Also, also I had a theory about the nature of Montalvo's curse--suppose that it affected only named places? Even places named as simply and generally as "my house"; "our garden"? This would explain why the wilderness does not wither as he passes through it, as sparrows and ants have no names for their nests. This would further make sense in light of the distinction running through the narrative between Fixed-life and Life-on-the-Road. When a place is named it becomes in some sense a "real" place, in as much as now you can point to it on a map and say "there!" The wilderness/the road is vague, undefined, diaphanous, not susceptible to any one fixed name because it carries them all in flux.
I must say, I'm really enjoying the slow burn of these chapters. It gives the story time to develop its setting and characters. Also excellent use of in-world lore. Vatis's stories make sense where they show up in the narration, instead of just being random bits of poetry, sprinkled about for spice.
I'm glad your enjoying it. Vatis helps tremendously with seamless world building, just based on his character type and his goals. Thank you for reading!
Also, also I had a theory about the nature of Montalvo's curse--suppose that it affected only named places? Even places named as simply and generally as "my house"; "our garden"? This would explain why the wilderness does not wither as he passes through it, as sparrows and ants have no names for their nests. This would further make sense in light of the distinction running through the narrative between Fixed-life and Life-on-the-Road. When a place is named it becomes in some sense a "real" place, in as much as now you can point to it on a map and say "there!" The wilderness/the road is vague, undefined, diaphanous, not susceptible to any one fixed name because it carries them all in flux.
You might be on to something...
I must say, I'm really enjoying the slow burn of these chapters. It gives the story time to develop its setting and characters. Also excellent use of in-world lore. Vatis's stories make sense where they show up in the narration, instead of just being random bits of poetry, sprinkled about for spice.
I'm glad your enjoying it. Vatis helps tremendously with seamless world building, just based on his character type and his goals. Thank you for reading!
“ Vatis bobbled the catch ungracefully.”
I can picture that moment exactly.