"'You are no ordinary animal, then... Nevertheless, an animal. The apes have triumphed. The universe has lost any meaning it ever held.'"
-Poul Anderson, The Shield Of Time (New York, 1991), PART TWO, 209 B. C., p. 118.
An Inquisitor mentioning Guido's Fawkes attempt to assassinate Cromwell:
"'He was frustrated by the machinations of this same Pym' - the Inquisitor almost allowed admiration to enter his voice - 'who tracked him down with a persistence worthy of a nobler cause.'"
-John Sanders, The Hat Of Authority (London, 1966), 11, pp. 139-140.
The current and former heads of a clandestine intelligence "Section," discussing Lisbeth Salander:
"'She spectacularly kicked the shit out of two complete thugs from Svavelsjo M.C.'
"'Zalachenko's daughter,' Gullberg repeated. He turned to Wadensjoo. 'You know what? I think you ought to recruit her for the Section.'
"Wadensjoo looked so startled that Gullberg quickly explained that he was joking."
-Stieg Larsson, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest (London, 2009), CHAPTER 6, p. 135.
"'Her father's daughter,' Gullberg said. There was more than a trace of admiration in his voice."
-Larsson, op. cit., p. 136.
(Part II of Larsson's previous Millennium volume is called "From Russia, With Love" and Larsson also somewhere references Sherlock Holmes.)
Of the five cited heroes, the only one who receives no hint of admiration or respect from his enemies is Bond.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
The thought that occurred to me after reading the quotes from Larsson is to doubt whether an UNTRAINED person, man or woman, could indeed have overcome two professionals in the manner described. I sure as heck don't think I would have!
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
She was armed with mace and a taser, could jump and kick, then appropriate a gun from one of her assailants. They were unprepared, treating her with contempt.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Two points comes to mind: first, Lizbeth Salander already had some training, at least, in both unarmed combat and how to handle weapons. Second, smart undercover should never underestimate their opponents. Much more prudent to err on the side of OVERESTIMATING their abilities, not underestimating them.
Ad astra! Sean
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