Dominic Flandry bought time for the Terran Empire but I am not sure that he paid any particular price for doing it. Sandra Miesel says that his main fault was not understanding women. This had bad consequences for him and them, at least.
"...he callously exploited a courtesan's devotion and thus sowed the seed of future personal tragedy." (p. 245)
Was Persis d'Io devoted to Flandry and, if so, did he exploit her devotion? That future personal tragedy involved their son who later acted as an individual in his own right. His defection to Merseia is hardly down to what had happened between his parents.
"If Flandry had treated his first two mistresses with greater consideration, he would not have lost his last chance for happiness." (p. 251)
Maybe, but that loss of happiness was not caused by Flandry's buying time for the Empire.
Although this article is an Afterword specifically to A Stone in Heaven, it also refers to future events as far as "Starfog." Miesel incorrectly states that:
"...Kraken had never been part of the Empire." (p. 250)
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
If Miesel meant Persis Hazeltine/D'Io, I have to disagree. It was Persis herself who broke off the relationship with Flandry, or at least did not try to continue it.
But my previous readings of that article had me thinking Miesel meant Djana, whom we see in A CIRCUS OF HELLS. And she did try for some kind of long term relationship with Flandry, who declined. Also, I do not agree with Miesel that Djana was treated callously by him. Flandry had made her no promises nor did he swindle Djana. At most some lack of sensitivity, as when Flandry suggested she go back to Ydwyr the Seeker as a double agent is the most he can be charged with.
Ad astra! Sean
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