Lythande

Bought second hand in Hay-on-Wye :) I saw it and remembered how much I'd liked it and how my sister got to keep our copy... ( )

I love me a good sword and sorcery story: I remembered Lythande from her first appearance in Thieves World, a shared world anthology that included not just Marion Zimmer Bradley but Poul Anderson, John Brunner, and in other books in that world Philip José Farmer, David Drake, A.E. van Vogt, C.J. Cherryh. I'm also a Marion Zimmer Bradley fan, or at least, a fan of her Darkover books. Looking to winnow my book collection, I couldn't bear to get rid of even the weaker books in that world, but I find it easy to let go of Lythande.

This isn't a novel but six linked short stories about Lythande, an "Adept of the Blue Star" whose powers depend on keeping a secret--that's she's really a woman disguised as a man. In her introduction Marion Zimmer Bradley all but says Lythande is a lesbian, yet insists she doesn't want to cater to the "unhealthy curious male" by writing about lesbian women. It seemed an odd statement. Maybe it's just the times this was published in--1986, but I don't get why the question is even raised given it's obvious this is part of Lythande's identity. Actually, given her situation I think it would be more poignant if she were drawn to men--she can reveal her secret to women, but not men. In fact, Lythande doesn't relate to men at all--not as brother, father, mentor, colleague or friend and most of the men in these stories are fools, cads, or rapists. I didn't like how she made fun of the stammerer in "The Incompetent Magician." Sometimes details were inconsistent, and often repetitive as each story gives her background. Most important, I didn't remember any of the stories without rereading--they're just not that memorable. Indeed, my favorite story in the collection was the only one not by MZB but by Vonda McIntyre, "Looking for Satan." I'd recommend other books by MZB over this one, and the anthology Thieves' World over Lythande. ( )

Not wonderful. I actually like several of the Lythande stories, individually - but all together like this they get very annoying. Particularly the fact that every story focuses on Lythande regretting her bargain - she must live as a man (or lose her power, and probably die), but wahhhh. First story, The Secret of the Blue Star - the intro to Lythande (and the only time MZB wrote her for Thieves World, which I hadn't realized) - it was better, I think, the first time I read it, before I knew what the twist was. It wasn't until the last couple paragraphs, when the story did The Big Reveal, that I realized that I wasn't supposed to know that Lythande was a woman. But wahhh, the girl can't love her. The Incompetent Magician - less of the wahhh but a lot of cogitating on the fact that Rastafyre's wand was related to his prowess - and a killing made necessary by her secret. It doesn't have any of the generally annoying bits, but Rastafyre is so stupid (though I like Ca-ca-Carrier) that I dislike the story. Oh, and the final bit where Lythande struggles to give up the woman she wanted to bind to her...wish she could have saved the lute, though. Somebody Else's Magic - MZB talks a lot about feminism (and the fact that Lythande does _not_ relate to it) in the foreword. But in the story, Lythande is really nasty about "women's magic" and how women react to things - and then finds out it wasn't the sword forcing her to everything, but her own idea, at least a little. Some of her twists and turns trying not to reveal herself while tied to "women's magic" are interesting, and the final scene would be amusing except I'm disgusted with both of them by then. And wahhh, she never had the chance to try women's magic, she had to go for men's - therefore she is stronger/better/whatever than these women. Hmmmph. Sea Wrack - again with the wahhh. Mercenary magician obsessing about whether she should help on this - and again, a strongly sex-based problem (and what's wrong with boys, then? Do boys fall in love before they get their growth, and girls after?). The mermaid starts with sex/love and only reduces to music when Lythande manages to resist, and even then tries to wrap it in love and 'sisterhood'. And Lythande regrets it wasn't real and she did what she came for. Wahhh. The Wandering Lute - this is the first story that continues in The Gratitude of Kings (published separately). And again, sex and gender are the primary focus. I like Alnath and Eirthe (and want to read Cold Fire), but Tashgan's primary characteristic is that he's a horndog and expects every other male to be the same. Lythande takes on his burden and deals with what his various host(esses) expect, until she runs up against Beauty. At least this time, she's not regretting not being herself - she's rather pleased at having escaped. And by the way, her Doom keeps changing - if her sex is proclaimed "by any Pilgrim-Adept" or "before any man" or... that really should have been checked, it does make a major difference! The last story is Looking for Satan by Vonda McIntyre - not sure why it's here, though. Lythande is a major secondary character but not a viewpoint one. I like Wess and the others (though Chan/Chad is conveniently obtuse an awful lot). I think some of them showed up again in other stories, too. But again, the obsession with sex/gender and with love and the confusion between the two. Bah. I think I like Lythande, as a person, but these stories don't show her in the best light. I'll be careful, in future, not to read too many Lythande stories in one go - leave enough time in between that I don't see only the common thread of gender politics, but can enjoy the individual stories. ( )

NIL

Anthology of short stories about Lythande, a woman who must stay disguised as a man or lose her sorcery and her life. I used to really like this book, but now I only really like the last two stories.

The Secret of the Blue Star
A look at how difficult it can be for Lythande to have to hide the truth from everyone.

The Incompetant Magician
Lythande performs a task for a fellow magician in exchange for a remnant of her past. The story itself isn't very interesting, but the end is kind of sweet.

Somebody Else's Magic
Lythande's secret is threatened when she aids a dying woman and is bound by somebody else's magic. A frustrating story with disgusting attitudes toward women and a weird ending.

Sea Wrack
Lythande decides to help a fishing village rid itself of a murderous mermaid. Not terrible, but again there are some odd attitudes toward women, or rather girls.

The Wandering Lute
Lythande attempts to disenchant a lute and has amusing adventures on the way. There is a sequel story, The Gratitude of Kings, that isn't in this book. I like both stories; there are several entertaining characters and situations.

Looking for Satan by Vonda McIntyre
This story isn't told from Lythande's perspective but that of Wess, a girl from the north who has come south with her companions to find their kidnapped friend Satan. They meet Lythande in the city and Wess and Lythande strike up a curious relationship. It is without question the strongest story in the book and far and away my favorite. ( )