| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 01 Jun 2007 : 17:16:14
Well met
This is a Book Club thread for the short story of Elminster's Jest, in The Best of the Realms, Book III anthology, by Elaine Cunningham. Please discuss herein: |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Jun 2007 : 01:34:47
I loved it, Elaine.
I've even made a copy for the wall of my workstation -- for times of work-related stress when I really feel that I need a laugh.
Thanks. 
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| The Sage |
Posted - 06 Jun 2007 : 15:43:43
Indeed. Hmmm... I think you've shared this one with us before, though. I distinctly recall having it on file already. I'll have to check.
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| The Sage |
Posted - 06 Jun 2007 : 02:30:28
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Well, there's the song from the tale-end of Silver Shadows:
Ah, yes. I'll have to add that to the file.
I appreciate that Elaine. Thanks
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| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 05 Jun 2007 : 23:22:27
quote:
Originally posted by initiate
If Elminster himself knew that the title attributed it to him, [and who knows, he may], I'm sure he would not be displeased!
I cleared the title with Ed Greenwood, so I think it's safe to assume that Elminster is aware of the situation. 
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| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 05 Jun 2007 : 19:02:51
Well, there's the song from the tale-end of Silver Shadows:
We've come to mourn the paladin,
That best and noblest sort of man.
His way was clear, his will was strong,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong.
Alone he faced the orcish hoard
And, dauntless, raised his mighty sword.
He did not flinch, he did not blink,
He surely did not stop and think.
The halls of Tempus open wide.
Our paladin is led inside.
He shares with all his rightous creed
And frowns on wenching, ale, and mead.
So do not mourn this hero's death
Though of his strength you are bereft.
If you must weep, weep for the god
Who must endure the tiresome sod. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 05 Jun 2007 : 01:01:00
 Wonderful!
I've got to start compiling all these ballads into a single file. Elaine, you don't, by any chance, have a few more Danilo-crafted ballads you could perhaps share with us here?
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| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 04 Jun 2007 : 18:23:47
Ah, yes. That was one of Danilo's more innane ballads, originally published in Elfshadow. At the time (1990), the editor (Jim Lowder) took an opinion poll in the book department as to whether or not it went over the Code of Conduct line. It made the cut, but I've got to admit that with this little ditty, Danilo was working the Scarlett Pimpernel schtick overtime.
They're far from staid after a raid
Those men of Zhentil Keep;
They kill off all the women
For they much prefer the sheep.
The men don't eat their ill-got treat;
Not one of them's a glutton.
So isn't it a marvel
That they always smell of mutton?
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| Kajehase |
Posted - 03 Jun 2007 : 10:24:21
Can't agree more than I already do. This is one piece of text that will be read a lot when I need a quick pick-me-up.
And the "northern song" that Tzigone recites in The Magehound is pretty "nice" too. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 01 Jun 2007 : 23:26:51
quote:
Originally posted by initiate
When the book club threads didn't appear in May, I assumed they'd been opted against.
Yes, I had thought the same thing. As for this little ditty, I loved it myself. It's as dirty as I like them to be.  |
| initiate |
Posted - 01 Jun 2007 : 19:13:49
I really enjoy how nastily amusing this song is. I'm quite taken with it at the moment, and reread it quickly every couple of days or so. I remember being kind of disappointed that only the first bit appeared in Elfsong, and wondering at the time what the rest of it might sound like. If Elminster himself new that the title attributed it to him, [and who knows, he may], I'm sure he would not be displeased!
Pieces like this really show the variety of styles Elaine Cunningham is capable of pulling off well in my opinion. I'm thinking the rest of the collection will show off more of this variety, as just flipping through the introductions quickly I see: a first person narrative, a mystery, a ghost story, and a metastory, to name a few.
When the book club threads didn't appear in May, I assumed they'd been opted against. I'm glad I was wrong! I just got my book a couple days ago, and have only read "Elminster's Jest" in full, as I want to savour the stories. After all, once its over. . . its over, and this sort of thing doesn't come along every day. However, discussing the stories with other scribes gives me an excuse to forge ahead immediately. Onward into the Realms!
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