Samuel R. Delany – Babel-17 (1982)

Lugulaul relvast, milleks osutub Babel-17 nimeline keel, mida impordivad meie Alliansi kiusamiseks nö Vallutajad – hakkad mõistma seda salapärast ja vaimustavat keelt (algul pole üldsegi selge, et tegemist keelega) ning muutud reeturiks ja pahategijaks (muidugi enese teadmata). Eriliste võimetega poetess Rydra Wong suundub friikide ekspeditsiooniga seda häirivat vaenuvärki uurima ja juhtub see, mis juhtub, kui juhtub. Päris mitmes kohas vandus mu keeleoskus ja tähelepanu alla ning seepärast jäi paljugi siin tekstis adumatuks. Raamatu kaasakiskuvaim osa on vast see, kuidas Rydra selgitab ühele psaikole “mina” ja “sina” kontseptsiooni ning selle käigus improviseerimine (lk 129-142).

Miks on kaanepildil selline rautatud voorusevööga poolpaljas naine, taas jäi vist lugemisel midagi tähele panemata.

“He grunted once again. “But now you are not quite so alone. I teach you to understand the others, a little. You're not stupid, and you learn fast.” Now he turned fully toward her, rested his fists on her shoulder and spoke gravely. “You like me. Even when I first came on Jebel, there was something about me that you liked. I saw you do things I thought were bad, but you liked me. I told you how to destroy the Invaders defensive net, and you destroyed it, for me. I told you I wanted to go to the tip of the Dragon's Tongue, and you saw that I get there. You will do anything I ask. It's important that I know that.”
“Thank you, Butcher,” she said wonderingly.
“If you ever rob another bank, you will give me all the money.”
Rydra laughed. “Why, thank you. Nobody ever wanted to do that for me. But I hope you don't have to rob – “
“You will kill anyone that tries to hurt me, kill them a lot worse than you ever killed anyone before.”
“But you don't have to – “
“You will kill all of Jebel if it tries to take you and me apart and keep us alone.”
“Oh, Butcher – “ She turned from him and put her fist against her mout. “One hell of a teacher I am! You don't understand a thing – I – I am talking about.” (lk 138)

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