Re: Averoigne based on Auvergne?
Posted by:
casofile (IP Logged)
Date: 12 December, 2009 11:18AM
"Smith’s delightful yet horrific conception of medieval France was apparently derived from the historical province of Auvergne, located in the Massif Central of south-central France which rises abruptly just west of the Rhône-Saône valley, and inclining north to the Paris basin and west to the basin of Aquitaine. This sparsely populated region is indeed semi-mountainous, well forested, and the source of many French rivers as the poet-author describes it, but here the correlation ends and Smith’s fertile imagination takes over. Aside from acknowledging certain powerful influences such as the Druids and Paganism, the Romans and the Holy Roman Church, Averoigne owes little or nothing to actual French history─yet retains the full flavor of medieval France."
This excerpt from the Note on the Text for THE AVEROIGNE CHRONICLES was written more years ago than I care to mention, but still directly addresses this topic. I also created a map, which was published many years ago in "Fungi" magazine; and, if I recall correctly, this version indicated that "Poictesme" was located just over the border. (strictly tongue-in-cheek, of course)
Coincidentally, I received an email from Robert Wiener (of Grant Publishers)earlier this week which included the cover stamping and endpaper designs from Tom Canty, the lack of which has been holding up the project for the last several years. Does this mean that the THE AVEROIGNE CHRONICLES will at last be published? I wish I could say yes, but experience tells me to continue to have patience. I've also heard a rumor that Stephen King has an idea for yet another "Dark Tower" novel, which could mean another lengthy delay unless we're able to get the CAS book out first. On the other hand, progress is still progress!
-Ron