Old Tea Leaf Reviews 18: 1998 Locus Poll Best First Novel - rec.arts.sf.written

Message from discussion Old Tea Leaf Reviews 18: 1998 Locus Poll Best First Novel

Andrew Wheeler

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More options Jul 5, 4:59 am

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From: acwhe...@optonline.net (Andrew Wheeler)

Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 19:59:12 -0400

Local: Sat, Jul 5 2008 4:59 am

Subject: Re: Old Tea Leaf Reviews 18: 1998 Locus Poll Best First Novel

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James Nicoll <jdnic...@panix.com> wrote:
> In article <A7vbk.13061$xZ.7...@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com>,
> Rebecca Rice <philosphe...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> >James Nicoll wrote:

> >> 11 The Troika Stepan Chapman

> >> I missed this.

> >> I think this was his lone novel.

> >> 13 Lives of the Monster Dogs Kirsten Bakis

> >> I missed this.

> >> This appears to be their only book.

> >I have to ask... what's with the use of "their" instead of
> >his/her? I can see doing it where you aren't sure of gender
> >(say someone named Pat), but Kirsten is almost positively a
> >female name.

> It's correct usage and I like to toss it in from time
> to time just to show that I know the difference between "there",
> "their" and "they're" (Also "its" and "it's", FWIW).

It's only correct usage if the distinction between singular and plural
has been obliterated, and I, for one, am still up on the barricades,
shooting and waving banners.

It sets my teeth on edge when a sentence veers into plural for one word
and then back out.

--
Andrew Wheeler

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