Rose Lerner's Blog

Archive for the ‘discussion post’ Category

I was skimming my tumblr dashboard and saw someone had posted this, from The Lorax:

I…sometimes cry at this part of the show. But if I’m being honest, the Onceler is still my favorite character.

He’s got a fairly complex characterization and arc, doesn’t he? He’s motivated by a genuine love for the Truffula trees, but he still destroys them and everything else in his quest to be rich. There’s the scene where he rationalizes his behavior (while lounging fabulously in an armchair and smoking a cigar) with “If I didn’t do it, then someone else would!” And of course he repents in the end.

Sometimes I am astonished at the continuity in types of characters I have loved over the course of my life. Smooth-talking, ruthless businessman/hustler who makes it big? Check.

Ever noticed how all Lex Luthor’s plans are classic real estate scams…that somehow require the death of millions?

"When I created the world..."

I don’t understand why Robert Duvall didn’t win an Oscar for this performance. But then, I don’t understand why Newsies didn’t sweep the Oscars that year, generally.

MAL: Wheel always keeps on turning, Badger.
BADGER: That only matters to people on the rim.

In a similar vein, I recently read a historical novel I read as a kid (Rebecca’s War, about the British occupation of Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War). I remembered having a crush on the male lead, but when I reread it I was completely astonished to realize that he’s still exactly my type:

Aristocratic young British officer, snarky, clever, good at worming his way into your good graces, particular about his clothes and a little vain, but he’s someone you can rely on in a crisis, too—and he’s always endlessly impressed by the plucky middle-class heroine. Cf. Chuck Bass, Logan Echolls, Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle, Peter Wimsey, and any number of historical romance heroes.

Is there a type of character you’ve always loved? Rewatched any cartoons recently and been surprised by how little your taste has changed?

Hi everyone! This is the discussion and questions post for A Lily Among Thorns. Tell me what you thought! If there’s anything you want to know (about the book, about writing the book, about characters in the book, about what happens next, anything really), this is the place to ask! And thanks so much to everyone who’s already e-mailed me about the book, you guys bring the light into my life.

WARNING: HERE BE SPOILERS.