Karl Edward Wagner’s 1975 sword and sorcery epic Bloodstone is the first full-length outing for Kane, mighty-thewed protagonist of a series of short stories and novels. Jack and Kate navigate a treacherous world of shifting political alliances, alien technology, and bat-monster-goddess girlfriends to figure out where Kane fits in the world of fantasy fiction.
Has there ever been a trustworthy alien intelligence in a fantasy novel? Can a simple outfit swap transform a butch into a femme? Is there a secret (or not so secret) gothic lineage to this fantasy series? All these questions and more will be explored in this episode of the podcast.
Hmmm … if you want ‘Trustworthy Alien Intelligences’ then poor Yag-Kosha from THE TOWER OF THE ELEPHANT is one candidate (Though that’s more of a short story than a novel).
ReplyDeleteAlso, isn’t the outfit practically the entire definition of that which separates ‘Butch’ from ‘Femme’? (Give or take a few other aesthetic flourishes).
Nah, there's a definite attitude component to it.
DeleteYeah, the thing is, the outfit swap seems to usher in an almost total change in her personality, behavior, and overall demeanor. It's really something.
DeleteMan, her stylist must have been REALLY on to something!
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