Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2003 10:28:39 -0700
From: maa32 
Subject: (urth) stew

Well, there ARE a few important details about food in New Sun.  The 
pomegranate that drips from the eater's mouth, and Dr. Talos' lack of apetite, 
etc.  Meals are important in Wolfe, but what they eat is not necessarily 
emphasized EXCEPT in Long Sun for those stupid tomatoes that Silk and Maytera 
Rose have a disgusting battle of wills over. I've always thought that that 
scene was far more important than I understood ... why else would we talk 
about slices of food forever?

Also, it is important that Silk from Book of the Short Sun never eats and gets 
sick in winter.  So, yes, I think it is worthwhile to pay attention to the 
meals in Wolfe books, but I spend countless pages skimming over the banquet 
scenes in other fantasy books.  Who cares what they ate if I can't learn 
anything from it? (Unless it's weird, orginal food, like in Jack Vance's "The 
Face") Can Severian use the Claw to eliminate his excrement if someone is 
following him? Are fantasy people immune from parasites when they pee in a 
stream? Does Robinson Crusoe have any sexual urges while he's trapped on the 
island?  Some things are better left unexplored in a fantasy world ... I 
think.

Marc Aramini



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