Mahabharata: Death of Karna

Bhisma was taken out of the final battle in our last entry. This meant that Karna could take the field, as Karna really didn't like Bhisma, and wouldn't enter the fray until he was out of the picture.

Karna, you will remember, is Kunti's first son. His little brothers are the Pandavas, but they do not know this. Kunti sent Karna on down the river in a basket (yes, like Moses), and Karna was raised by a charioteer. During the battle, Karna's son Vrishasena is killed. Karna calls Arjuna out for a battle.

Karna had been cursed by a Brahman because he killed a defenseless cow. He was supposed to be killed in battle when his attention was diverted. At that time, he would be unable to defend himself. Karna was cursed two other times, the end results being that he would be weaponless and chariotless when his end came. Karna himself completed the tragedy by giving away the armor and earrings that made him invulnerable before the battle.

During the battle between Arjuna and Karna, all of these factors came into play. Karna's chariot became stuck, and Arjuna was waiting for him to unstick the chariot, but Krishna advised Arjuna to kill Karna, because he might never get another good opportunity. This is a real departure from the etiquette of war, and makes things look bad for the Pandavas.

After the war, Kunti tells the Pandavas that Karna is their older brother. Everyone feels really bad.

Next up: Bhima and Draupadi and blood.

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.

Save Amanda Feral

Thanks, In the Blue, for the lovely virtual snowflake. I just wish you hadn't sent so many real ones to follow it up.

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Today is sort of an extreme day. I finally posted my next Mahabharata installment, which is kind of high brow.

Now, I'm not saying my next topic is low brow, but it is a REAL departure.

About two years ago, I bought this really funny, unexpectedly delightful book called Happy Hour of the Damned.

So many things about this book are WRONG, but in the right kind of way. The idea of fashionista Amanda Feral bitching her way through awakening zombie-hood might not seem like a good recipe for a book, but, well, it works, and it works well.

Unfortunately for Amanda and her crew, Happy Hour and its sequel Road Trip of the Living Dead were published in a beautiful and expensive format which didn't help their sales (although they look fine on my book shelf). Things look grim for our author and our zombie heroine.

The magic word is relaunch. Happy Hour is going to be republished in a mass market paperback format. It's going on sale January 23, 2010. For all those enthusiasts on your Christmas list, however, you can go here and order the book following these instructions.

For those of us already following the series, don't forget that Battle of the Network Zombies is due out February 23, 2010.

Happy shopping, and I hope you consider putting the very funny and fresh (not in the alive sense) Amanda Feral on your list.

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.

Publishing Credits Part Two

Rachel Swirsky rephrases the payment issue into the publishing credit issue.

Anne Leckie's take.

Jim Hines

Tobias Buckell

Sarah Monette

Certainly gives a writer a lot to think about. Mebbe we need life coaches to help us plan our careers. Wait! They're called agents, aren't they?

Catherine

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.