Join hosts Irvin and Sophia and special guests Dr. Beatrice Groves and Nick Jeffery as they discuss the parallels between the villains in Half-Blood Prince and Ink Black Heart (Cormoran Strike series).
In this episode:
- Draco parallels ALL the characters!
- Why Death Eaters never wear t-shirts
- Peaches are dumb. So, so dumb.
- Will Charlotte be redeemed? You heard it here first!
- Do we like Madeline or no?
- Is Harry actually a villain?
- RIP the Farting Sofa
Resources:
- The Antagonists of Book 6 by Irvin
- Ink Black Prince by Beatrice Groves
- Ink Black Vampires by Beatrice Groves
- Episode 7: Debate Gloves by The Strike & Ellacott Files
More from our guests: Dr. Beatrice Groves and Nick Jeffrey
I don’t have much to add, as I never got into the Cormoran Strike series. Still enjoyed listening to your discussion!
But on the topic of Madeline being long-winded and annoying: as well as a good example of “show, don’t tell”, it’s a good illustration of Wittgenstein’s Ruler, which states that all assessments/measurements convey information, but what sort depends on how trustworthy the source is.
Seeing the trait directly informs us about Madeline. If it had been presented as Strike saying that Madeline talks too much, we would have to decide whether that tells us something about Madeline or something about Strike.
Oh, that’s a really good term to know! I think that also applies to what Nick was saying about Charlotte’s portrayal as the “psycho ex.” When Strike tells us, “Charlotte is crazy and a liar,” that leaves room for interpretation; but when we see her acting that way, then we know that Strike isn’t just being a spiteful ex. I would argue Jo does both in this series, but more of the former, so Charlotte’s antics that we see firsthand serve more as corroboration of Strike’s statements rather than new information for the reader.
It’s a great concept, I can just never remember the name of it. 🙄 😀
Charlotte does sound like another good illustration of it, though obviously I defer to your expertise as someone who has actually read more than the first book.
Ah, for me that’s “apophenia” – which I just had to google again to comment. The tendency to find patterns where there is none. In my line of work (ie. writing over 100 essays analyzing seven books) I often have to wonder “Is this really meticulous planning on Jo’s part or apophenia on my part?” And the word forever eludes me!
As for Strike, I do recommend them highly (obviously), but with the caveat that books 2 and 3 are a slog (in particular #2). Jo really hits her strike with 4 onwards, but it can be hard to convince readers to grant a writer that much grace.
You guys have convinced me to give the Strike series another chance. Great discussion, super cool to listen even though I had no idea who Gus was lol. Would love to hear more from Beatrice!
Wow, that’s high praise indeed! Thanks for listening to us anyway, and I hope you enjoy Strike!
Thank you very much for this comment sniggetgold3075! – I hope it encourages the hosts to invite me back 😉 (I was very pleased to be invited & did so very much enjoy warming my toes at the Three Broomstick’s fire – Irvin and Sophia are great hosts!). You can also find me as a regular guest on the Potterversity Podcast 🙂
I can’t add much as I never read Strike, I still enjoyed the episode. The only thing I know about those books is what I learned here today, and that troubled blood is the worst one
Glad you enjoyed it! And LOL at your Troubled Blood comment, since it’s very highly esteemed among most Strike fans. (In fact, the only consensus in the fandom seems to be “Troubled Blood great, Silkworm not-so-great, Career of Evil good but no one wants to read it.”)