Lea asked:
What fictional place would you most like to go?
Ooof, this took a lot of thought!
Since I like to read series where the characters become part of my inner circle, to be asked where I'd go was a bit like being asked to publicly declare a favorite friend. Neither easy nor comfortable. I ended up having to factor the characters out of the equation and to look strictly at the location - which required some mental gymnastics, but I finally got my answer!
It’s a location that actually exists (so not entirely a fictional place) but it's also not anywhere I can actually go, so I think it counts. Because I’m going back in time to early 20th century Oxford. The only thing I can’t decide is if I want it to be the 1930’s Oxford of Dorothy L. Sayers’ “Gaudy Night”, or the 1920’s Oxford of Laurie R King’s Mary Russell.
I’m leaning toward Russell’s Oxford, because she’s actually there as a student, swotting away and indulging in undergraduate high jinx in her stories. Harriet Vane, on the other hand, despite having graduated from the university, is only actually shown in Oxford as a returning alumna, so the high jinx are observed from the vantage point of maturity.
However, I can observe from the vantage point of (vast) maturity anytime. If I’m going to do this, I want an immersive experience, darn it! I want studying and lectures and libraries (the Bodleian!) and white linen dresses and punting and parties and handsome young men climbing over walls after hours.
Not necessarily in that order. :-D
A very fun question, Lea.
Thank you.
12 comments:
That would be fun, to be able to travel back to that place and time. So much to explore and enjoy!
sounds like a lovely time to travel back to. Time travel would be so fun.
Hugs Lindy xx
mm-
And the clothes we could wear...!
:-)
l-
Wouldn't it, though? - a lot of my favorite stories are about time travel.
OH, that would be pretty awesome. Of course you know I seriously considered living as Harriet for a year in my magical book life that you offered me. I was afraid I'd get a year without Peter. What if I ended up in her first relationship? But yes to the educational experience of Oxford, back in the day. that would be a blast.
o-
I'd wondered why she didn't show up in the list... altho' we can't include every single one we consider, can we? And yeah, who'd want her first relationship? Or worse, get the year during which she's incarcerated?
Yikes.
I do have to say, however, that in my mind, you also got to pick the year of that character's life that you're inhabiting... You are absolutely correct that I did not stipulate that but it was part of the intent, anyhow. So please know that will figure into my consideration as I answer the question later in the month.
:-)
Lol, ok, thanks, that will make a significant difference!!
Hi Jz - having lived in and around Oxford for 10 years I'd happily go back and spend some time there again ... when Tolkien was there and be around the Inklings - to learn and listen in to their world ... so late 40s into the 50s ... cheers Hilary
H-
I had to look "the Inklings" up but oh my, yes, that would be fascinating!
Thanks for broadening my horizons! :-)
Let's make a time machine!!! :D
Amy
A-
An excellent idea!!
(I'm hoping your engineering skills are better than mine...?)
;-D
Thank you for the answer!
L-
Thank you for the question!
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