firecat

I've read almost everything that Bujold has written and have liked most of it, but I have a few reservations. In http://epi-lj.livejournal.com/1728122.html - a discussion of Bujold, specifically Falling Free - I commented "Bujold's works sometimes have nastiness that bothers me." phantom_wolfboy wanted to know why, so this is my attempt to think out loud about it.

( This part has spoilers for Bujold's Vorkosigan series )

Bujold is known for saying at cons that part of the way she writes is to get her characters into a particular position and then ask herself "What's the worst that could happen to them now?" and then write it.

I think possibly something else she does is to ask herself "What's a really controversial or taboo or emotionally loaded thing that I could introduce here?"

Much of the time I like that she does that; it means she addresses some things that other books don't, in ways that other books don't, and it's thought-provoking.

But I think I've gotten kind of sensitized to these things in Bujold's writing, to the point where sometimes when I'm reading her books I sometimes get tense in a way I don't enjoy, because I'm anticipating something that will feel uncomfortable to read.

Tidal Wave Socks by Deby Lake
Free pattern from South West Trading Company
www.soysilk.com/

Knit from Ellens 1/2 Pint Farm hand-dyed wool/tencel fingering, "Evening Shadows" colorway

This was my first top-down sock project. I did the lace pattern all the way down the front of the sock instead of stopping at the heel. The yarn is luscious and perfect for the simple lace pattern. The top-down construction method was easy; the only problem I had was with the kitchener toe.

Jury's out on whether the socks wear well. (I am hard on socks.)

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/firecat/tidal-wave-socks


( piccies )