Grand Ellipse - Paula Volsky - Hardcover

"And thus the Bhomiri Islanders, submitting perforce to western rule, have ostensibly accepted western moral standards. They've abandoned their traditional cannibalistic practices, outlawed polygamy, and banned human sacrifice, or so they'd have us believe. Investigation, however, has revealed the falsity of this apparent transformation. Beneath the thinnest veneer of what we Vonahrish call civilization, the old culture persists. It is a culture that we can hardly afford to dismiss or despise, despite its disturbing aspects, for it is just such sources that teach us of humanity's past, of our origins, and ultimately, of ourselves." Luzelle Devaire concluded her lecture. There was silence, and she tensed. She should never have described those Bhomiri cannibalistic feasts in such detail. She'd shocked her listeners, and it had been a mistake. Then the audience erupted into applause, and Luzelle relaxed. Her instincts had been sound; she was good at her work. Sometimes she wondered, but the present response allayed all doubts. Almost all. Her eyes swept the ranks of enthusiasts to light upon a couple of faces in the back neither pleased nor approving. Her father was sitting there, irate, disgruntled, affronted; her mother beside him, dutifully reflecting similar sentiments. Why had they come today, of all days? You invited them. You encouraged them to come. But not today. Questions popped at her from the audience. She answered almost automatically, while her real attention remained fixed on her parents. They were both visibly impatient. Maybe they'd get tired of waiting and go away. No such luck. The questions sputtered to a gradual halt. The spectators trickled from the lecture hall. Even the young would-be gallant in the front row, he of the glinting teeth and hopefully gleaming pince-nez, finally gave up and withdrew. But Master Udonse Devaire and his wife Gilinne remained. There was no need to ask them what they had thought of her speech. Their identically pursed mouths spoke wordless volumes. The last of the audience departed and Luzelle found herself alone in the auditorium with her parents. They were still sitting motionless in the otherwise empty back row. No way to pretend she didn't see. Drawing a deep breath, she descended from the stage and made her reluctant way up the carpeted aisle toward them. "Father. Mother. How good of you to come. I'm so glad," Luzelle lied. She produced a suitably gracious smile. Neither the words nor the facial contortion produced the desired effect. "We came," Udonse Devaire informed his daughter, "because we wished to be just. I desired impartiality, and therefore chose to give you the benefit of the doubt." "The Judge took pains, as always, to weigh all circumstances," declared Gilinne. The Judge, she always called him. Grim, but understandable enough, for Udonse Devaire, justice of the Sherreenian Higher Court, seemed formed by nature to project grandeur. With his tall brow, aquiline nose, cold eyes, square-cut greying beard, and deliberately majestic mien, Udonse inspired awe in malefactors and family members alike especially women. No wonder his wife, his sisters, his mother, and his various mistresses all deferred religiously to His Honor. Luzelle herself had done so, in past years. "I have listened, I have pondered, and I have reached a verdict," announced the Judge. Guilty.She'd thought he might reconsider, once he heard what she actually had to say, but she should have known better. Of course she couldn't have guessed that he would choose to listen today. Polygamous Bhomiri cannibals. Hardly a topic recommendingVolsky, Paula is the author of 'Grand Ellipse - Paula Volsky - Hardcover' with ISBN 9780553108040 and ISBN 0553108042.