At 11:00 AM 1/26/2003 -0800, lazarus wrote: > > >> >At 04:44 PM 1/25/2003 -0800, David Goldfarb wrote: > >> >>not to risk damaging them. So, he read _Agyar_ without > >> being spoiled > >> >>by the blurb. He reports that he got about halfway through > >> the book > >> >>before the penny dropped -- he'd had clues before then, but it took > >> >>the hero taking a shotgun blast before he was sure what was > >> going on. > >> > > >> >Interesting. But...I can't figure out how that dust jacket > >> blurb could > >> >have given anything away that wasn't evident by about page 6. > >> > > >> > >> I didn't get it until halfway through, either, but then, I went into > >> knowing exactly one thing, it was a Steve Brust novel. That's it. > > > >Never underestimate readers' obtuseness. > >I think it could also be due to the subtlety of Steve's writing. This is all very flattering (and it is, really...and I do not mind in the least being flattered) but misses my point. When I said I couldn't see what the hardcover dustjacket might have given away, I meant just that. It seems to me that that jacket copy was a really lovely piece of work, that gave the tone and feel of the book, but didn't give away anything at all. Certainly the "V" word was never used, and I don't think the hints from the jacket are any broader or clearer than the hints in the first chapter or two of the book.