The Three Hoarsemen (Episode 09): The Works of Charles Sheffield and Ann Leckie’s ANCILLARY JUSTICE (With Guest Hoarseman Paul Weimer)

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Jeff Patterson in The Three Hoarsemen // 11 Comments

Venturing out of the soaking rain and bitter cold of March in which they spent more time hibernating than podcasting, John E. O. Stevens, Fred Kiesche and Jeff Patterson add a fourth saddle to their April episode. Paul Weimer, who has commented at every genre blog possible and who has appeared in more podcasts than you can listen to comfortably in one sitting, joins the Three Hoarsemen for this episode.

While hibernating, we spent much time reading, and now gather around the communal fire pit to discuss the works of the late Charles Sheffield, their reactions to Ann Leckie’s Nebula-nominated novel Ancillary Justice, as well as the bits and pieces of the genre that we consumed since last time.

Approx. 1 Hour 25 Minutes

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Kathryn (@Loerwyn) // April 9, 2014 at 4:15 pm //

I agree with Jeff is right about AJ – the buzz was too praiseworthy for it, and that’s kinda why I bounced off it. I couldn’t take it for what it was, because I was always expecting more. I also agree about the length – what it had would work better in a novella. In a novel, it just got too much too quickly. It was also too focused on its little tricks – “Look at what I’m doing here!” moments throughout, even in the 100 or so pages I read. Maybe it would have clicked for me eventually, but it was too… interested in showing me things and not interested enough in giving me a reason to care.

John’s comment on pronouns vs descriptions was also pretty true to my experience. I spent more time trying to work things out from a lack of details, and that’s a problem. How can you focus on the story when you’re just trying to get your head around the characters?

But I’m glad to hear some of the issues given voice, and to know it’s not just me and a couple of others who went “… what?” at it a bit.

Also: Yay for a mention of Metamorphosis. I love it <3

Only comics I'm really reading are Alex + Ada (Image) and Wraith (IDW). First is about a guy who's given an android, and the second is a Joe Hill comic.

Steve O // April 9, 2014 at 7:25 pm //

Have to agree with you. I gave up on AJ after about 100 pages. I just didn’t care about the story or the characters.

Fred Kiesche // April 9, 2014 at 6:32 pm //

Who keeps letting these guys on the intertubes?

Kathryn (@Loerwyn) // April 10, 2014 at 2:55 am //

I think you’d need more than a crowbar to get Paul out of genre fandom.
- Jeff Patterson // April 10, 2014 at 8:27 am //
  
  We’re gonna give him a cooking show.
  - Kathryn (@Loerwyn) // April 10, 2014 at 9:36 am //
    
    Any specific types of food? Or will it be more like a Swedish Chef routine?
    - John E. O. Stevens // April 10, 2014 at 10:13 am //
      
      “In each episode of ‘Speculative Cuisine,’ our host will cook a dish, photograph it, and then discuss in which fantastic worlds one would eat such a dish.”
      - Jeff Patterson // April 10, 2014 at 11:41 am //
        
        Goddamn it, Ogre, but that’s a brilliant idea.
      - Kathryn (@Loerwyn) // April 10, 2014 at 4:14 pm //
        
        Well, considering Paul has read everything, I think there’d be no-one else better qualified to do that. So Jeff is right. BRILLIANT idea!
      - Paul Weimer // April 10, 2014 at 8:49 pm //
        
        I’m a better photographer than a cook!

Rob B // April 10, 2014 at 7:25 am //

A refreshing change-of-pace look at AJ, a book I’ve made my feelings clear about on the twitters. I think no book could have lived up to the extraordinary hype / praise / buzz it was generating leading up to its publication.