Hi, that’s once again me. I’m always happy to see a new chapter of yours, even if finding it in the morning nearly results in me being late. Anyway, I’ve had to wait with making comments till evening. But now – here I go.
– Col. George Walker-Smythe – Maj. A.A.M. al-Masri – Susan The problem of British Intelligence understanding „Narnia” as code (introduced at the end of 8 chapter) disturbes me. I can see, of course, how you lead Susan to "The Last Battle". But there are other problems as well. The rest of the Four, Eustace, professor Kirke or Polly Plummer – they are not bound to keep silence. Quite the opposite, it’s unthinkable that Susan could ask them not to talk about Narnia (I suppose the moment she would do that would be a moment she stops to be „a Friend of Narnia”). But as the most of them are close to Asim, we could assume that sooner or later he’ll hear them talking about Narnia and other associated places and creatures. If anyone, he’s the one who could believe that „Narnia” is something more then just a code to deceive censors (especially that he saw telegram from Edmund to Peter in chapter 15 p. 4 of "The Stone Gryphon"). But will he believe it is more important than rules of secrecy in Intelligence Service during the war? I expect there to be a fight between his duty and practicality against somewhat unreasonable Peter’s influence on him (of the Friends of Narnia Peter is on the strongest position here – at least until Asim finally meets Lucy).
– Susan – Eustace I am really happy to see her 100% Narnian Queen Susan the Gentle here.
– Tebbitt – Susan P.S. and P.P.S. – I’ve imagined the situation. Charming.
– Anne Featherstone – Mrs. Alastair Francis Featherstone >I have found, since returning to school, a frog in my shoes, spiders in my bed, and a mouse nest among my jumpers. Carefully. Remember Lucy’s age. Was there no better way to show her disapproval to Anne? And yes, I’ve read what she had written to Aidan. Just – be careful.
– Eustace – Edmund > You called it. I knew it would be awful returning, and it is. Well, Edmund went through all this after his first return from Narnia, no surprise that he was able to warn his cousin. In fact, it must have been even worse for Edmund as his change was much stronger and – from his point of view – much more time had passed. The voyage of the Dawn Treader took few months. Edmund had to answer for his misconduct after many years.
– Anning Russell – Mr. John Taylor I really like her style of writing – scientifical mixed with open insults. Plus a threat at the end. Probably the best example of individual style of letter corresponding to person’s character.
– Miss Lucy Pevensie – Lawrence Holt – Frederick James Leathers, 1st Viscount Leathers Well said – short (so they wouldn’t have any excuses not to read it), clear, concrete and peremptory. I really like Lucy as a person who reacts when she sees anything she doesn’t like – without thinking if she is the right person to do so. Sort of „Who, if not me”-person. Or rather: „Something should be done so I do it, no matter if others are doing that as well/consider it proper or not”. Relation between Lucy and Polly seems very strong and very natural. I suppose it is highly based on similarity of characters – despite all the differences. In „The Stone Gryphon” you’ve written about Polly „Regiments would part before her” and „Polly thought a battalion of bus touring English Maiden (Ha!) aunts could probably clean Berlin of Nazis”. Lucy the Valiant has the same strength of the person who won’t slow down, expecting a wall in front of her to collapse just before she reaches it.
– Edmund Pevensie – Lt. Colonel Thomas B. Clark I intended to comment that one as well but then I realised that it would lead to another long history lecture. So I reconsidered.
from Krystyna
I’m always happy to see a new chapter of yours, even if finding it in the morning nearly results in me being late. Anyway, I’ve had to wait with making comments till evening. But now – here I go.
– Col. George Walker-Smythe – Maj. A.A.M. al-Masri – Susan
The problem of British Intelligence understanding „Narnia” as code (introduced at the end of 8 chapter) disturbes me. I can see, of course, how you lead Susan to "The Last Battle". But there are other problems as well. The rest of the Four, Eustace, professor Kirke or Polly Plummer – they are not bound to keep silence. Quite the opposite, it’s unthinkable that Susan could ask them not to talk about Narnia (I suppose the moment she would do that would be a moment she stops to be „a Friend of Narnia”). But as the most of them are close to Asim, we could assume that sooner or later he’ll hear them talking about Narnia and other associated places and creatures. If anyone, he’s the one who could believe that „Narnia” is something more then just a code to deceive censors (especially that he saw telegram from Edmund to Peter in chapter 15 p. 4 of "The Stone Gryphon"). But will he believe it is more important than rules of secrecy in Intelligence Service during the war? I expect there to be a fight between his duty and practicality against somewhat unreasonable Peter’s influence on him (of the Friends of Narnia Peter is on the strongest position here – at least until Asim finally meets Lucy).
– Susan – Eustace
I am really happy to see her 100% Narnian Queen Susan the Gentle here.
– Tebbitt – Susan
P.S. and P.P.S. – I’ve imagined the situation. Charming.
– Anne Featherstone – Mrs. Alastair Francis Featherstone
>I have found, since returning to school, a frog in my shoes, spiders in my bed, and a mouse nest among my jumpers.
Carefully. Remember Lucy’s age. Was there no better way to show her disapproval to Anne? And yes, I’ve read what she had written to Aidan. Just – be careful.
– Eustace – Edmund
> You called it. I knew it would be awful returning, and it is.
Well, Edmund went through all this after his first return from Narnia, no surprise that he was able to warn his cousin. In fact, it must have been even worse for Edmund as his change was much stronger and – from his point of view – much more time had passed. The voyage of the Dawn Treader took few months. Edmund had to answer for his misconduct after many years.
– Anning Russell – Mr. John Taylor
I really like her style of writing – scientifical mixed with open insults. Plus a threat at the end. Probably the best example of individual style of letter corresponding to person’s character.
– Miss Lucy Pevensie – Lawrence Holt – Frederick James Leathers, 1st Viscount Leathers
Well said – short (so they wouldn’t have any excuses not to read it), clear, concrete and peremptory.
I really like Lucy as a person who reacts when she sees anything she doesn’t like – without thinking if she is the right person to do so. Sort of „Who, if not me”-person. Or rather: „Something should be done so I do it, no matter if others are doing that as well/consider it proper or not”.
Relation between Lucy and Polly seems very strong and very natural. I suppose it is highly based on similarity of characters – despite all the differences. In „The Stone Gryphon” you’ve written about Polly „Regiments would part before her” and „Polly thought a battalion of bus touring English Maiden (Ha!) aunts could probably clean Berlin of Nazis”. Lucy the Valiant has the same strength of the person who won’t slow down, expecting a wall in front of her to collapse just before she reaches it.
– Edmund Pevensie – Lt. Colonel Thomas B. Clark
I intended to comment that one as well but then I realised that it would lead to another long history lecture. So I reconsidered.