Ellen
Kushner’s delightful little 1987 fantasy snack Swordspoint is a difficult book to review. Plot-centric, review content could be a
simple rehash of the storyline. To avoid
this, I will suffice at saying the novel is a theatrically-moded story
centering on swordsmen and the surrounding lords and ladies in an unnamed Renaissance-ish
land. Character appropriately (even
uniquely) built and located in a larger web of intrigue and personal strife,
Kushner does a fine job unveiling her story, suspense and subsequent revelation
in keeping quality-wise. From a plot
point of view, the novel is wholly enjoyable and best to be discovered by the
reader.
But where Swordspoint is deserving of further
commentary starts with the subtitle: A
Melodrama of Manners. Pleasingly
underscoring the story in a phrase, the comedic elements are indeed tucked
inside a subtly tongue-in-cheek tale that purposefully and delicately treads
the line between maudlin and mimetic.
Kushner finding a fitting pseudo-Victorian tone and holding tight to it
from the beginning to end, the arrogant nobles and desperate rogues are given
voices that uphold an outlay to be enjoyed for its humor and paid attention to
for plotting. In other words, the reader
knows what they are reading is not intended as serious literature, but at the
same time wants to keep reading for the wit inherent to the text and the obvious
intelligence guiding the undercurrents of character and plot.
One’s like
or dislike of Swordspoint thus
depends in some fashion on their patience for mannerisms, coquetry, double
entendres, bruised egos, troubled psyches, indirect sniping, and posturing that
come in tow with a (melo)drama of manners.
The humor is sly (for example, it’s a true delight to read the
between-the-lines manner in which Kushner takes the piss out of
maleness/bravery/nobility/etc. of
standard epic fantasy), the scenes and dialogue are fastidiously crafted, and
the plot is made to move according to the charming rote of convention but has a
life of its own given the twist to gravitas Kushner applies. All elements mixed to arrive at a spot-on
point that hints at emotion but in a sublimely comedic tone, Swordspoint: A Melodrama of Manners is a
very enjoyable novel. Painting itself
into a corner, however, it’s just may not be an important one…
In a stunning coincidence, I just posted about this book on Tuesday as well. Judging from the love in the comments (and all the lists on the internet which initially prompted me to read the book many years ago), it's an important book for queer nerds. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't mention the queer elements in my review, mainly because I skipped over a plot summary. The relationship between the two male characters is certainly key to the story, but I just never looked deeper. Probably my loss.
DeleteI think you're right that the "melodrama of manners" aspect is the most important element of the book as a whole. I think the queer aspect is what gets a lot of people to read it in the first place, though, and a reason we connect with it... And the fact that the queerness is one part and not the ONLY part is a big deal, too. :D
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