The Forum of David Anthony Durham

[kvjack1]

Every couple of months or so, when work is very tedious, I go online and check up on when my most anticipated sequels. Cruising around this site, I find that many readers don't much care for Corinn.

Now, having been an unwilling witness (for the most part) of the democratic primary--and the decades' worth of resentment engendered by gender discrimation unburied thereby--I started to see Corinn in a more sympathetic light. When I first read the book, I thought she was self-centered, shallow but strong in the way "entitled" people can be sometimes. Now, I see her more as an avenging feminist icon. She's ticked off. She's been the trophy woman her entire life. People treated her like an object, and no one ever took her seriously. Now she's out for some just desserts. Having sat through a meeting with some very old fat bald white male lawyers (is there any other kind?) last week and been referred to as "the lovely lady" while waiting for my chair to be pulled out for me, I can sympathize.

I was wondering whether anyone felt the same?

[Shelley]

Its really hard for me to see Corinn in a sympathetic light. I'm all for seeing a strong female character but the measures she took to siege power were unforgivable. Complete genocide of a race and doubling the quota... how can that be forgiven? I'm sure she would had even found a way to take care of the rightful heir had battle not done that for her.

You could make the argument that she was desperate and possibly ignorant of all the ramifications, but that argument is flawed for the simple fact the ends never justify the means. Often in history victims have become the aggressors and although its dressed up in a pretty package like Corinn it still doesn't make it right. I find her a stereotypical scorned woman who is hell bent on never being taken advantage of again and vengeance.

I'm sure David wants us to question morality and power and has chosen Corinn as one of his main vehicles for doing so. He eloquently brings along for the ride during her losses, her anger, her awakening to love, her betrayal by love and finally her wrath. She is a very flawed character, so flawed that I have a hard time even considering her a 'grey' character because how can she ever be redemptive after genocide and doubling the slavery of her own subjects?

It is my deepest hope that David is misdirecting us regarding Corinn. Because right now she's set up to become an omnipotent (god talking) queen that is willing to sacrifice her people and her family to maintain her power. In short she is set up to become the villain.

I have no more sympathy for Corinn than I would for Cersei Lannister. There are plenty of literary examples of trophy (often also abused) women becoming strong morally conscious leaders. Within Acacia Mena went for spokeswoman goddess to revolting against that comfortable existence when her conscious differed. She went from being a tool to being a proactive strong woman who went and killed the child eating bird while others hemmed and hawed. And since I mentioned GRRM's ASOFAI there's Daenerys who was abused and has suffered much loss, yet is well on her way to becoming a just ruler as she fights to regain her family's dynasty. Sansa Stark is well into a metamorphosis from bubble headed trophy to potential leader.

And its a very touchy area to apply this to real life current female political candidates but surely every one will be able to tell which female had the impressive educational and professional qualifications, was an impressive mix of class and ruthlessness and which female is just a token trophy (um I mean ex beauty queen). Maybe our society found one type of female less threatening and that's why she ended up on a ticket? As a feminist I see that as hollow as a victory can get.

[Alzara]

I absolutely LOVE Corrin. I had my doubts at first (she seemed a little morbid and helpless), but the almost villain-esque role she now holds has elevated her to my favourite character.

I'm a bit of a sucker for supreme villains and a sexy, charismatic, god-talking evil-dictator-woman makes me feel all warm inside

Al

[David]

I gotta say, it's a lot of fun listening to you folks talk about my characters! Love it. Makes me want to go and write more!

It's probably not a good idea for me to say anything about what I have planned for Corinn, except... I will say this. She's her own character. While she may share some traits with others, ultimately the role she has in the unfolding story isn't quite like anybody else.

At least, that how I see it. But I'll be hoping to hear from you all once we're able to get this next book into your hands...

[Caliban]

I don't presume do know what David has is store for Corrin, but I found his treatment of this character to be full of life and resplendent contradictions. My reading of the text was that she was the unlucky one not to gain the insight the other children benefited from by escaping their provincial world to experience a different culture, and ergo, by forces beyond her control, is cast in the role as a villain for the next installment.

However, if the first book is any indication of where David is taking the second, all bets are off. I love how he kept me on my toes with the first book and constantly surprised me with (what i would call) his humanistic insight into the plights of oppressed peoples and characters.

In short, David has done an exemplary job articulating the conflicting motives of all of his characters. Even the antagonists of the novel are not subjugated to a one-dimensional persona and are instead given noble qualities that anyone could admire.

I write this with the belief that David will surprise me with the development of Corrin's character and destiny just as he did with the first book. Admittedly, I am totally in love with this series and have (based on the level of execution from his first book) every reason to believe that David will enchant and challenge us once again. I, for one, cannot wait.

[Bruce]

I feel she was shaped by her experiences just like the others. Product of her environment and all that. It was easy for me to see that she had good qualities that were suppressed and twisted by the events in her life, starting with her mother's death.