A hallmark of Alexander's fiction is excellence of characterization, and The Arkadians is a good example of Alexander's skill and sensitivity in creating a varied cast. Lucian seems like a real person, a young man who struggles to be honest in a society where honesty can be cause for persecution and even murder. When he flees the palace of King Bromios, he encounters other characters and his personality is developed and fleshed-out through interactions with them. Alexander maintains that plausibility is essential to successful fantasy, and in Lucian's development, plausibility is a keynote. When Fronto tells him to embellish his story of escaping the palace, he reasonably responds that doing so would be silly. But like many people, he cannot resist the opportunity to make his life sound more interesting, especially as a young man speaking.....
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