A review by saluki
The Privilege of the Sword by Ellen Kushner

4.0

The Melodrama of Manners continues a generation after Swordspoint closes. Katherine Campion Talbert is delivered to her notorious uncle Alec Campion's Tremontaine estate with youthful romantic notions of coming-out into society at balls and finding the handsome suitor of her dreams. But the Mad Duke has other ideas. Katherine is to learn the sword so she begins to learn sword techniques... reluctantly. Little is she aware of the adventurous and independent course cut out for her.

Alec's character is fleshed out more in this novel. He's perceived as mad but there is method to his madness. He thumbs his nose at society and appears to live in decadent eccentricity but is he truly mad or uncommonly clever? He does try to save those he cares about from oppressive society ideals in a strange round-about way. I love that we find out everything about Alec as he flits between Tremontaine and Riverside, and of course Richard, through the course of this book.

Katherine is dressed as a man but it isn't the usual gender-bending comedy of manners because it's nearly always obvious she is a young woman irregardless of her clothing, especially after her first famous duel. Rather than a young woman's coming-out we experience her coming of age in a time where women are severely restricted and have few options. Katherine is given choice in her role as swordsman especially after she finds her favourite story, "The Swordsman Whose Name Was Not Death", has an upcoming theatrical production. I love metafiction and this framed narrative device reflects the differences between fiction and reality as well as social appearances versus reality. It's interesting how the readers, or the plays audience, react differently to the story and it's effect on their future actions. For Katherine it is a turning point. She is no longer in her own Regency Romance. There is a lot of symbolism of privilege... but of course us readers care more about the privilege of the sword. The Sword is power and I was excited to find out who Katherine would champion with that power.

We not only encounter Alec who I liked much more in his maturity even though he's still a trial to family and society, but we learn more of his lover Richard St Vier, the previously self-exiled Michael Godwin and the Duke's bitter enemy Lord Ferris. Unresolved plots from Swordspoint come to fruition. But this doesn't read as a sequel as such because it's clearly Katherine's experiences, so it can be read without reading Swordspoint first. For me, this novel is better. There is more comedy, more commentary about honour, more likeable characters and a few we love to hate, and a distinct learning curve both mentally and physically for our protagonist Katherine. I found myself caring about secondary characters; the Ugly Girl Flavia, Teresa Grey the Black Rose, Katherine's two close friends Lady Artemisia and Marcus, far more than I did in the first book. But most parental figures left little to be admired.

And, the swordsmanship was excellent.

Have to say the beginning was a little slow but it's one of those novels that deserves rereading for the depth of it's social intrigue, sexual politics and complex themes. I hadn't expected the outcome... but it was great, if a little hurried.

Thoroughly enjoyed this audio experience. The main narrators Ellen Kushner and Barbara Rosenblat, and the cast in the illuminated key scenes, are all wonderful voice actors.

This felt much more like an Austen writing fantasy with swords and Katherine is a believable protagonist with her youthful dreaming and feisty personality.

Liked it, a lot.