Jerracotta

I was talking with my lovely partner about Slagar the Cruel. He hasn't read the books, but he's absorbed enough from my ramblings and things to form his own thoughts (:)). Slagar always seems to be a fan favorite of those who only know just some about Redwall, which I think is great. Slagar is great (awful).

The conversation started with me saying "Do you remember Chickenhound/Slagar?"

He says "Of course. He's the one with the cool checkered mask right?"

"Yes he's the one with the mask. So, same dude [Chickenhound and Slagar (spoilers, haha)], right? I HATE Chickenhound, but I think Slagar is so great I love him."

So that's point one, I think it's kind of funny about me. Slagar is so fun and evil and camp, but I will just never ever forgive Chickenhound for being stupid and the worst.

Then, boyfriend had some really interesting thoughts that I'd like to share! Thoughts from a new audience, if you will.

"The checkered mask and cape is so cool because it completely conceals the very defining features of a fox, like the shape of the head and the bright orange color, but it does it by replacing it with such a striking pattern that it also erases the shape of him. But it’s so unique and so bold, even more so than a fox. He stands out so much yet is so mysterious and anonymous. Very fey." I said, "AND it conceals his broken face. So it replaces something he hates with something recognizably scary but also costumey. I don't know how to explain, but it’s powerful and monstrous because it’s so fun but at the same time he’s so cruel." Boyfriend says: "It does more than that, it makes him a new kind of beautiful. (I’m just projecting and romanticizing though it’s your book you know more.)"