Jerri
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I have been re-reading Penric's Demon and just noticed this sentence: "Sorcerer had certainly not been on Pen's former list of scholarly ambitions, but then, neither had theologian, divine, physician, teacher, lawyer or any other high trade . . ." Then I noticed that with the possible exception of lawyer, Pen has now studied/become all of the above. Did you realize this when you first invented Penric and Des?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Not consciously. But I was pleased by the serendipity, when I noticed it.
Divine and therefore theologian does follow in lockstep to becoming a trained Temple sorcerer. Physician was a less-standard bonus. Pen will likely duck lawyering.
The original term "doctor", which dates back to the medieval university system, actually means "teacher", not "physician". (No one will have noticed that I never use the term doctor for 5GU medicos.) A doctorate was actually a license to teach in any Church-accredited institution throughout Europe. An oath-sworn Temple divine has something of the same status, someone to be trusted with teaching.
Ta, L.
Not consciously. But I was pleased by the serendipity, when I noticed it.
Divine and therefore theologian does follow in lockstep to becoming a trained Temple sorcerer. Physician was a less-standard bonus. Pen will likely duck lawyering.
The original term "doctor", which dates back to the medieval university system, actually means "teacher", not "physician". (No one will have noticed that I never use the term doctor for 5GU medicos.) A doctorate was actually a license to teach in any Church-accredited institution throughout Europe. An oath-sworn Temple divine has something of the same status, someone to be trusted with teaching.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Jan
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Greetings. I don't have a question? I just wanted to thank you VERY much for what I like to think of as the 'Cordelia Trilogy', 'Shards', 'Barrayar' and 'Gentleman Jole'. I love all of the books in the Vorkosigan saga but these are the ones I keep going back to for Cordelia and her outlook and 'do the next thing' common sense. I came to your books late but they're regularly re-read. Thanks again!
Mary Silcox
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I’ve always wondered if the choice to name Jackson’s Whole, site of so much depravity, a name so similar to Jackson Hole stemmed from some kind of personal experience in the town in Wyoming. Can you share the reason behind that choice? Thanks for considering the question!
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