throopw@dg-rtp.dg.com (Wayne Throop) (05/29/91)
%A R.A. MacAvoy
%T Lens of the World
%I Avon Books
%C New York
%D 1990
ISBN 0-380-71016-1
Price US$3.95
Format paperback
Some authors (Chalker or perhaps Tepper spring to my mind) seem to me to
fall into something of a rut. R.A. MacAvoy has avoided this. Oh,
sure, the second Mayland Long novel felt somewhat flat, but this and
like events are aberrations. Even her settings are varied, ranging
through history, SF, traditional fantasy.
In LENS OF THE WORLD, we have a world much like Earth, but in no
placeable historical context that I could see. In this setting is
placed a more-or-less-standard teacher-and-student story somewhat
reminding me of Cherryh's THE PALADIN. Also like THE PALADIN, there are
no overt science-fiction or even fantasy elements. But MacAvoy adds
enough to the format that it can grab the most jaded, I would think.
For me, some of the philosophy behind the training was very welcome.
The callow protagonist youth is trained to become the Compleat Practical
Soldier/Skeptic. Further, some deep subjects such as who should and
should not be so trained (among others) are touched upon in the book.
Enough to give plenty of food for thought.
Not that everything in the book is tied up in little
scientific/hardheaded/rational bows by the ongoing narrative. No, (as
is pointed out in the book) reality is too elusive for that. But the
depiction of the protagonist's conceptual viewpoint of his world is
refreshing. It made me think of Feynman, and I can't think of anything
nicer to say about it.
But I see that so far I've made the book sound like heavy philosophical
stuff. Not so at all. In among all this thoughty stuff is a
rip-roaring adventure yarn forming a satisfying and coherent whole. Or
is the philosophy "in among" the adventure tale? The two are so
cleverly braided together it's hard to tell.
As a sample of the student/teacher interaction early in the story,
Powl (the teacher) and Nazhuret (the student) talk about what Nazhuret
will "be when he grows up".
"I don't think I'll be anything, Powl. I have lost the art of being
things. I will instead do things. Make breakfast. Grind lenses.
Wash clothes."
Powl nodded. "Infinite freedom."
"And infinite teaching," I answered, not meaning to flatter.
Powl was biting his hand; I could see that, form behind and above him.
"What is it I have taught you?" he asked me.
I had my answer ready. "You have taught me to be still, so that I could
move properly. You have taught me to listen, so that I can speak
properly. You have taught me to see, so that I might not always *be*
seen."
My teacher crowed. "Glib! Glib, Nazhuret, but entirely accurate." He
slapped his knee, but still he did not turn his head to mine. "I shall
have to remember that one." [...] "Someday the world's respect is going
to try you."
"I'm sorry?" He looked so sorrowful saying these words.
"It will... try to seduce you, even you. Eschew it, Nazhuret. You are
as much a lord as any man can be, sitting there in your homespun,
teaching your teacher philosophy."
Not that it's perfect. One of the "surprises" in the story I saw coming
miles away, for example (was I intended to?). And it isn't an
earthshaking or fabulously original work. But it'll do for now until a
more nearly perfect jewel comes along.
--
Wayne Throop ...!mcnc!dg-rtp!sheol!throopw