Flesh and Wings

[thezirubclub]

One of my favorite dialogue exchanges is between Shep and Patrick near the end: "My other wings were much nicer," Shep says, and Patrick answers, "I'm sure they were beautiful." (If you haven't read the book, you don't know how subtle and sad that exchange is.) But my question here is about logistics and author choices. When alternate worlds are introduced in a novel, it's fun to watch how the author reveals the worlds, a little at a time, and how much the reader takes on faith and accepts. I don't need this question answered to appreciate the novel, I'm just wanting to delve further into this alternate (or extended) world of celestial beings.

The brothers are shocked when they are made into flesh, and even appalled. It's clear their form in the other world was far superior. I'm curious to know what that form would be, and particularly how the wings manifest themselves in both worlds--the wings that appear in the human world are not distasteful to the Powers, which makes me believe they are the one thing that manifests the same in both worlds. But that might not be the case either--it could be that the vulnerability or the general feel of flesh is difficult for them, whereas the wings feel closer to what they were. Okay, this is all surmising, and a sequel might go into more, or it might not at all, and it doesn't really matter, unless you're a fan who wants to linger as long as possible in these worlds.

Any other thoughts on this going around?

[Adrienne]

Wow, this is sort of the one thing I hoped no one would ask. ;D

It's a good, valid question, but I'm not sure I can give a solid answer. For those who read the book, you know that I took these 'celestials' in a direction that doesn't exactly jibe with any sort of biblical mythology--only in the vaguest sense. It's always difficult when you try to write a bout a pre-existing mythology, ie angels, vampires, werewolves etc., because you want to create something that hasn't been done a thousand times, but you also want to give people a taste of what they're familiar with.

Let me throw it out there this way; when 'the Light' is mentioned by the brothers, it's assumed they're talking about God, or the highest deity. But Father Bello also revealed that none of them have every actually 'seen' the Light, nor have they been inside the 'kingdom', and some question its existence. Well, bascially I question its existence too, so without revealing too much about sequels etc., I'd like the reader to toss around alternate explanations for everything regarding the existence of these beings, and/or their superiors. Think Chariots of the Gods. I'm not saying that's a definite, but I wanted to leave it open to different interpretations.

As far as the wings/flesh thing; I see these creatures as multi-dimensional, and when they transport from one realm to the next, they literally change from a form that seems immaterial. But it's not. They have matter in the other realm, it's just a different type of matter, and the realm is made up of an environment that this is suitable too. Think about a fish living in the ocean, perfectly suited to its environment, with its fins and gills and propelling cillia etc. The wings, in my mind, were something suited to this previous realm that they lived in. I think the fact that they had to so brutally lose those in order to 'blend in' to this new realm, is what made them focus on and long for them, as they symbolized what was lost to them.

Of course, there's always the chance that I'm completely full of shit.

[thezirubclub]

Oh, I think these worlds unfold for the author as it goes, as much as for the reader sometimes. I mean there are basic sets of rules authors might design, but they have to leave things open to evolve a bit on their own. I don't think clarity is needed either; I like being able to speculate myself, sort of fix their other world to some of my own desires for it. I'll be curious to see what else you divulge as this goes on. Also, I love what you say about the wings representing what they've lost--that is so sad, and I feel that incredible sadness in the novel, and I think that's also why I sympathize with them. And let's remember, however misguided some of their plan is, they did have good intentions (right?), or are you going to pull out that final strand I'm holding onto?

Okay, that's straying from the flesh and wings point. Thank you for your vision; now I beginning to imagine him (er, them) in that realm, how they looked, communicated, felt. Just more to ponder!

[franktoast]

Sometimes I picture The Void like Fluidic Space, and the wings/general motion like a stingray.

[thezirubclub]

Oh, nice. I like that. Beautiful.

[Adrienne]

The Void will be explored further in the sequel.