Posted by Dan Gunter on June 27, 1999 at 01:58:59:
In Reply to: Re: Unspiek, Baron Boddissey - any thoughts? posted by Nick Edwards on June 26, 1999 at 09:49:13:
"Unspiek" I take to be "unspeak": suggesting "unspeakable," but also "not speaking." The pun (and I'm pretty sure I'm not just making it up) suggests that Baron Boddissey is not fully Vance's mouthpiece; or maybe he is, and Vance is playing a double bluff. He is, after all, a tremendously crafty writer!
As for Boddissey: well, I don't see anything there. "Odyssey"? I can't get much out of it. "Odd"? Again, not helpful. "Bawd"? Entirely pointless. I wondered if it was a family name, or . . . ? Vance has invented an author named "Jan Holberk Vanz" in one of the works (and it seems to me it was one of the Demon Princes books, but I could be wrong).
I'm positive that I have read more than one attack on Unspiek and his interminable book in one or more of the Demon Princes books. Research on that issue would be enjoyable (an excuse to delve into Vance), but I'm afraid that I have to work all day tomorrow, and then I'll be away from home (and e-mail, etc.) for a couple of weeks. Perhaps someone else could help me out--or establish that I'm just hallucinating again.
I'm not sure that I could recommend anyone going to the Monomantic Seminary. But that raises another question: Has anyone ever done a survey of how many young women pay with their lives for dallying with Vance heroes? I can think of four off the top of my head: Suldrun, Sessily Veder, the young "nun" at the Monomantic Seminary (Lilo?), and the young Talisman woman at the beginning of "City of the Chasch." Ylin Ylan may also count. The young woman in "Star King" also pays for dallying with Vance, although not with her life.
No suggestion behind this; just seems like a theme.
: Hey Dan,
: It never occured to me that there was any hidden meaning in the name of the Baron, could you please explain you're ideas, i will be reading with both eyes.
: PS Can you name me any character or institution, text, pamphlet prose document or amateur song; depicted in even a neutral light; who carps at the Baron. (Obviously one of the good guys would be even better and I would instantly repudiate my beliefs and retire to the Monomantic Seminary.)
: cheers