For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.
The soup course is served. This gives a natural break in the conversation. Can you imagine Aksinya. She isn't very happy, but still she is not entirely unhappy...
The waiters appeared to take away the soup and serve the fish. They brought out a fish knife and a small fork. They placed a small trout fillet before each of them. It was covered with a cream sauce. Aksinya turned a little away from Ernst and took a bite.
Ernst ate a forkful of the tender fish himself. He wiped his lips, “Countess, there are many more events that touch this world and Austria right now.”
Aksinya whispered, “None is more important than my sorrow.”
Ernst made a serious face, “That may be true, but the end of the war has placed a great burden on the Austrian and German people. You see the beggars in the street even in this freezing weather. The usual restaurants can barely keep their doors open. We have coffee and tea—they drink hot barely water. And I see little improvement in the future. For example, the treaty of Versailles in itself may cause suffering for all of us.”
“What is this treaty of Versailles?”
“It is the agreement the allies forced on Germany to conclude the war.”
“Is it onerous?”
“It is indeed onerous. It calls for reparations the German people will never be able to afford. Their aristocracy is in collapse. It is not yet certain who will lead them forward.”
“A man who is noble, forthright, and courageous must lead them.”
“I would that there was such a man. I expect they will be led by an egotistical commoner and fool. The people there have rejected their nobility.”
“And I understand your people here have decided to reject your nobility too.”
“Ah, so you have heard?”
“At school.”
“It is true. The parliament intends to dissolve the aristocracy.”
“If you hold no true fealty, then there is no purpose for an aristocracy in Austria.”
Ernst smiled, “There you have found us out, Countess. We have no reason to exist, and the parliament will erase even the slight nobility left us.”
“Nobility is not a question of birth, but rather how a man carries himself.”
“What did you say?”
“It is something my father often reminded me.”
“Yes, well…”
The waiters brought the main meat course. It was wiener schnitzel with puffy potato croquettes in a demi glace sauce. Aksinya was delighted. Although she and Ernst made a few additional remarks about the meal, their conversation after that wasn’t very remarkable. They completed their dinner with a salad, a cheese course, and a desert. The courses were a little larger than those at Sacré Coeur, but much smaller than those before the war. Desert was an apple strudel with whipped cream. The whipped cream was not sweet, but the desert more than made up for it.
When they finished eating, Ernst stood and helped Aksinya and Natalya out of their seats. The maid who held their coats and gloves came to them. She assisted Aksinya first with hers and then Natalya, finally Herr von Taaffe. With a deep curtsy, she reverently handed Aksinya her bouquet. They had been placed in water the whole time and still were fresh. Ernst led them both back out of the Palais Coburg Hotel Residenz and helped them into his landau. The carriage headed off down the cold and damp streets of Wien.
The conversation continues as I continue to show you a meal typical of this class and time. Ernst unwisely turns the conversation from the nobility to current affairs. Aksinya's first answer is very revealing. We understand it completely, Ernst does not. We know the true depths of Aksinya's sorrow. Ernst gives us a little more information about the times. He brings up the treaty of Versailles and notes it may cause worse suffering. This is historical grandizing that I use to show that both Aksinya and Ernst are very knowledgeable. The point, we know, is the treaty of Versailles led directly to WWII. Aksinya hopes for a courageous man of noble character to lead them. Ernst rightly predicts an egotistical commoner and fool (it was Hitler, an Austrian) who ended up leading the German people.
The German's rejected their nobility following WWI. The Austrians are in the process of doing that too. In the late spring of 1919, the Austrian parliament voted out the aristocracy. Aksinya heard this from the girls in school. Aksinya notes there is no purpose for an aristocracy if they don't hold people in their fealty. She follows this with a statement we know is her expression of self. It is so important to her, I'll repeat it: “Nobility is not a question of birth, but rather how a man carries himself.” Aksinya's father often told her this. From the lips of a nobleman, it is likely not very meaningful, but in the context of who Aksinya is, we know this is very important to her.
We see the meat course. This dish is a favorite in Germany and Austria. I give you a list of the remaining courses with some comment on the size of them. The chapter ends with Aksinya, Natalya, and Ernst retrieving their cloaks and Aksinya, her bouquet. The hotel took care of them--they realize their worth. Then back to the laudau and away. Sorry, I didn't end the chapter with a kicker. This chapter became too long, and I just decided to break it here. Tomorrow, we begin chapter 12 at the ballet.
Showing posts with label WWI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WWI. Show all posts
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A New Novel, Part 136 You have so Little Purpose
For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a wondrous sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Wien, Austria.
Ernst has taken Aksinya to the Palais Coburg Hotel for dinner. They are in the Red Room, a very exclusive place in the very exclusive Palais Coburg. Ernst has asked Aksinya to call him by his first name. Aksinya remains in command of the conversation and addresses Ernst...
“In any case, Ernst, am I to understand that you didn’t participate in the war?”
“Ah, but I did, Countess. I marched off with the first wave and served honorably until my father caught me. At his insistence, the Army sent me back and assigned me as an adjutant to a General in Wien. I would still be there except for the end of the war and the reduction of the military. They didn’t need a half Graf who was a lieutenant at full pay. So I am back to my old habits.”
“And what are those?”
“In general, I read. I study Latin. You understand why. I go to breakfast, luncheon, and dinner at my favorite restaurants in Wien. I visit my friends and my father’s friends. It is a pleasant existence.”
Aksinya pressed her lips together again.
“You disapprove?”
“A nobleman should be about a nobleman’s business…”
“And what is that?”
“Managing his estate. Keeping his horses and property. What about your people? Who holds court over them and judges their problems?”
Ernst laughed, “The aristocracy in Austria is much different than you imagine. My estate is not made up of lands and people. Although my father does have some property, and I keep a house here in town, our family’s wealth is in stocks and bonds. We hold industrial agreements and own factories.”
“And your people?”
“No one looks to us.”
“That is sad, you have so little purpose.”
The waiters poured them another glass of wine. This was just a little sweeter than the last. They removed the plates and utensils and exchanged them for a spoon and a small bowl of soup. The size of the spoon was petite and matched to the size of Aksinya’s mouth. She was very pleased with it. The soup pleased her as well. It was a buttery consume of some kind of squash and little bits of bacon. The wine matched it well.
You can count on Aksinya to pounce on the very singular issue that might be a problem in Ernst's life. She choses the subject that no one will speak of here in Austria right now--the war. Austria lost the war. Austria is in ruins because of the war. The war took food from the people and life from the society. No one speaks about the war, and Aksinya knows this. She wants to know about Ernst. This is her way of testing the man. She finds out that he was an officer. She also discovers what he does for a living--nothing. He is absolutely useless. That really angers her, but she is willing to let it slip--for now. She does admonish him. That is when we learn about the shape of the Austrian nobility. It is very different than the nobility Aksinya is used to. She can only judge based on what she knows. Her judgement is very harsh because she disapproves of Ernst's casual approach to his life. All of this conversation per their culture is couched in gentle terms and gentleness.
Still, now we know a lot about Ernst. We know he fought in the war. He is not a coward. He is a wealthy man who doesn't desire to work. He doesn't hold his nobility as very important. Aksinya wants more, but she is happy with her luxuria for right now. In the transition, we get a serving of the soup with more wine. Tommorrow, Ernst grills Aksinya.
Ernst has taken Aksinya to the Palais Coburg Hotel for dinner. They are in the Red Room, a very exclusive place in the very exclusive Palais Coburg. Ernst has asked Aksinya to call him by his first name. Aksinya remains in command of the conversation and addresses Ernst...
“In any case, Ernst, am I to understand that you didn’t participate in the war?”
“Ah, but I did, Countess. I marched off with the first wave and served honorably until my father caught me. At his insistence, the Army sent me back and assigned me as an adjutant to a General in Wien. I would still be there except for the end of the war and the reduction of the military. They didn’t need a half Graf who was a lieutenant at full pay. So I am back to my old habits.”
“And what are those?”
“In general, I read. I study Latin. You understand why. I go to breakfast, luncheon, and dinner at my favorite restaurants in Wien. I visit my friends and my father’s friends. It is a pleasant existence.”
Aksinya pressed her lips together again.
“You disapprove?”
“A nobleman should be about a nobleman’s business…”
“And what is that?”
“Managing his estate. Keeping his horses and property. What about your people? Who holds court over them and judges their problems?”
Ernst laughed, “The aristocracy in Austria is much different than you imagine. My estate is not made up of lands and people. Although my father does have some property, and I keep a house here in town, our family’s wealth is in stocks and bonds. We hold industrial agreements and own factories.”
“And your people?”
“No one looks to us.”
“That is sad, you have so little purpose.”
The waiters poured them another glass of wine. This was just a little sweeter than the last. They removed the plates and utensils and exchanged them for a spoon and a small bowl of soup. The size of the spoon was petite and matched to the size of Aksinya’s mouth. She was very pleased with it. The soup pleased her as well. It was a buttery consume of some kind of squash and little bits of bacon. The wine matched it well.
You can count on Aksinya to pounce on the very singular issue that might be a problem in Ernst's life. She choses the subject that no one will speak of here in Austria right now--the war. Austria lost the war. Austria is in ruins because of the war. The war took food from the people and life from the society. No one speaks about the war, and Aksinya knows this. She wants to know about Ernst. This is her way of testing the man. She finds out that he was an officer. She also discovers what he does for a living--nothing. He is absolutely useless. That really angers her, but she is willing to let it slip--for now. She does admonish him. That is when we learn about the shape of the Austrian nobility. It is very different than the nobility Aksinya is used to. She can only judge based on what she knows. Her judgement is very harsh because she disapproves of Ernst's casual approach to his life. All of this conversation per their culture is couched in gentle terms and gentleness.
Still, now we know a lot about Ernst. We know he fought in the war. He is not a coward. He is a wealthy man who doesn't desire to work. He doesn't hold his nobility as very important. Aksinya wants more, but she is happy with her luxuria for right now. In the transition, we get a serving of the soup with more wine. Tommorrow, Ernst grills Aksinya.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A New Novel, Part 30 Hungary
We move very simply from Russia into Hungary. There is no east and west--yet. The world is war torn from WWI, and I will likely add much more in description to this section and the next. I don't want to make this a travelling novel, and I don't want to draw attention away from the main storyline, plot, and theme.
Zάhony was a city being rebuilt. It was war torn and weary. The people looked at anyone who was different with suspicion. Asmodeus, Aksinya, and Natalya exited at the station. Asmodeus led them back toward the Russian side and behind some buildings. There Aksinya said her words and suddenly she and Natalya were again in their normal forms and their clothing. The counterspell was very simple. After the change, they were completely bedraggled, and they stunk. Aksinya could smell herself. She was very uncomfortable, and she wanted a bath.
Asmodeus led them back to the station. The Russian and Hungarian guards stared at them, but here the revolution was still an event in Moscow and well away from this place. Here the old order of White Russia still reigned. They allowed Aksinya, Natalya, and their courtier an escort to cross the boarder. The Russian and the Hungarian guards bowed to them as ladies and gentlemen and to Aksinya as an aristocrat. Aksinya spoke French. The men nodded politely but did not understand her. Asmodeus spoke to the Hungarians in Hungarian. Asmodeus led them into and through the town to a very fine inn on the other side.
He engaged them an apartment with a sitting room. The very first thing Aksinya did was tear off her clothing. While Natalya drew a bath, Aksinya stripped off everything. She entered the tub before it was half full and let Natalya continue to fill it with hot water from the stove in the bathroom. She let Natalya scrub her. She didn’t dally, but stepped out before the water was cool and started to help Natalya remove her clothing.
Natalya held Aksinya off. She hung her head, “I’ll take care of my clothing myself, countess.” She blushed, “It is unseemly for my mistress to help me.” She gave Aksinya an imploring look.
Aksinya didn’t say anything—she returned to the bedroom. The demon had placed a selection of clothing there. Aksinya put on a warm gown and pulled on a heavy robe. Almost before Aksinya was clothed, Natalya entered from her bath. She carefully kept her back turned away from Aksinya and pulled on her old nightgown and robe.
When a knock came at the door, Natalya answered it.
A woman and two kitchen girls stood there. Natalya nodded at them. Aksinya addressed them in French, “Good evening.”
The lady and the girls curtsied and ducked, but didn’t say a word. They filled the small sitting room table with many dishes and fine food. They laid out very nice china and silver. When the table had been set and filled, they all curtsied again and left.
Aksinya took a deep breath. She sat at the table. Natalya stood at her elbow. Aksinya tugged on her sleeve, “Lady Natalya, please sit with me and eat.”
“It would not be proper, countess.”
“It might not be proper, but it would please me. We ate together all the way across Russia from Minsk to here, and you didn’t complain.”
Natalya blushed.
“There is no need to be embarrassed. You will be my lady and my friend both. It would please me if you would eat with me.”
“Only in private, please mistress. I would never want to embarrass you.”
“And I would never desire to embarrass you.”
“Thank you.” Natalya guiltily slipped into a chair and tried to make herself a little lower than Aksinya.
Aksinya served Natalya a plate of food and placed a fork in her hand, “Please eat and converse with me, Lady Natalya. You are very pleasant company and a very fine lady-in –waiting.”
“Thank you,” but it was slightly muffled as Natalya demurely filled her mouth with a bite of meat.
Did you note how I showed you Natalya's desire to hide her scars from Aksinya. I didn't tell you anything--I just showed you. Did you note that Aksinya called Natalya her friend. This is a revelation I need to make stronger from the beginning. Aksinya has had few friends. Her friends were here books of sorcery. She was estranged from the family she loved. The reason will become obvious later. For Aksinya to have a friend is a new thing for her--even her approach is awkward, but notice, not unplanned or unthought. She is not embarrassed, but rather approaches friendship like a demand.
Zάhony was a city being rebuilt. It was war torn and weary. The people looked at anyone who was different with suspicion. Asmodeus, Aksinya, and Natalya exited at the station. Asmodeus led them back toward the Russian side and behind some buildings. There Aksinya said her words and suddenly she and Natalya were again in their normal forms and their clothing. The counterspell was very simple. After the change, they were completely bedraggled, and they stunk. Aksinya could smell herself. She was very uncomfortable, and she wanted a bath.
Asmodeus led them back to the station. The Russian and Hungarian guards stared at them, but here the revolution was still an event in Moscow and well away from this place. Here the old order of White Russia still reigned. They allowed Aksinya, Natalya, and their courtier an escort to cross the boarder. The Russian and the Hungarian guards bowed to them as ladies and gentlemen and to Aksinya as an aristocrat. Aksinya spoke French. The men nodded politely but did not understand her. Asmodeus spoke to the Hungarians in Hungarian. Asmodeus led them into and through the town to a very fine inn on the other side.
He engaged them an apartment with a sitting room. The very first thing Aksinya did was tear off her clothing. While Natalya drew a bath, Aksinya stripped off everything. She entered the tub before it was half full and let Natalya continue to fill it with hot water from the stove in the bathroom. She let Natalya scrub her. She didn’t dally, but stepped out before the water was cool and started to help Natalya remove her clothing.
Natalya held Aksinya off. She hung her head, “I’ll take care of my clothing myself, countess.” She blushed, “It is unseemly for my mistress to help me.” She gave Aksinya an imploring look.
Aksinya didn’t say anything—she returned to the bedroom. The demon had placed a selection of clothing there. Aksinya put on a warm gown and pulled on a heavy robe. Almost before Aksinya was clothed, Natalya entered from her bath. She carefully kept her back turned away from Aksinya and pulled on her old nightgown and robe.
When a knock came at the door, Natalya answered it.
A woman and two kitchen girls stood there. Natalya nodded at them. Aksinya addressed them in French, “Good evening.”
The lady and the girls curtsied and ducked, but didn’t say a word. They filled the small sitting room table with many dishes and fine food. They laid out very nice china and silver. When the table had been set and filled, they all curtsied again and left.
Aksinya took a deep breath. She sat at the table. Natalya stood at her elbow. Aksinya tugged on her sleeve, “Lady Natalya, please sit with me and eat.”
“It would not be proper, countess.”
“It might not be proper, but it would please me. We ate together all the way across Russia from Minsk to here, and you didn’t complain.”
Natalya blushed.
“There is no need to be embarrassed. You will be my lady and my friend both. It would please me if you would eat with me.”
“Only in private, please mistress. I would never want to embarrass you.”
“And I would never desire to embarrass you.”
“Thank you.” Natalya guiltily slipped into a chair and tried to make herself a little lower than Aksinya.
Aksinya served Natalya a plate of food and placed a fork in her hand, “Please eat and converse with me, Lady Natalya. You are very pleasant company and a very fine lady-in –waiting.”
“Thank you,” but it was slightly muffled as Natalya demurely filled her mouth with a bite of meat.
Did you note how I showed you Natalya's desire to hide her scars from Aksinya. I didn't tell you anything--I just showed you. Did you note that Aksinya called Natalya her friend. This is a revelation I need to make stronger from the beginning. Aksinya has had few friends. Her friends were here books of sorcery. She was estranged from the family she loved. The reason will become obvious later. For Aksinya to have a friend is a new thing for her--even her approach is awkward, but notice, not unplanned or unthought. She is not embarrassed, but rather approaches friendship like a demand.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Writing Historical Fiction, part 8 Into the Present
Well, not quite into the present, but let's move our analysis into the modern period. As a reader of this blog commented, immersion for more modern eras is both easier and more difficult. It is more difficult because of the amount of data available. It is easier because of the amount of data available. In modern eras, the author must become a data miner and sifter where in the more ancient historical periods, the author is just a data miner. The good ore from the past is so rare, an author should be familiar with almost all the writing from a period. The ore is so available from the modern eras, the author must discard everything but the best nuggets. The question is how do you do that? I'll use my book Aegypt http://www.aegyptnovel.com/ as an example. To study the French Foreign Legion and Tunisia in 1926, I found as many French Foreign Legion first person accounts as I could and first person accounts about Tunisia during the period. There are a few--so the nuggets were available in the ore. I listened to music from that period and studied French fashion and Tunisian dress and customs. I found traveler's reports from the times and travel books. I read old papers and tried to glean as much information about the place and subjects from them. I had to delve into WWI because the main character of Aegypt, Paul Bolang, participated in that war. I tried to get broadcasts and decipher the political and culturally important issues of the times. As I tell my classes, history is like an iceberg, you see the small bit above the water, but 90 percent of it is out of sight. In a great historical fiction novel, you only see the tip of the author's research, the rest is buried deep within the novel. If you visit the website for Aegypt http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, you can review the slides for the classes I have taught on the history in the novel. Through these, you can begin to see the depth of information assumed in the final novel. Many of the facts and figures I show in the slides is nowhere in the book, because Aegypt is not a history text, it is historical fiction. To describe all the tailings of research in the novel would just bore the reader--the point is that all the history described in the class slides is apparent in the novel whether it is directly said or not. The characters, events, and places revolve around the historicity of the novel, and this gives it its historical authenticity. So, like in your general writing, don't show everything, likewise, in your historical fiction, there is no need for you regurgitate all you learned onto the page. You only need show your readers what is important to drive the storyline, plot, and theme. Everything else should come out as a result of your self immersion and therefore your voice of the times and culture.
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