Episode 110 - The Pride
This month is Episode 9 - The Pride. The panel discusses the spec-fic books that address or represent the queer community through characters, themes, or by their authors. Hear about Rainbow Rowell's Carry On, Tamsyn Muir's Gideon the Ninth, Arthur C Clarke's The Fountains of Paradise, and H. E. Edgmon's The Witch King.
The Fountains of Paradise by Arthur C Clarke
This story is mainly remembered because of its scientifically sound description of a space elevator - a structure that is constructed at the equator to a satellite in geocentric orbit. The main theme is the construction of the elevator with all its difficulties. There are two subplots that frame the main story. One concerns the construction of a pleasure garden in the distant past and the other an alien encounter in the future. There are many challenges with the construction both politically and technically. You’ll have to read it to see if they succeed!
Acting as the role of historian on the panel, Brian wanted to introduce a significant author that is not often remembered as gay!
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The Witch King by H. E. Edgmon
The Witch King features a trans witch named Wyatt Croft who is out to save a fae kingdom, all while navigating his betrothal to the fae prince Emyr North. Unfortunately, Wyatt loses control of his magic one night and flees to the human world. Now his prince is hunting him down.
Despite transgender Wyatt’s newfound identity and troubling past, Emyr claims they must marry now or risk losing the throne. Jaded, Wyatt strikes a deal with the enemy, hoping to escape the kingdom forever. But as he gets to know Emyr again, Wyatt realizes the boy he once loved may still exist. And as the witches face worsening conditions, he must decide what’s more important—his people or his freedom.
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Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
It's very provocative to say this book (and the rest of the series) is about lesbian space necromancers. While that's not incorrect, it's also far from accurate.
In the first book we follow Gideon Nav, a sort of prisoner servant, as she is forced to serve as the bodyguard to the necromancer Harrowhark Nonagesimus. Harrow, and by extension Gideon, are summoned to the Homeworld of the emperor for a series of tests, trials, and classes. All of the other houses also send a necromancer, all of whom are skiing their best to become part of the First House and serve the emperor as one of his saints. On the way there is murder, mystery, magic, and more.
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Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Carry On's full title is actually "Carry On: The Rise and Fall of Simon Snow". It is set in a magical school - not unlike a Hogwarts or a Brakebills - and follows Simon Snow's last year. He is the proverbial "Chosen One" who is expected to beat the big bad that's been terrorizing the World of Mages for years. The story is told through different perspectives - Simon, his roommate/enemy Baz, his best friend Penelope, and his ex-girlfriend Agatha.
The plot follows Simon's final year in school and his relationship with his vampire roommate, Baz. In fact for the start of the book and the school year, Baz is actually absent for two months with no explanation, which really bothers Simon. There's a lot of great adventures through the novel - vampires, ghosts, murder, mystery, twists and turns and it really is just a lot of good fun.
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