a clash of kings

[verbicide]

Despite the fact that I should only be reading bookclub books right now, I've leaped into A Clash of Kings.

I'm only at the prologue so far, but I had to make a comment.



The Rainbow Guard? That has to be tongue-in-cheek, considering what we know about Renly and Loras, right? (I know you're disappointed, Mr. Boye, that the HBO show was overt about their relationship. But since that cat's out of that bag...) Hee.

Comments

[richboye.livejournal.com]

GRRM himself has professed annoyance/chagrin that people assume that he meant that as a sign "Flaming Homos" - and he refers them to the fact that the rainbow with its seven stripes (Seven is the magic number - it's brilliant - the terminology: sept, septon, septa, evokes this) is highly integrated into the Faith with its use of crystals and prisms and the seven colors of the rainbow are evocative in that culture of power and holiness.

For example, there are seven members of the Rainbow Guard - no one is suggesting that they are all gay. On the fanboards, it has been posited that the audience is more attuned the rainbow=gay than GRRM was. Since you're a left coaster, I think that is probably true. The High Septons//Septas, also adorn themselves with rainbow insignia without any gay subtext.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Awww, well. No offense intended. I didn't mean to indicate that all seven knights were necessarily gay. But yes--here rainbows are a big symbol of gay pride; I knitted a rainbow scarf for Sarah's teddy bear one year for Pride.

I thought it was kind of a great shout out and not so much 'Flaming Homos'.

[rimrunner.livejournal.com]

I never thought that Martin meant it that way—I assumed it meant the Seven gods, or the Seven Kingdoms—but I have to admit it did make me laugh.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I wasn't alone in that! (The finding it amusing part.)