Chapter Three: The bargrill was near the shuttleport, a smoky, noisy place crowded with grease-apes, shuttle-toughs, fuelies, and any number of local street-livers.
And now the tables turn. We learn the red-haired lady’s name — Robertson. Miri Robertson. — an echo of 007 there — and also her professions: mercenary soldier and bodyguard. Val Con was right: this lady is formidable by trade.
The reader is given a lot of information in this scene — Liadens, we’re told, count coup, but Terrans don’t, Miri using this as her reason for refusing his idea of her owing him, because she, after all, is Terran.
He seems startled, but makes another argument — “It is dishonorable for a soldier not to know the enemy!” — and that one makes sense to her. We learn who’s after her and why. And it’s decided — or, rather, Val Con decides — that she will continue to accompanying him. He offers her a change of identity. Which in retrospect is a very odd thing for him to offer. But we don’t know that, yet. Still coming to terms with the fact that she’s alive, and having no place else to go, Miri follows him.
Arriving at Cargo Master Phillips’ apartment on the wealthy side of town, we get more characterization. Miri’s not used to fine things; Val Con is. She tries a bit of banter; he answers in kind. They’re both literally too tired to fight. Miri retires, but Val Con — Val Con recites his own name — all of it, and has a teatime of the soul, giving us a quick look of the life of a spy with specialty in impersonating other people. He wonders how many people he has killed in the last three Standards — and now we know how long he’s been doing this. And suddenly, he gets up — to play music, and to find — or at least look for — himself.
There may still be three people in the world who don’t know this, so for them I will say: Agent of Change was written in three months, and to the music from the Talking Heads’ album “Stop Making Sense,” particularly “Life During Wartime” and “Once in a Lifetime.” There is a particularly poignant line in “Lifetime”: And you may ask yourself: Am I right or am I wrong?/And you may say to yourself, “My god, what have I done?
Chapter Four: Miri woke and stretched slowly, eyes focusing on the clock across the room.
Next morning’s newspaper and a breakfast confrontation. I wrote the scene. Steve wrote Selene‘s ad for a new cargo master. Steve had a way with a classified ad. I am amused by Val Con ordering milk out of the chef. When I met him, Steve preferred milk to coffee, and I wrote it like I saw it.
I am little unhappy with Miri’s decision to send a deadly, crazy guy to her fostermother. On the other hand, the concept of “partners” seems to be working powerfully on Val Con and on Miri, and Liz herself, though she gives him a hard time and makes obligatory protective parent noises, doesn’t find him completely unlikely. And Miri is therefore reunited with the few items she considers to be the most valuable things she owns.
Miri’s adventures with the collection agency and the making of the tape seem unnecessarily complex on this reading and I am actually unhappy with, “I think you look like a whore.” I do like, “Are you going to wash your face?”
I am likewise unhappy with the little interaction with Pete; and the supposed ending zinger, though I suppose that could be in character for Cargo Master Philips. I remain deeply in love with triggering the smoke detectors by setting brandy on fire to achieve a diversion.
Chapter Five: He was male, though that rarely mattered to him.
While our heroes are being evacuated along with the other residents, the authors direct our attention to the lobby, where a new character has just entered the story.
Edger as he finally came to be written is formed from two characters.
From Steve came the insurance salesbeing, Honest John. John sold life insurance. Which was to say, if you bought insurance from John, he would make sure nobody killed you. This occasionally became . . . complicated, if not outright bloody.
From me came The Green People, who had existed, when I was telling Miri and Val Con stories inside my head, to mix up the plot when it got too hard for me to fix by doing something Alien and inscrutable. The Green People’s actions didn’t have to make sense, because they were aliens.
Steve wrote the introduction to Edger and his brothers. I’m a little sad, now, that Edger didn’t get to listen to the concert they were originally walking out to observe. On the other hand, he did still get music. While Steve was busy with the Clutch, I got Val Con and Miri into the lobby and behind the shrubbery. Steve wrote the meeting between the brothers; I wrote the cop (And take this zoo with you!) and Miri’s commentary.
One more thing about the scene in the lobby. In the copy edits, there was an editorial note by Val Con’s speech that begins, “I am honored that you recognize the workmanship,” that said, more-or-less Nobody who talks like this would have forgotten the word AUNT (referencing Val Con’s confusion at breakfast). And I remember refuting that with: But, somebody’s messed with his head. It’s characterization. Astonishingly, it was let to stand.
At Edger’s hotel, a meal is shared and introductions are made. Miri has some native wit, aside being a smart aleck. We learn that Edger and his brothers are on a sales trip, investigating markets for the knives their clan — Middle River (both Steve’s stepfather and my grandfather had camps on Middle River, back in the day). We learn that Clutch and humans think of time very differently, and that Val Con had promised to return to Edger’s clan . . . someday.
Then, it’s time for entertainment, and Miri is musical too!.
Chapter Six: The staff at the hyatt in Econsey were even more impressed with the members of Edger’s group than the staff at the City House, where they’d spent the previous night had been.
Edger likes his luxury, too, and Miri’s way over her head. Also, the guy who owes isn’t being easy to track down, and money is becoming a serious issue for her. As she’s considering her present situation, it occurs to her she has a resource to hand, and that perhaps it might be wise to ask a question about one of her treasures.
Edger, in the meantime, is out paying sales calls and makes what seems to be a fortuitous connection. And, yes, the lovely box that Mr. Justin Hostro has procured for his daughter’s birthday! How could such a piece of art fail to delight? I wrote that. I regret nothing.
In another part of Edger’s suite, Val Con’s Chance of Personal Survival is lower than Chance of Mission Success. He ignores this in favor of finding more music in the chora, until he’s startled by Miri tossing her enamel disk down in front of him. The authors immediately — and wisely — make the choice to “prove” that this is not a stolen item — Val Con knows the device and the Clan to which it’s attached. From the geneology on the opposite side, we learn that Miri was named for her grandmother, and that the name Val Con gives as Tiazan is known by her to be Tayzin — what we may take for a Terranized version.
Val Con tells us about his father, his mother and his mother’s death.
This is one of those things that makes it look like we had planned everything that has ever occurred in the Liaden Univese before (or at least while we were writing) the first book. In fact, we didn’t plan everything out, and Agent of Change itself is practically stream of consciousness. What Steve and I excelled at was going back through what we’d already written and pulling out useful threads to riff on, later.
The Loop takes advantage of the unguarded moment to goad Val Con into an attack — which he aborts. He sits down and delivers one of the most brilliant and poignant speeches in this book — Steve wrote it –“tools are programmed to protect themselves.” He warns her, right there. Tells her as plain as he’s able that he’s not trustworthy; that even he doesn’t know what he might do. It’s an act of selfless bravery, though neither realizes it.
Handler arrives with the news that there’s to be a party downstairs. Val Con gives Miri a weapon, and addresses her in the wrong dialect.
And I believe I’ll stop here for a bit.
General Notes: Say what you will, this book zips along, and we’re not even 100 pages in. It was said in the Locus review that there was more action in this single novel than in some trilogies, and — I say this humbly — Locus was not wrong.
I’d like to thank everyone who is taking part for their patience, enthusiasm and insights.
“ This is one of those things that makes it look like we had planned everything that has ever occurred in the Liaden Univese before (or at least while we were writing) the first book. In fact, we didn’t plan everything out, and Agent of Change itself is practically stream of consciousness.”
Yes, that is your story and I am sure you will stick to it. However, I am not sure which would have been more impressive, given the number of things you managed to reach back and pluck out and reinsert.
Edger and his kinfolk are sweet, slow-by-human-standards, lugs. But! Dangerous nonetheless. I loved their interaction with Miri. Val Con was clearly conflicted about imposing his condition on Miri…I was impressed with his honesty.
Action-packed novels are my jam…
I also love the writer’s comments. And the correlations between your (Sharon and Steve’s) lives and experience and how it informed the story. I would guess most stories we really relate to have some of that in them. . .
My true life mate also loved these books.
I don’t even know how many times I’ve read this book. I guess I should write it in the cover like my friend did with his Louie L’Amour books! (I’ve read all of those too.)
I confess I am ready to move on to the next book, need to look at your list, though.
I just remembered that the first series I read was the Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis. The Horse and His Boy had a love match that would fit, although it was with early teens, so it had a different tenor, not much if any on the physical attraction, just the action and helping each other, fighting the other side, arguing, very cool speaking style, and HORSES Who Talk. I loved the talking animals. Turtles who talk and are people are very real to me.
Yes, I guess I love all genres; it is the writing style that is key for me. But the Liaden Series is my favorite.
Some of the things I really appreciate in these early scenes:
The choice of the word hyatt for hotel. It falls into the hoover-for-vacuum cleaner pattern and seems so perfect.
Edger’s love of what he perceives as art. It makes him seem at once very alien, because it’s so far from any human idea of art, while also providing quiet assurance that the turtles are civilised individuals.
The descriptions of food here and throughout the books — always supremely appetising! How many wheels of cheese have trundled by along with fruit and warm bread?
One place where the book reflects the technological development level of its day is when Miri goes through the news and kills stories by hitting a button — that would (presumably) come out differently today.
This part, right here, this is where I was hooked forever by this one paragraph:
” I think,” he said slowly, as she took the disc from his hand, “that there is little purpose to thinking things like ‘the Liadens,’ ‘the Clutch,’ ‘the Terrans’ or even ‘the Yxtrang.’ I think the best way to think — and talk– is in particulars: ‘Val Con,’ ‘Miri,’ ‘Edger.’ If you need to think bigger because some things need more people, it might be wise to think ‘Erob,’ ‘Korval,’ ‘Middle River’–a group small enough that you can still name the individuals; a group small enough that you can, in time, know the individuals, the parts of the Clan. Where is the threat in ‘Handler,’ ‘Edger,’ ‘Terrence?'”
I am enjoying the tidbits and background. Like others I had trouble only reading a few chapters and finished my re-read already. Thank you for taking the time to share these notes with us.
The “Setting the room on fire” thing really bothered me. It seemed an inelegant solution, leaving the landlords (or whomever stood in their stead) well out of pocket, with a lot of cleaning up to do.
If I am not mistaken, he chose Brandy as the accelerant – based only on my experience with creating things ‘en flambe’, might this not be a way to create maximum alarm (via automatics) with minimal damage, as the fire would go out rather quickly? Hence the need for so MANY fires. If it acted quickly, they might not be able to escape safely.
I have had a few moments when I wondered at their willingness to partner up/trust one another/send the other to a loved one so readily, but then I remember they are life mates, if not quite yet, then not too far in the future, and perhaps they already are feeling that connection, however tenuous. I wonder, did you know at this point that they would be life mated?
A little late to the party but I feel like these 4 chapters are really building the tension. Looking at the turtles with fresh eyes, I really love the description of them and think how naive Edger is. He thinks in terms of years while the humans think in terms of minutes. The second point is what is happening to Val Con. Since he met Miri he is playing music, he has ignores the Loop, he even aborts dangerous action and at the end of chapter 6 seems to be really caring for her. All of this complete against all the training he speaks up that made him a tool.
I very much enjoyed re-reading these four chapters. I love Edger so much.
I note that I had highlighted just one section one of this previously (not sure from which read through), and that was the bit where Val Con says to Miri: I think that there is little purpose to thinking things like ‘the Liadens,’ ‘the Clutch,’ ‘the Terrans,’ or even ‘the Yxtrang.’ I think the best way to think —and talk—is in particulars: ‘Val Con,’ ‘Miri,’ ‘Edger.’ … and on.
I highlighted it again along with many other bits.
I’m typing one handed on a train so will stop there.
Highly entertaining.
Chapter five:
“He listened for a bar or two, then his right hand began to pick up the rhythm; his left hand shifted further down the keyboard, grabbed her lagging melody, shook it firmly, and set it upon it’s feet.
I feel happy when I read this sentence, and also, more interested in Val Con.
Steve of course was a music reviewer back in the day, and I had had some minor keyboard lessons. I’m glad the line makes you happy. It’s good pretty good.
The most interesting item, as I recall, to me in chapter 3 was Val Con’s reaction to Miri’s declaration that she was terran. That definitely piqued my interest in the story. I was surprise that Val Con did not have to do more to convince Miri to tag along with him.
I was most fascinated with Val Con’s inner thoughts and the “loop” popping up in his thoughts. Having also a (unhealthy according to my lifemate) interest in techno-thrillers I immediately was thinking of the Bourne Identity. So, now I see that Val Con’s secret super-spy persona had cracks. The next morning discussion (and learning that Miri loves her coffee, as do I), was hard for me to understand. Especially with her acquisition to allow Val Con to go retrieve her stuff from, as you described, her foster mother. The entire scene of Miri finding Angus where abouts still doesn’t make sense to me. And having made some flambe dishes, the brandy was a good touch.
Thank you for introducing the Turtle race in chapter 5. At first I thought this might be a MacGuffin, initially, but was as I have explored the Liaden universe, I find that they are much, much more. In any case, it gave Val Con and Miri a chance to escape. Also, it was nice to learn that Miri has both a storehouse of profanity as well as the ability to sing.
The most interesting item to me in chapter 6 was Miri discovering that she was, at least partially, Liaden. And that she was raised without any awareness of this fact, other than that badge.
The biggest take away to me is that I can already see the relationship between Val Con and Miri taking root. Miri, through her own self-interest, has allowed herself to be swept up by this liaden assassin, Val Con. And, though she is wary, she also finds herself feeling more secure. And the great thing to me is it looks like music was the mechanism. Both with Val Con’s initial playing that first night to their impromptu duo with Edger and company. This novel grab my attention from the first sentence and didn’t let go.
Thank you!
So wonderful to read your insights on the book. I am amazed that this was written in 3 months. Very interesting that you added details that were not necessarily part of a larger planned story arc. The stories weave together as if you had a comprehensive master plan all along. As many other readers have said, the turtles are one of my absolute favorite alien races!
Will you also be commenting on the shorter works that accompany the novels?
Both of you checking what has already been written explains why everything seems seemless – at least I have not noticed anything that makes me stop and think “That doesn’t seem to fit.”
I have no plans to do the short stories. It occurs to me that I have a far different understanding of the short stories than many people seem to have.
That’s interesting. I would very much like to know more, if you feel like sharing. I’m no writer and cannot imagine the ramifications
I sat down to read these three chapters and ended up finishing the book…This universe is one I would like to live in, maybe, although I don’t think I’m deadly enough!
Turtle. Turtles are why I read this book (and read it first). I was in the mood for whimsy, and when I saw the cover it captured my fancy. I had difficulty following many of the plot turns at first, but I had no difficulty continuing to read—I was captivated by the characters, by the action, and especially by the repartee.
Wow, the insight that you mined your own work for stuff to riff on later, is huge! I’ve always felt daunted by the wisdom of writers who, after countless novels, reveal that they planned it all from the beginning. I imagine giant bulletin boards with index cards and red thread or huge binders stuffed with cross-referenced knowledge (or the virtual equivalents of these two), and the mind boggled. As usual, it’s these glimpses into process that just fascinate me.
I love that you are doing this. It is SO interesting to read your comments, and the way that you both wrote, or adjusted the writing, as the partnership worked. First one I read was, I think, Er Thom and Anne, but that was sooooo many re-reads ago, that I do not really remember my reading order. Enough to say, I have read all of your books, and most *many* times!
Whereas, something along the lines of “Would you like a wash cloth for your face”, or similar, would work just fine
“You look like a whore”—I agree: that is jarring because it does not sound like someone from a future century/ world would say. It is not at all subtle either, and the whole Liaden thing *is* subtlety!
I probably knew once, but had forgotten, that this book was a 3-month blitz, that was an interesting tidbit. I’m fascinated by the influence of the authors’ real-life soundtrack on the book’s internals, and also by how an “insurance” salesman and some green men became the Clutch.
I’m also excited to have learned the middle river easter egg — not being from Maryland, I’d never have identified it on my own.
I also absolutely loved the washing-face question as I was reading this round, as the Liadens’ faces are so very important to them which we learn as the series develops, and this is our first hint of that.
I am very much enjoying this readalong, and hope that the author is enjoying it too, despite some stated unhappiness with particulars here and there.
The “But, somebody’s messed with his head. It’s characterization,” defense is so very excellent, and quite prescient of them, to let it stand, had they but known it. Look how internally consistent this is, with the Loop explicitly noted (later) to have been stealing energy from things he cared about in life, from family connections to music, dimming his emotions.
Anne, with so many different threads connecting her to him, all rendered, if not invisible, at least hard-to-make-out, and a bunch of them –unconventional– for Liad, it makes sense that he struggled to find a word for her, in Terran no less, more explicit than ‘kinswoman.’
I’m really enjoying hearing your thoughts on this. It had been awhile since I read it, so it’s been fun to revisit. I’m finding the comments on how tiny Miri and Val Con are funny, because I’m 5’3, and my dad is 5’6.
Yes, I also wondered what you may have already known beforehand. There’s more here that gets explained later, makes more sense later, than I would have guessed. And I keep seeing more on each reread. But what you say makes sense in that action provides more ideas for later story development. Part of your genius is that these stories written later have no hint of being just backstory explanations, but are fully formed and seemingly inevitable.
I agree with your unhappiness about the line with “whore” in it. It’s out of character, and I found it shocking, even though Miri doesn’t – she was going for that look, after all. At the least, I would have thought he’d say something more elegant to convey his horror.
And I agree with you and others about how much you packed into this book.
Reading along and a bit ahead. Particularly agree with Sharon’s take on the “whore” comment. Although frankly that was close to the look Miri was going for, wasn’t it?
Tried to find the order of publication of books and was directed to Korval.com. Has anyone over 50 looked at it on a phone lately? The blue against black is difficult if not impossible to read. And expanding the type to readable size gives me about 4 words a line. I read everything on my phone. I’ve read all of the Liaden Universe to date. But Korval.com has me defeated. ?
So, any other suggestions where a readable publication order can be found? Amazon clearly hasn’t a clue. Some lists say Conflict of Honors is first, and Sharon knows best so Orderofbooks.com is out.
This is fun! A very Happy New Year to look forward to!
I’m sorry that (1) you do everything on your phone and (2) that korval.com is unreadable. I will be trying to “fix” korval.com, which was in Steve’s bailiwick, but it’s WAY down on the list.
I did publish publication order where people could find it. I thought. I don’t know if your phone shows you the side menu, but it’s right here at the Beginning: https://splinteruniverse.com/?page_id=2021
Thank you! List saved. I really like having the world of literature at my fingertips by reading on my phone, so it’s no problem. Except the occasional dark blue on black print. Very sorry I was so crabby about it. I’m down with a bad cold and sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. And crabby with it. An explanation, not an excuse.
I had not been to the Splinter Universe before yesterday and I am enjoying exploring it.
I had just finished rereading Agent of Change when this whole idea came up. Not up to doing it again so soon, but I’m eagerly following along. I’ll reread any parts where your commentary doesn’t match my memory. After that I’ll be reading along with you.
I am greatly enjoying this; the authorial insights are fascinating. I particularly enjoy learning the author of particular sections- watching as the narrative weaves and interweaves.
I remember being introduced to this series by a friend many years ago, starting with ‘I Dare’ and then this book. Absolutely hooked me with the action in both; and your characterisations of Val Con, Miri, and Edger in these chapters (as well as the action) is absolutely glorious!
Really loving the commentary. It is so intriguing to hear your thoughts on the writing. I am amazed though that you can remember who wrote which parts. Awesome.
This is wonderful. I adore reading about both writers’ processing style. I have an admission then a question and a slightly theatrical background. So, without sounding too schizophrenic, I hear the characters voices when they speak. I can never remember if it’s pronounced Lee-Aden or Lie-aden. Sorry but direction would be much appreciated.
Sharon did an interview recently where you can hear her pronounce it. Here is a link. I hope that helps!
https://www.baen.com/podcast/index/view/id/942
The action is constant and fast. I have always loved the Turtles. I am really surprised that this was the first and that the universe was not fully thought out. But, in my own writing, I just worked out why no riding animals and I’m in book four.
Still a lot of fun after all these years