays others. And that realization may have been harder for Gen to come to grips with than the loss of his hand.

But yes, I realize I over-analyze these things. So, you know, as you were...

[eachase.livejournal.com]

I love that line. But I can't choose it because it breaks both my rules. Otherwise it is perfect. So perfect I'd even let the proper name rule go to use it if I didn't consider it a total spoiler.

But I may need to get professional help to deal with my definition of spoiler. I'm finding I have to avoid the wonderful MWT interviews you all keep sharing because she tells me too much about TaT. (Anything beyond the title is more than I want to know until it's in my hands. And I won't even read the cover blurbs before I read the book.)

Actual event (in Feb when I was playing my synecdoche game by myself):

Finance guy at car dealership: What are you reading?
Me: A book. [holding it up so he can see the cover of The Thief]
FG: What's it about?
Me: A thief.

Re: Synecdoche defined

[tiegirl.livejournal.com]

Ah! I had looked up the definition and could not figure out how to make your examples fit, because I wasn't thinking of the whole being the plot of the whole book!

Excellent!! What a great gift! Welcome to Sounis; you fit right in.

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Perhaps, we could edit it a little? "Steal peace." Another two word alternative would be, "War, then."

There is a fine balance between teasers and spoilers. I like teasers but not spoilers that ruin any major plots points. Of course, everyone has their own tolerance level for spoilers.

That answer is certainly Gen-level snark! Kudos to you! XD Hopefully, he laughed and wasn't annoyed.

Re: Synecdoche defined

[eachase.livejournal.com]

| Welcome to Sounis; you fit right in.

Wow. Best compliment ever! Thanks.

[eachase.livejournal.com]

I have definitely carefully worked around proper names when making my choices at times, so that's completely legit. :-)

I hadn't thought about the difference between teasers and spoilers, so I'll have to ponder that for awhile. (Or should I say, "I have to thank you. I had not looked at it that way before.")

As for the Finance Guy -- he did take it well. Of course, I was about to write a substantial check and hand it to him, so it was in his best interest to humor me. ;-)