A Burning House

[Durek]

I love what I read.

Spoiler: Spoilers in "Burning House"

Interesting that Kurn/Rodek got his memories back. I thought the repercussions would be more devastating where Worf was concerned besides personally. But it seems that it wasn't the case. Though it did destroy his relationship with his brother forever. Also that the secret of the Carraya system prison camp wasn't as big a secret as we thought. I like the fact that Klag and B'Oraq became parmac'kais (sp?).

Keep up the good work KRAD.

 

[KRAD]

You know, if you're going to keep turning out these amazing reads, you could at least make them a bit longer, I swear I sailed through this latest outing of the series in less than two days.

Dude -- this was one of my longest books in my whole career!

Seriously, the only books I've written that were longer of the 30+ I've done are The Art of the Impossible and Articles of the Federation.

And I love Tabona, too.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

mjhetz said:
Do I need to read the IKS Gorkon books to catch up on all the characters before I read A Burning House?

No, but you do have to read Articles of the Federation.

 

[EmperorKalan]

KRAD,

One of the things I love is the way you fold bits of The Final Reflection into the Klingon culture as it was developed in TNG and DS9.

A couple of questions related to that:
Is the term "jeghpu'wi'" pretty much equivalent to Ford's kuve (i.e., Klingon servitor species)? If not, what's the difference, and if so why did you coin the new term rather than "grandfather in" the old one?

Reshtarc: Was that a nod to the old FASA RPG, or to the Klingon groups that use the name for their House?

And can I reprint your remarks at Memory Beta ?
Thanks

 

[KRAD]

One of the things I love is the way you fold bits of The Final Reflection into the Klingon culture as it was developed in TNG and DS9.

Thanks! And that's quite deliberate, believe me....

Is the term "jeghpu'wi'" pretty much equivalent to Ford's kuve (i.e., Klingon servitor species)? If not, what's the difference, and if so why did you coin the new term rather than "grandfather in" the old one?

The difference is that the kuve of TFR were out and out slaves. I was looking for a term that didn't have quite the same connotation, and the Klingon Language Institute, as usual, came through with jeghpu'wI', which literally means "conquered people." They're less than full citizens of the empire, but they're not slaves, either.

Reshtarc: Was that a nod to the old FASA RPG, or to the Klingon groups that use the name for their House?

The latter. One of their people is Randy Price, who uses the name Konn, which is why Reshtarc's son had that name.

And can I reprint your remarks at Memory Beta ?
Thanks

Sure.

 

[EmperorKalan]

KRAD said:

One of the things I love is the way you fold bits of The Final Reflection into the Klingon culture as it was developed in TNG and DS9.

Thanks! And that's quite deliberate, believe me....

Well, I didn't think it happened by accident... Grade A classic material like that shouldn't be left to wither and fade away, so thanks for your part in not letting that happen.

Is the term "jeghpu'wi'" pretty much equivalent to Ford's kuve (i.e., Klingon servitor species)? If not, what's the difference, and if so why did you coin the new term rather than "grandfather in" the old one?

The difference is that the kuve of TFR were out and out slaves. I was looking for a term that didn't have quite the same connotation, and the Klingon Language Institute, as usual, came through with jeghpu'wI', which literally means "conquered people." They're less than full citizens of the empire, but they're not slaves, either.

But that was the whole reason I needed to ask the question: kuve _weren't_ just slaves. That was the whole point of translating kuve as "servitor" rather than slave (which was "straave" in Klingonaase); it was "inaccurate and inflammatory" (in the words of Ford's in-universe counterpart). When Vrenn and Tirian (the kuve transporteer) talk of the Black Fleet, it's said that "any race may reach..."(the Black Fleet), and that Tirian would have a place there (even if he didn't want it).

The most explicit statement on the subject isn't in the novel (unfortunately), but in the RPG material Ford developed for FASA. From the first edition sorcebook (1983):

The greatest insult a Klingon can pay another is to refer to him as a slave. The concept of "slave" is much different than the Klingonaase word kuve -- literally "servitor". To the Klingons, there is no shame in being a servitor to another race. Indeed, it is their philosophy that the great majority of races are predestined to be the servitors of the Klingon race. This is a respectable position, bringing honor to the person who does it well. A "slave", on the other hand, is one who serves when he was intended to conquer. He serves from weakness and cowardice. The Andorians may fall into this category eventually, the Klingons believe, whereas the Vulcans were never intended as conquerors and may serve honorably. The decision is less clear for the human race, and this point is the subject of a continuing debate by what passes for philosophers among the Klingons. In any case, to call a Klingon a "willing slave" is the deadliest of insults.

That's what prompted me to ask: your definitions were very similar, but you didn't give it a tip of the hat the way you usually do with TFR-derived bits. From what you've said, I'm now thinking "derived" is the wrong word, and it's more a case of parallel reasoning about that role in the Empire.

 

[Stevil2001]

So what's Seven Deadly Sins?

 

[EmperorKalan]

Steve Mollmann said:
So what's Seven Deadly Sins?

Traditional or Klingon version?

 

[Smiley]

Steve Mollmann said:
So what's Seven Deadly Sins?

This is my question as well.

As for the book itself, I like it, but it's not quite what I hoped for. It feels like a cross of an interlude between big Klingon novels and a "week in the life" on Qo'Nos. All of the individual stories and new characters are enjoyable, and it's nice to see some loose ends get tied up. Klingon culture is the same as it's been for years, so the changes in the characters' lives are all the book has to offer to the longtime fan, and they are not enough to support the novel on their own. It lacks that compelling element and sense of narrative momentum that would elevate it to must-buy status. Thinking about it from a newer fan's perspective, I would still recommend Diplomatic Implausibility, The Art of the Impossible, or A Good Day to Die as an introduction to the novel Klingons. I still want to see more of the Gorkon gang, but I'd like to see the next book take a different approach. My rating for A Burning House is 7/10.