The Horse and His Boy
- Thread starter MissReepicheep
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Aravis Kenobi
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I think you are
Most people in real life that I know certainly think I'm weird.
I don't think that they've necessarily made the wrong choice. I enjoy many of the fairy tale re-tellings that we have today. People that rewrote fairy tales to make them family friendly often did the right thing. I would not let my hypothetical children read gruesome stories, but I would gladly let them read the fairy tales that I have enjoyed.
In some cases, rewriting things to make them tamer is just silly! For instance, the things in HHB don't need to be changed to be more family friendly; they already are fine. The children are less bothered by the things than adults are. However, in the case of many fairy tales, they would have seriously disturbed me as a child and I'm glad I never read the original versions until I was old enough to handle it.
Sorry for the double-post.
But I just saw Mr. Bob's post and wanted to comment.Great insight! That point about Shasta thinking Aravis was a boy is correct. When I first read the books, I was too young for such things to occur to me, but now I see that that is definitely a clue to her age.
Yes, with Lasraleen that could be an issue. But I always imagined her as several years older anyway. It seems to me that Aravis looks up to Lasraleen. I've always imagined Lasraleen as an eighteen-year-old, although she is most likely younger than that.
Good point. I realized that soon after posting.
I just read that part yesterday. It describes the moonlight as astonishingly bright, almost as bright as day. Still, she was disguised and they were galloping for their lives. I doubt I would have noticed either, had I been in Shasta's place.
Small correction: Lasalareen wasn't married to the Grand Vizier. By the time the travelers arrived in Tashbaan, Ahosta Tarkaan, Aravis' intended, had been promoted to that post. Lasalareen's husband is never named. But she could easily have been 15-16 years old at the time.
World Wanderer
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The Empire of Calormene was interesting to me because it reminded me of Arabian countries.
I think they should make the kids about 14-15. That would be young to be married, but once it's explained that's how their society is, it wouldn't be too horribly creepy. I mean, it would be if she ended up marrying that old guy, but she doesn't. And I think it would be nice to see the romance developed a little, like the Disney Aladdin movie ... well, the romance there develops too much for this story, but something similar. Kids still, but with an attraction. I think that would be sweet and add depth to the story.
I just saw the movie Braveheart, and in that Princess Isabelle looked very young. She was played by Sophie Marceau, and looked about 16 years old, which was how old she would have been when she married (the movie plays with the timeline; she actually didn't marry until after Edward I dies.) So having a 14-15 year old involved in an arranged marriage with a much older man shouldn't seem that far fetched, even to Western minds (who, if they knew anything about it, would understand that such arrangements can be made at much younger ages.)
Aravis Kenobi
New member
Thank you, I was about to comment on that little oversight.
I thought her husband was some sort of lord...something similar anyway, even though he isn't named.
You never hear his age either, do you? Sure, in our culture, Lasraleen is young to marry. But it's possible that her husband isn't actually all that much older than she.
I didn't mean you're weird either!
Anyway, the theme of the book, a young girl taking her life into her own hands by running away from an arranged marriage would work perfectly! Who wouldn't want that? oh, wait, AK.
Aravis Kenobi
New member
Yes well my opinion will always be in the minority and will always be a point of argument. Which is fine I suppose. People can argue with me all they want; it won't change my opinion nor my mind.
Let's not get mad, guys! *clears throat and changes subject*
What do you think about Corin? Should the moviemakers give us a backstory of why he is there? Or just surprise us? (well, surprise the moviegoers who haven't read the books.)
What do you think about Corin? Should the moviemakers give us a backstory of why he is there? Or just surprise us? (well, surprise the moviegoers who haven't read the books.
)
Aravis Kenobi
New member
I've always thought that including an actual telling of the battle in which Cor is kidnapped is necessary to the story; you know, now that I think about it, a good way to open the film would be the birth of Cor and Corin, along with the telling of the prophecy by the centaur. Not only would it introduce us to THE main character, it would also introduce us to a character that later on becomes pivotal.
But usually my ideas aren't what becomes reality, so they'll probably do something entirely different. However I think opening with a battle would be an easy way to suck people into it; because frankly, the story is kind of slow. From a non-fan POV, of course.
But usually my ideas aren't what becomes reality, so they'll probably do something entirely different. However I think opening with a battle would be an easy way to suck people into it; because frankly, the story is kind of slow. From a non-fan POV, of course.
That's an excellent idea!
I hope they do that. It would work very well, and wouldn't really spoil anything for later in the story.
Aravis Kenobi
New member
That and it would prevent any flashbacks, or much need for a narration of what happened. Someone could just sum it up to Cor/Shasta later on instead of telling the entire story.