The Emperor's Soul - A Love Letter
Dear Brandon Sanderson,
Thank you for writing this novella (like a million years ago, I know, I’m late), The Emperor’s Soul.
It’s done a few very important things for me, which you may or may not have intended.
Addressed : “What is Art, and Who is the Artist, and the Myth of Authenticity
The concept of the book is that the main character, through extensive research and mastery, can recreate any masterpiece or create from scratch beautiful, useful, valuable variations on the world around her by carving a seal and pressing that seal into the substrate. She is considered a blasphemer, a dirty forger, but over the course of the narrative the reader can be confident that she understands and appreciates the minutiae of the world around her in a way nobody else can. Including the original artist and creators themselves.
I think about this all the time, especially as I create. Clinging to authenticity, the hope that I could create something truly unique, has stopped me from carving anything at all into the world. Searching for authenticity take a daunting amount of time. The narrative in this book gives me the courage to take that second path, to research the authentic in the world around me and let it inspire me to create. Nothing I do can be free of the influence and building blocks of the world around me, and there will always be those whom see the signs of that influence and call me a forgery. The only path to freedom from those critics is to know, love and be intentional about my source material.
If you, reader, have any feels along this theme, I strongly suggest you check out Bo Burnhams’ Netflix specials. His latest one Make Happy is, in my mind, an anthem to the myth of authenticity and the internal battle of creating for an audience.
Addressed : “Fake it Till You Make It - a Female Protagonist Embracing Impostor Syndrome”
The main character does not call herself an artist. She does not seek to create art. Her forgery is her art, and she stands by it proudly. I, like many whom google “impostor syndrome” daily, feel like what I do every day is fake value and brilliance with a herculean amount of research, effort and bluffing. The main character’s unapologetic approach to life, complete with deeply felt considerations of all the others lives she could have led, is hugely satisfying to read. When have I not looked around my busy city at every other bustling human and asked - “What if I was living their life? Are they happier? Are they better?” I could carve what I image the variable of their day-to-day into soapstone vividly, hoping to briefly transform my own life into something more beautiful.
This practice is a guilty pleasure, or really more a burden. I’m embarrassed that I do it. I shouldn’t, right? I should be proud of every step I’ve ever taken and will take within the rutted riverbed of circumstance where I live. Yet Sanderson’s MC carries her other potential lives with her as her greatest treasure, and her willingness to do so make me feel free.
Created : Female Protagonist Who’s Arc Doesn’t Result In Value Erosion
This might be spoilery? So stop if you want? The MC of The Emperor’s Soul doesn’t give a fuck about other people’s judgement. She knows how they feel, why, and what truths they hold dear which prevent them from understanding. It’s her business, her life’s work to understand. Understanding why they hate or disrespect her work does not lead her into self-doubt. Even with the reader doubts her choices, feels the elegant pull of the counterpoints in the book, the MC is solid. And I respect her more for that. She’s not some Mary Sue, she’s a prophet of her own vision. I lust after that clarity and commitment.
https://brandonsanderson.com/books/elantris/the-emperors-soul/