For those who are coming in late, I here repeat the disclaimer from the Local Custom summing up: I adore Local Custom and its companion book, Scout’s Progress.
Once again, I adore the relationship between the brothers, Daav and Er Thom. I especially love Er Thom for, “It is not meet, if you do not care for her; if any is the same as one –” And Daav for his oh-so-very-gentle rejoinder, “No, darling. … I submit that you have been taught by a Terran wife.”
The clan is changing around them; for the clan reflects its members, and adding Anne to the mix has opened up . . . so many odd horizons.
I particularly love Daav’s twisty brain, his humor, his vulnerability, and his generosity to his friends and to those who simply need someone to stand behind them while they take a deep breath, or a moment to think something through.
Most of all, though, I love Aelliana Caylon — her courage, her unshakeable faith in her own intellect, her ability to form a plan to save her own life, and despite the daunting necessities required of that plan, to say, “I can do this. I must do this.”
I will pause here to note that, Aelliana, of all the Liaden Universe® heroines to have been dismissed as “Mary Sue” (I think Theo has the honor of being the most reviled in this manner. We can discuss this later.), is legitimately an insertion of the author into the story.
Writers are told to Write What You Know. And I? Knew what it was like to be the least regarded, most scapegoated, and physically abused member of a family, and when I drew on that well of knowledge heavily during the writing of Scout’s Progress.
Would I have made the decision to make Aelliana’s case quite so desperate had I known that I was assigning myself to relive a portion of my life that I had managed — much less spectacularly — to escape?
Honestly, I’m not sure. A question for the philosophers, I suppose, or the scholars who will inevitably study our work. My fingers made the decision between one paragraph and the next, and once you cast the die, you can never undo the throw.
The other thing I love about Scout’s Progress?
Daav’s affianced wife, Samiv tel’Izak Clan Bindan. I remember vehemently rejecting the idea that she should herself be grasping and venal. Her expectations are guided by her delm, which is perhaps a mistake, but what choice has she? She . . . tries to grasp Daav’s offer of friendship, but it’s so strange, so Scoutlike, and she is not a Scout, only a dutiful daughter of her clan, raised in a society where you give nothing away, lest it be used against you.
But when she is called on to aid another pilot in peril? Ah, then she knows her melant’i and her duties to a comrade.
I love that she’s the one who draws a weapon on the abuser, and calls him to his delm’s notice. I love that she knows her delm is still going to come down hard on her, despite Daav has done all he can to take credit for the entirety of the “scandal” they created.
And there’s the whole Binjali crew, and the pirates, and the shadow of what it means, on Liad, to be clanless.
And the Tree, of course. How could I forget the Tree, taking an active part, as is does, in the proposed nuptials? And Daav’s very respectful relationship with the elder his clan exists to serve?
“I hope you’re proud of yourself,” he continued aloud. “Terrifying a guest of the House—and one’s wife-elect. I should think an ancient hulking brute like yourself might find more seemly amusements. Forgive me if I speak too plainly.”
Yes. A most excellent story, as the one before it, though they are as different as their principles. As before, I found nothing to change, and much to love.
I remember Scout’s Progress as my first Liaden book – given how it was published I guess I must have read Local Custom first, but while that’s a fine book, Scout’s Progress is the one that made an impression and set me on the slippery slope to becoming a series devotee. I’m very grateful to the uni friend who pushed it upon me and who chose a good entry point, knowing I was a romance reader. It may still be my favourite – certainly it’s up there – and I’m very fond of Daav and Aelliana.
I agree Sharon – much to love – they are all such excellent stories. I was sorry to read taht there is no sequal to The Tommorow Log. I appreciate a step to the side in a universe growing ever more complex!
Also, Daav and Aelliana, sigh
Scout’s Progress is my favorite. Though Agent of Change is also wonderful and was my first Liaden book. I do love the scene in which we first meet Edger and his kin.
Scouts Progress has always been and has remained my absolute favorite Liaden book, although Ribbon Dance comes in at a close second. I love all of the things you’ve written about, and I’m also going to say that the dialogue at Binjali’s still warms my heart, even after all these years of reading. I just finished rereading this book (I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve read it…perhaps 20?) and it is still a joy to reread. Those people who told you that Local Custom and Scout’s Progress weren’t good books? They were unaccountably wrong and must’ve shamefully bad at their jobs.
Not that they were “bad books,” only unmarketable. Which means the agency would have had to think outside the box in order to sell them, and nobody was willing to do that. I could have done without the comment on my lack of ability as a writer, but, hey, he was probably a thought testy because I’d wasted his time. Which is money. Lest we forget.
I re-read Scout’s Progress last November and loved it. The characters, major and minor, (barring villains) are a joy. The friendships, both romantic and what might now be called found-family, are a delight.
As I said in an earlier comment on Agent of Change, I read “Local Custom” and “Scout’s Progress” first. These two really give a picture of the clan structure. How much power the delm had. How the rules of society trapped people like El Thom and Daav. The process of reading in order has really displayed the amazing world building that grew as the stories developed.
I love all the things you list about Scout’s Progress. I’m sad that you lived through such trauma and then relived it to write this book, but am grateful that you did write it. I also appreciate you giving Samiv a true pilot’s melanti and the spine to protect Aeilliana.
On a different note, I have read your Maine mysteries and enjoyed them.
Scout’s Progress was the second or third book of yours i read. And it became and has remained my favorite.
I also love all the things listed (and own and love Barnburner and sequel) and am shaking my head at those agents and possibly muttering rude remarks… so very glad you persisted despite them.
Another thing I loved; when Samiv and Aelliana insist on being friends despite Samiv’s delm, at Kareen’s party– and Samiv stands as Aelliana’s — second? I’ve forgotten the term used– when she and Daav declare life mates. That was lovely.
Aelliana is one of my favorite characters ( as opposed to all the other characters who are Also favorites, ha). I am saddened that she was born of such pain, but wow, did you turn it into something amazing. Curling up alone in her safe, private ship … I feel that viscerally.
Daav is another favorite– and recalling one of your short stories about Val Con, I see that he inherited that tendency to quietly support people in need.
The pirates were rather heartbreaking and I hope they found their way to happiness. At least the delm is paying attention more now? But, clan necessity, sigh.
I love Binjalis, and Jon, and Trilla.
Daav is my first amoung equals, lol. To the point that I assembled a ‘Life of Daav’ that tracks him thru all Liaden books and stories to date, it’s on the wiki. I’m especially proud that Sharon made reference to it in an interview.