So this week I was still* reading the third book in the “Terra Ignota” series, The Will To Battle, by Ada Palmer:
We’re towards the end of this book and the situation is deteriorating in the seemingly** inevitable slide towards Global Thermonuclear War, or whatever sort of war they have in the 25th century. Probably a short one with no winners. But before that happens, Important People must have meetings! And that means aides and factotums get to wait outside.
“Carlyle Foster-Kraye?” He sat down opposite the lank but lovely figure. “Whatever are you doing out here, hiding under all that black and scowl? You should be in there, they’d let you in.” He cocked his head. “You know, you’re the spitting image of your mother dressed like that. Think of a number for me. Any number.”
Carlyle did not even raise her sparkling eyes.
“Now there’s some top-quality despair. If you won’t give me a number, look at these forty-eight pictures of things eating bananas.” Faust held out a tablet, since the ancient room contained no screens.
Absurdity awoke what charm could not. “Why?”
Faust stiffened. “I am Headmaster of Brill’s Institute and Steward of Gordian, the First Hive, which birthed the best age this planet has ever known. When I tell you to look at forty-eight pictures of things eating bananas, you do not ask why.”
Carlyle swallowed. “Sorry.”
Forty-eight pictures of things eating bananas later:
“Well?” Faust prompted. “What do you think?”
“I … I think sharks look really weird eating bananas.”
Ada Palmer, The Will to Battle
The Internet: Still distracting people 450 years into the future! Also, maybe it’s just because I’m a Gen-Xer, but based on that description, here is how I now picture Carlyle Foster-Kraye:
* Although by the time you read this, I’ll be done with it. I tend to schedule these things in advance, in case of fire or insurrection or, you know, other stuff.
** He said facetiously, given that the summary of the next book explicitly states that there’s a world war going on.
Viscosity 
Please review my book: The Silver Sphere Trilogy. It’s humorous and I think you’ll like it. Available in eBook and paperback. Oh, and it’s light Science-Fiction
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I will check it out!
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That seems like an intriguing book. But 450 years is pretty far into the future.
I have a question about something else. I like the look of your blog. I am wondering what wordpress theme you are using?
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It is pretty far into the future, but not as far as some others I’ve read! 😁 The theme is “Penscratch 2”, a theme from Automattic, with a custom image header and maybe a little bit of custom CSS, I honestly don’t remember. But it’s mostly stock, simple and clean!
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Thank you very much James. I appreciate your help.
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“The Will To Battle” sounds interesting….I can barely imagine there will be an Earth 450 years in the future. The way things are going around the Globe I figure the Planet will be gone within 100 years. Ah I am such an optimist! I need to read this trilogy 😉
Sherri-Ellen aka BellaSita Mum & **purrss** BellaDharma
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