Dona Laurel-Just How "Benevolent" Is She?

Dona Laurel-Just How "Benevolent" Is She?

One of the few people to give Reina unconditional kindness is Dona Laurel Aguila, the caudila of Sadul Fuerte. Known as the "Benevolent Lady" by her servants, Dona Laurel cares for Reina as she recovers from her iridio transplant and offers her a home. She certainly isn't a cruel woman, but why has she widely been given this title?

For example, her servants call her The Benevolent Lady, but we see nothing to suggest that she actively helps the people of Sadul Fuerte. Reina has been a servant all her life, yet never notes that Dona Laurel is kinder towards her servants than other employers. In fact, Reina is only given special treatment because she's the daughter of Dona Laurel's deceased friend, Juan Vicente.

It's also strange that Dona Laurel never questions why Reina is a servant in the first place. Reina is meant to take Juan Vicente's place as an Aguila soldier, which would require courses in sword fighting and geomancia. However, Reina splits her time between serving the Aguilas and learning sword fighting. She doesn't balance these tasks effectively; in fact, the kitchen staff refuse to feed her because she can't complete her duties. The reader knows that Ursalina told Reina to spy on the Aguilas while serving them. Laurel, however, doesn't have this information. Why doesn't she exempt Reina from kitchen duties and have her focus on sword training? We never see her bring up this issue to Dona Ursalina.

Not expanding on how Dona Laurel earned this title is a missed world-building opportunity. Seeing her engage with the people of Sadul Fuerte could have informed the reader about the common man's struggles. For example, how do normal people fend off a monster they can't see? Do normal people learn to use geomancia, or is that only allowed for nobles and nuns? How do Penitents like Dona Laurel justify mining iridio, a powerful geomancia metal, when geomancia is contrary to their faith? Do any of the people under her rule bristle at this dissonance? The title makes this sound like a hit piece, but I really feel like Dona Laurel could've been more thatn a maternal figure for Reina. Seeing how she engages with the world could have fleshed it out more thoroughly.

Who woulda thought?

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poor emi. she's stuck in the world's worst custody battle

not dumb, just inarticulate

That title basically describes Kamina. There's an episode in Gurren Lagann where he compares his old village chief to Rossiu's village elder. Kamina recognizes that the two are similar but can't describe what they share in common. In fact, their village leader and Rossiu's priest are both close-minded. They harm their followers by stringently adhering to false beliefs and are too frightened to challenge them. Kamina notices they resemble each other, which demonstrates his perceptiveness. However, he can't pinpoint what links the two leaders because he hasn't been taught how to criticize his beliefs. On a more meta level, Kamina's lack of articulation can explain how harmful traditions are perpetuated by a lack of education.

Matahachi Honiden and Peter Keating

Despite being from two completely different eras and countries, the deuteragonists of the Vagabond manga and The Fountainhead share a lot in common. The Fountainhead has Peter Keating, an aspiring architect who sacrifices others and eventually his own happiness to achieve ephemeral success. In Vagabond, we see Matahachi Honiden bumble through various troubles on his quest to become an esteemed swordsman. Both of these men pursued these paths because of their mothers. Mrs. Keating guided all of Peter's career choices, from attending college to joining a firm and marrying his employer's daughter. Osugi Honiden, Matahachi's adoptive mother wanted him to be a worthy heir of the Honiden name. One of these men falls into disgrace, whereas the other accepts his failings and aspires to be better. Their maternal support is critical to their character arcs.

From the very beginning, Peter and Matahachi are pushed towards divergent endings. Peter mother frequently dismissed Keating's actual desires in favor of fulfilling a shallow version of success. This is epitomized in Keating's rejection of Katie, his true love. One day, a panicked Katie goes to Peter's home and asks to marry him the next day. He agrees, but his mother dissuades him from doing so. Instead, she advises him to marry Dominique Francon, his employer's daughter. Peter ultimately follows his mother's wishes rather than his own. This desperation to live up to his mother's standards drive him to ghastly measures. He frightens his firm's partner into dying of a stroke. Keating also plagiarizes his rival's designs. Despite owing his success to his rival, Peter still resents him Reaching all the hallmarks of traditional success leaves Keating tormented; he knows that he can credit himself for none of it.

By contrast, Osugi supports Matahachi's goal of becoming a skilled swordsman. In her eyes, this ambition makes him a better heir. However, Matahachi doesn't have the discipline to develop his sword skills. His indiscipline leads him to make the same mistakes as Keating. He cheats on his fiancee Otsu and wounds her deeply. Matahachi pretends to be the renowned swordsman Sasaki Kojiro. Admiration also sours into envy for Matahachi. He also resents his friend Musashi for becoming a better swordsman and taking his ex-fiancee.

It's Osugi's support, however, that guides Matahachi on a better path. Before her death, Osugi reveals that she knew about his failings but loved him anyways. She even compares him to Musashi positively. Even though Musashi's single-minded focus is admirable, Osugi believes that Matahachi wandering before finding his path is still beautiful. This validation and love is what gives Matahachi the strength to accept himself and his mistakes. This is the start of his redemption arc. Keating, however, never receives this same love. His mother recognizes that her constant meddling led to Peter's current misery; however, she never openly states that she accepts him for who he is.

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England- Book Review

SPOILER WARNING

Brandon Sanderson's work rewards people who embrace their oddities and worst flaw, and The Frugal Wizard's Handbook is no different. Amnesiac John West finds himself in an alternate dimension that resembles Medieval England, but has no idea how he arrived or who he is. As memories slowly come back to him, he recognizes that he might not want to remember that last part. His relationships with Sefawynn, a storyteller, and Ealstan, a local lord, help him accept his identity.

John West's character arc from wannabe wizard to actual hero was enjoyable to read. Seeing him grow in confidence through his relationship with Sefawynn was touching. Sefawynn herself has a pretty great arc, though I think the romantic tension between her and John wasn't well developed. I understand that they accept each others' flaws, but we don't see a lot of flirting or signs of attraction. Most of the characters in this book aren't given much depth. Thokk, Ealstan, and Jen suffer the most from this. Thokk fills the kooky old lady archetype, but has very little characterization outside of that. Her status as a goddess isn't really questioned by John, but neither were a lot of things near the end of the story

Jen's characterization are especially shallow. Even though John couldn't remember much about Jen, there could've been ways to characterize her (e.g Ryan and John commiserate over what she was like, John has some sort of charm or memorabilia that reminds him of her). Instead, we don't learn about her until we learn she betrays John. Jen cheating on John only serves to server his ties to his home dimension so he can stay in Medieval England. It isn't given the time to fully flesh out John's feelings. This book would've benefitted from at least two more chapters describing the emotional fallout from what happened

3.5/5 stars - enjoyed the overall message of the story; certainly could've used more time to develop character relationships