A few words about disowning unworthy people in favour of books

This post was inspired by a striking passage in Jonathan Stroud's fantasy novel The Amulet of Samarkand, the first in the series that features magic, alternative history and the amusing djinni or demon Bartimaeus.

Here, the young apprentice magician Nathaniel mentally disowns his master, opts out of his position and transfers his allegiance elsewhere:

“...Nathaniel did not regard Arthur Underwood as his true master any longer. His masters were the magicians of old, who spoke to him through their books, allowing him to learn at his own pace and offering ever-multiplying marvels for his mind. They did not patronize or betray him. 

Arthur Underwood had forfeited his right to Nathaniel's obedience and respect the moment he failed to shield him from Simon Lovelace's jibes and physical assaults. This, Nathaniel knew, simply was not done. Every apprentice was taught that their master was effectively their parent. He or she protected them until they were old enough to stand up for themselves. Arthur Underwood had failed to do this.”

This is a very good description of what can happen internally when someone permanently loses respect for and faith in the authority figure – or parent – they are dependent on. They may indeed mentally reject and disown the person who has let them down so badly.

A disillusioned victim of betrayal who has no other options in the real world may try to fill some gaps by reading. If they can't get what they need, want and expect from the people around them, they will turn away from them and get it from the world of books instead.

Something about Nicholas Stuart Gray's Mainly in Moonlight

I have recently read Nicholas Stuart Gray's Mainly in Moonlight (1965) for the first time. 

Mainly in Moonlight consists of ten short tales of sorcery and the supernatural, the third of which gives its name to the book. One story is an addition to Over the Hills to Fabylon, another to Grimbold's Other World and, as mentioned in the 100th anniversary article, yet another story, one that is told by a demon with a sense of humour, may have given some ideas to Jonathan Stroud.

There is not much quotable material in the book, but some of the stories inspire a small amount of commentary.

Mainly in Moonlight the story
The story titled Mainly in Moonlight has something to say about the inappropriate use of magic and people who get themselves out of a tight corner only to fall into a worse one. 

A young man called Colin decides to seek out a sorcerer to request a magic charm that will get him something he has set his heart on. The sorcerer says that before his wish for a magic spell can be granted, Colin must serve him for one year. 

Colin has to perform tasks such as drawing water, lighting fires, baking bread and tending to an invisible horse. He thinks constantly of escape. 

A creature living at the bottom of the well offers him a way out, but the catch is that he must serve it for one year. Life down below turns out to be worse than it was with the sorcerer.

Again and again Colin is rescued from a disheartening situation only to be expected to serve his new master for one year.

Colin, who had thought that it would be a small and simple matter to get a magic charm, learns his lessons. He says this at the end of the story:

“There is only one simple truth about magic. You get a lot that you didn't ask for and absolutely nothing that you wanted!”

This is certainly true in many cases. However, the sorcerer keeps his word and there is a good outcome for Colin.

Today is the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Nicholas Stuart Gray

The Scottish writer, playwright and actor Nicholas Stuart Gray was born on this day, October 23rd, in 1922. ***

The In Memoriam article contains some information about his life and works; there is still a little more to be said about him, and the 100th anniversary of his birth is an appropriate time to do it. 

***Since this article was first published, I have seen evidence that Nicholas Stuart Gray was not only not the Highland Scotsman he was widely said to be, he was also born in 1912 rather than 1922.

More information about this can be found here:

http://www.imaginarymongoose.co.uk/blog/reviews/ns-gray/

These recent and unexpected discoveries are not relevant to the following material. 

Writing for oneself
Nicholas Stuart Gray said something very interesting about his writing:

“...Cassandra had written the author a fan letter, and she still treasures his modest, graceful reply, in which he said, amongst other things: ‘As all my books and plays are only written for myself and not for any imagined audiences, readers, age-groups, publishers, etc, it is always a delightful surprise to get proof that anyone BUT myself ever reads or sees them...’"

https://firebirdfeathers.com/2015/02/10/on-writers-nicholas-stuart-gray-and-the-stone-cage/

It is the same with this blog! I produce the articles mainly for my own benefit, but I am delighted when I see that they are being read by many people.

The articles about Nicholas Stuart Gray's witches are among the most popular posts on here. I don't know how many are read by people who were already familiar with his works; I would love to think that I have introduced his books to a few new people.