From: "Alice Turner" <akt@attglobal.net>
Subject: (urth) Pullman
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2001 11:09:29 

vizcacha inquired:

> Which play is the Shakespeare reference in? And where in Milton?
That's
> interesting. I've always had a soft spot for Finnish mythology (which
I know
> isn't quite the same as Lapland mythology, but hey...). When I was a
kid I
> discovered Emil Petaja's series which was a thinly disguised
_Kalevala_, and
> loved it. I have to admit I've only Xena'd a few times, and not seen
any
> Lapland witches. One of my Everquest characters (admission of
addiction
> here) is a shaman, and they are very fun to play.

Sure, these are but imaginary wiles
And Lapland sorcerers inhabit here.

Comedy of Errors Act 4--hmm. that's not quite right; the girls are
called witches several times in the same scene, and I think there's a
reference, though it may be indirect, in Midsummer Night's Dream.

Farr less abhorrd then these
Vex'd SCYLLA bathing in the Sea that parts
CALABRIA from the hoarce TRINACRIAN shore:
Nor uglier follow the Night-Hag, when call'd
In secret, riding through the Air she comes
Lur'd with the smell of infant blood, to dance
With LAPLAND Witches, while the labouring Moon
Eclipses at thir charms.

Paradise Lost, Book 2

What is Emil Petaja's series? The shamaness witch in Xena was a very bad
hat, a worthy opponent, and the eps (3, I think) were quite thrilling,
with a lot of wire work a la Crouching Tiger. I don't suppose Finnish
and Lap mythology differs much, but "Finnish witches" doesn't have the
uncanny sound of "Lapland witches."

I'm 135 pages into Book 3 and already I feel that the writer is
flagging. Those critters that Dr. Malone finds with the wheels and
trunks seem plain silly to me, ditto the giant birds with the malevolent
poops.

-alga


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