The Theradane Cycle: 1 by Scott Lynch
© 2018 Scott Lynch, Published by Scott Lynch at Smashwords,
ISBN 978-0-692-19212-2 (ebook)
I did a review a month or so ago of Gentleman Bastard, a trilogy by Scott Lynch. I happened to compare it to Samuel Delany’s short masterpiece, “Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones” due in part part to the face-shifting nature of the protagonist, HCE, and the wildly imaginative and vivid plot. The Locke Lamora series was far more complex, of course.
Now I find myself comparing a novella of Lynch’s to the same story, but for an entirely different reason. A Year and A Day in Old Theradane is short (about 60 pages) and has a linear plot with only a handful of significant characters. Like his novels and Helix, it’s a caper story.
The reason I thought of Delany (again) was because Helix was amusing and entertaining as all hell, with quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. The central character, Amarelle Parathis, is an unrepentant probationer who has just managed to insult a wizard with a truly amazing stream of invective and, having violated parole, is now facing Theradane’s unique punishment; to be turned forever into a talking street light there to confess her sins to all passers-by. But the wizard she insulted has an offer to avoid becoming a city maintenance headache; she has to steal something for the wizard. Specifically, she has to steal a street.
Comedy in fantasy/science fiction are usually pretty hit or miss. Oh, there was Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, of course. Frederick Brown’s comedy is out of date, but was splendid in its day. David Brin has his brilliantly funny moments. Then there’s Asimov; the less said the better. His humor was cringeworthy back in the 60s, and it hasn’t aged well.
Theradane shines because of the amazing world building, the dialog, and a deep-seated rebelliousness against those who abuse their authority, along with the fecklessness of gleeful thieves and con artists.
Lynch, sadly, has personal and medical issues that have interrupted his career as a writer. I’m wishing him the best; his is a wild talent, and just the work he’s done ranks him as one of the top in his craft.