On 1/10/06, Steve Simmons <scs at di.org> wrote: > > See Issola, top of page 141 in the hardback. Begin with the line "I took > a step forward--" and read every third line until you reach a line that > ends in a period. Return to the top of 141, begin with the line > *following* "I took a step forward" and read every third line as before. > Read this way, the sequence clearly shows Vlad taking three pathways > simultaneously. It's neatly put together so the casual reader thinks > its another Brustian homage to Zelazny's shadow walks, so it's easy > enough to miss. And note also that this occurs in the book where they > take great pains to tell you what the qualifying feature of gods is. Thanks. I had in fact noticed that the multiple viewpoints made several distinct narratives, but it had never occurred to me that it might represent being in three places at once. And yes, it did remind me of Zelazny's shadow walks, now that you mention it, which may be why I didn't try too hard to process it mentally. Max Wilson -- Be pretty if you are, Be witty if you can, But be cheerful if it kills you.