Evil Uncles (was Re: Blish's "Conscience" vs. Wolfe's "Fifth Head")

Tim McDaniel · 01 Jan 2006, 18:44 · from rec.arts.sf.written.2006.mbox

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From: tmcd at panix.com (Tim McDaniel)
Subject: Evil Uncles (was Re: Blish's "Conscience" vs. Wolfe's "Fifth Head")
Date: 1 Jan 2006 12:44:53 -0600
Message-ID: <dp97v5$eke$1 at tmcd.austin.tx.us>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
References: <1135781723.546189.19520 at g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <ibc6r11ip31sma9ls3qastdkte0u88u3hb at 4ax.com> <1135817297 at sheol.org> <sbu6r1hp47tq1bfl9tavfr04asll5r9h9m at news.rcn.com>

>[in re _Split Heirs_]
>
>The real rule that applies _there_ (and which we were going to base
>the sequel on) is that all uncles of young rulers are evil.

Counterexample in the Deryni books: Nigel Haldane, duke of Carthmoor,
uncle to King Kelson, and utterly devoted to him.

Quasi-counterexample: Uncle Brinker in _A College of Magics_.
Plotting and scheming, yes, but as I recallhe really did want good for
the duchy and his niece.  Not quite evil enough.  Semi-evil.
Quasi-evil.  The margarine of evil.  The Diet Coke of evil, just one
calorie, not "evil" enough.

-- 
"Me, I love the USA; I never miss an episode." -- Paul "Fruitbat" Sleigh

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