Book Review: A Throne of Bones by Vox Day: 5/5 Stars

A review of A Throne of Bones by Vox Day. (Also available from Smashwords: A Throne of Bones by Vox Day)

A epic fantasy novel with not-Roman legions fighting goblins, not-French mages, giant eagle riding elves, dwarfs robbing dragons, and lots of other fun.

This book is quite large---I believe it would come to around 600 pages in paper-back---but I still finished it within 24 hours of starting.

It's got a bunch of different plots all running together, the big ones are the politics of Amorran Empire (the not-Romans from above), the various adventures one of their junior nobles/officers gets involved in as their command and control falls apart, and the relationship between the Iles de Loup (not-Vikings) and Savondir (not-French).

While some of these plots are resolved, at least somewhat, the book, despite its length, does come across as just the prologue to a far more extensive story, which I believe is the author's intention.

One of the possibly controversial elements of this series is that the main religion of the humans isn't some weird mixture of pseudo-Christianity and pseudo-paganism. The main human factions are medieval Catholic tweaked to adjust for the magic of the world, and the not-Vikings are straight forward pagans as you'd expect. Some people might find this problematic, but I rather appreciate it, it's nice to see an author willing to portray positive Christian characters and societies, and also to explore how such societies would be different in a world of common magic like your typical fantasy novel.

Obviously this might be an issue for some people who are less accepting of Christianity (and some Christians might think it's insulting), but in general the Christianity is treated similarly to the pseudo-paganism of typical fantasy worlds; it has power, but non-religious characters are portrayed sympathetically, and there's no authorial voice directly stating that Christianity is the right religion.

Overall I give it five out of five stars, or strongly recommend it.

Strengths:

  • Lots of reading.
  • Plenty of likable characters. (even the villains are often sympathetic)
  • It's portrayal of the not-Christianity.

Weaknesses:

  • Comes across as just the prologue to the rest of the planned series.
Categories: Books, Reviews
Date: 2014-08-06 23:03:53, 10 years and 110 days ago

Comments

  1. --> --> -->
     
     
    TypeError    		Python 3.10.14: /usr/local/bin/python3
    Thu Nov 21 06:26:32 2024

    A problem occurred in a Python script. Here is the sequence of function calls leading up to the error, in the order they occurred.

     /home/public/blog.timp.com.au/kukkaisvoima/index.cgi in <module>
       1503         renderFeed(entries, path, categorieslist)
       1504     else:
       1505         renderHtml(entries, path, categorieslist, archivelist, admin, page)
       1506 if __name__ == "__main__":
    => 1507     main()
    main = <function main>
     /home/public/blog.timp.com.au/kukkaisvoima/index.cgi in main()
       1503         renderFeed(entries, path, categorieslist)
       1504     else:
    => 1505         renderHtml(entries, path, categorieslist, archivelist, admin, page)
       1506 if __name__ == "__main__":
       1507     main()
    global renderHtml = <function renderHtml>, entries = [<__main__.Entry object>], path = ['2014-08'], categorieslist = {'Books': {datetime.datetime(2008, 1, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'the_screwtape_letters:2008-01-12:Books,Humour,Literature,Reviews,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 6, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'narbonic_and_asio:2009-06-13:Humour,Jurisprudence,Books,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity,Linkage.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 7, 4, 23, 3, 54): 'meditations_on_violence:2009-07-04:Books,Reviews,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 7, 12, 23, 3, 53): 'books:2009-07-12:Books,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 10, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'the_meaning_of_waking_dreams:2009-10-12:Humour,Books.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 12, 15, 23, 3, 54): 'sacrilege:2009-12-15:Books.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 2, 1, 23, 3, 53): 'bren_free_library:2010-02-01:Books.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 2, 24, 23, 3, 53): 'book_review_more_than_meets_the_eye_wendy_cooper:2014-02-24:Books,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 3, 27, 23, 3, 53): 'book_review_wes_parker_monster_hunter_cj_pike:2014-03-27:Books,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 4, 23, 0, 30, 17): 'book_review_iron_kingdoms_excursions_season_one_...correia_shick_tayler:2014-04-23:Books,Reviews.txt', ...}, 'Computers': {datetime.datetime(2008, 1, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'installing_kazehakase_051_on_slackware_12:2008-01-30:Howto,Linux,Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 28, 23, 3, 53): 'comments:2008-02-28:Meta,Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 19, 23, 3, 54): 'browser_startup:2008-03-19:Howto,Computers,Scripting.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 9, 23, 3, 53): 'css_naked_day_08:2008-04-09:Computers,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 11, 23, 3, 54): 'google_v_religion:2008-04-11:Computers,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 8, 6, 23, 3, 54): 'random_backgrounds_script:2008-08-06:Linux,Computers,Scripting.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 9, 14, 23, 3, 54): 'new_version_of_commentspl:2008-09-14:Computers,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 11, 22, 23, 3, 54): 'internet_censorship:2008-11-22:Politics,Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 2, 2, 23, 3, 53): 'gmail_pop3_error:2009-02-02:Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 2, 14, 23, 3, 54): 'some_tips_on_speeding_up_slackware_122_boot:2009-02-14:Computers,Howto,Linux.txt', ...}, 'Economics': {datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 20, 23, 3, 54): 'privatise_the_elephant:2008-03-20:Economics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 17, 23, 3, 53): '$9_billion_hole:2008-05-17:Politics,Economics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 7, 23, 23, 3, 53): 'darkening_financial_times_ahead:2008-07-23:Politics,Economics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 11, 1, 23, 3, 55): 'obama_essential_for_the_world:2008-11-01:Economi...ilitaryAndNationalSecurity,Politics,Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 1, 18, 23, 3, 54): 'injecting_money_into_the_economy:2009-01-18:Economics,Politics,Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 3, 1, 23, 3, 53): 'all_economists_support_stimulus_packages:2009-03-01:Economics,Politics,Socialism,Linkage.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 9, 30, 23, 3, 56): 'the_christian_lobby_supports_wage_caps:2009-09-3...nomics,Politics,Religion,Socialism,Philosophy.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 10, 13, 23, 3, 53): 'fines_for_begging:2009-10-13:Economics,Jurisprudence,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 12, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'private_property:2009-12-30:Economics,Environment,Politics,Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2011, 6, 2, 1, 28, 56): 'the_cost_of_smoking_to_the_tax-payer:2011-06-02:Economics,Politics.txt'}, 'Education': {datetime.datetime(2007, 9, 19, 23, 3, 53): '55499999999999998:2007-09-19:Education,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'last_exam:2007-11-13:Education,General.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 16, 23, 3, 54): 'im_back:2007-12-16:Education,Linkage,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 5, 23, 3, 54): 'graduation:2008-05-05:Education.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 6, 14, 23, 3, 53): 'compulsory_student_union_membership:2009-06-14:Education,Politics,Socialism.txt'}, 'Environment': {datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 20, 23, 3, 54): 'privatise_the_elephant:2008-03-20:Economics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'heh:2008-03-25:Politics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 28, 23, 3, 54): 'not_conservative:2008-03-28:Politics,Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 16, 23, 3, 53): 'carbon_debits:2008-04-16:Humour,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 25, 23, 3, 53): 'global_cooling:2008-04-25:Oddities,Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 26, 23, 3, 53): 'fuel_prices_will_rise_under_carbon_trading_scheme:2008-06-26:Politics,Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 7, 1, 23, 3, 54): 'ice-free_north_pole:2008-07-01:Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 8, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'roos_on_the_brink_of_extinction:2008-08-12:Humour,Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 12, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'private_property:2009-12-30:Economics,Environment,Politics,Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 1, 1, 23, 3, 53): 'criticized_for_not_killing_a_protected_animal:2010-01-01:Environment,Oddities.txt', ...}, 'Estgair': {datetime.datetime(2012, 10, 17, 23, 3, 53): 'estgair_map:2012-10-17:Estgair,Games.txt'}, 'Gadgets': {datetime.datetime(2009, 6, 29, 23, 3, 54): 'swiss_army_knives:2009-06-29:Reviews,Gadgets.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 1, 11, 23, 3, 54): 'pilot_78g:2010-01-11:Gadgets.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 4, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'shortwave:2010-04-13:Gadgets,Science.txt'}, 'Games': {datetime.datetime(2009, 7, 27, 23, 3, 54): 'progress_quest:2009-07-27:Computers,Games,Humour,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2012, 10, 17, 23, 3, 53): 'estgair_map:2012-10-17:Estgair,Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2012, 10, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'public_domain_minis:2012-10-25:Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 2, 4, 23, 3, 54): 'wil_wheaton_tabletop:2013-02-04:Linkage,Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 3, 17, 23, 3, 53): 'em4_orcs_and_dwarfs:2013-03-17:Games,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 4, 3, 23, 3, 54): 'post_apoc_terrain:2013-04-03:Games,Terrain.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 5, 7, 23, 3, 53): 'first_painted_mini:2013-05-07:Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 8, 26, 23, 3, 53): 'em4_troopers_and_gangers:2013-08-26:Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 4, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'speaking_of_the_street_cleanup:2014-04-30:Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2015, 12, 14, 1, 45, 36): 'linkage:2015-12-14:Games,Linkage,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity,SelfDefence,Politics.txt'}, 'General': {datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'last_exam:2007-11-13:Education,General.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 18, 23, 3, 54): 'tasmania:2007-12-18:General,Politics,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'merry_christmas:2007-12-25:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 12, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'stuff:2008-12-12:General,Linux,Linkage,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 10, 8, 23, 3, 54): 'in_the_usa:2009-10-08:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 12, 14, 23, 3, 54): 'in_australia_&_not_dead:2009-12-14:General,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 1, 1, 23, 3, 55): 'happy_new_year:2010-01-01:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 1, 23, 23, 3, 54): 'vegetable_garden:2014-01-23:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2015, 5, 7, 21, 59, 54): 'vile_faceless_minion:2015-05-07:General,Humour.txt'}, 'HarvardClassics': {datetime.datetime(2013, 12, 4, 23, 3, 54): 'harvard_classics_2:2013-12-04:Literature,HarvardClassics,Philosophy,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 4, 3, 23, 53, 59): 'harvard_classics_3:2014-04-03:Literature,HarvardClassics,Philosophy,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 9, 9, 23, 3, 54): 'harvard_classics_4:2014-09-09:Literature,HarvardClassics,Religion,Poetry.txt', datetime.datetime(2015, 5, 13, 4, 31, 49): 'harvard_classics_5_6:2015-05-13:Literature,HarvardClassics,Philosophy,Poetry.txt', datetime.datetime(2016, 1, 11, 0, 21, 36): 'harvard_classics_7_8:2016-01-11:Literature,HarvardClassics,Philosophy,Religion.txt'}, ...}, archivelist = {'2007-09': {datetime.datetime(2007, 9, 19, 23, 3, 53): '55499999999999998:2007-09-19:Education,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 9, 19, 23, 3, 54): 'pigs_is_pigs:2007-09-19:Humour.txt'}, '2007-10': {datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 10, 23, 3, 54): 'update:2007-10-10:Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 10, 23, 3, 55): 'insect_picture_of_the_day:2007-10-10:Humour,Linkage.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 12, 23, 3, 53): 'dr_necessiter:2007-10-12:Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'planet_of_the_apes:2007-10-13:Politics,Movies.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 17, 23, 3, 53): 'breast_rubs:2007-10-17:Humour,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 17, 23, 3, 54): 'death_penalty:2007-10-17:Politics,Jurisprudence.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 22, 23, 3, 53): 'darn:2007-10-22:Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 22, 23, 3, 54): 'kamikaze:2007-10-22:Politics,Movies,Race.txt'}, '2007-11': {datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 1, 23, 3, 53): 'aussie_captain_commits_suicide:2007-11-01:Politics,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 1, 23, 3, 54): 'another_half-hearted_sentence:2007-11-01:Self-Defense,Jurisprudence.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 6, 23, 3, 54): 'my_sort_of_multiculturalism:2007-11-06:Humour,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 9, 23, 3, 53): 'every_man_should_have_a_rifle:2007-11-09:Poetry,Politics,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 9, 23, 3, 54): 'reading_level:2007-11-09:Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'last_exam:2007-11-13:Education,General.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 17, 23, 3, 54): 'going_away:2007-11-17:Meta.txt'}, '2007-12': {datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 16, 23, 3, 54): 'im_back:2007-12-16:Education,Linkage,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 16, 23, 3, 55): 'traumatised_worms:2007-12-16:Rants,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 18, 23, 3, 54): 'tasmania:2007-12-18:General,Politics,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 18, 23, 3, 55): 'stolen_generation:2007-12-18:Politics,Race.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'merry_christmas:2007-12-25:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 31, 23, 3, 54): 'not_tested_on_animals:2007-12-31:Humour,Linkage.txt'}, '2008-01': {datetime.datetime(2008, 1, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'the_screwtape_letters:2008-01-12:Books,Humour,Literature,Reviews,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 1, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'installing_kazehakase_051_on_slackware_12:2008-01-30:Howto,Linux,Computers.txt'}, '2008-02': {datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 4, 23, 3, 53): 'a_nation_of_cowards:2008-02-04:Linkage,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 11, 23, 3, 54): 'guns:2008-02-11:Linkage,Politics,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 14, 23, 3, 54): 'welfare:2008-02-14:Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 14, 23, 3, 55): 'sorry:2008-02-14:Politics,Race.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 14, 23, 3, 56): 'provocative_ts:2008-02-14:Politics,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 25, 23, 3, 53): 'caregroups:2008-02-25:Rants,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 28, 23, 3, 53): 'comments:2008-02-28:Meta,Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 29, 23, 3, 54): 'prince_harrys_in_afghanistan:2008-02-29:Heroes,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity.txt'}, '2008-03': {datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 5, 23, 3, 53): 'andrew_symonds_knocks_down_streaker:2008-03-05:Humour.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 11, 23, 3, 53): 'deadly_sins:2008-03-11:Rants,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 16, 23, 3, 53): 'brave_sir_bin_laden:2008-03-16:Humour,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 19, 23, 3, 53): 'bravery:2008-03-19:Heroes.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 19, 23, 3, 54): 'browser_startup:2008-03-19:Howto,Computers,Scripting.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 19, 23, 3, 55): 'iraq_opinion:2008-03-19:MilitaryAndNationalSecurity.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 20, 23, 3, 54): 'privatise_the_elephant:2008-03-20:Economics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 24, 23, 3, 54): 'one_law_for_me:2008-03-24:Jurisprudence,Rants.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'heh:2008-03-25:Politics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 28, 23, 3, 53): 'binge_drinking:2008-03-28:Personal-Responsibility.txt', ...}, '2008-04': {datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 2, 23, 3, 54): 'racism:2008-04-02:Politics,Race.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 6, 23, 3, 54): 'the_question_of_suffering:2008-04-06:Humour,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 7, 23, 3, 54): 'tired:2008-04-07:Politics,Rants.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 9, 23, 3, 53): 'css_naked_day_08:2008-04-09:Computers,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 10, 23, 3, 53): 'affirmative_action_in_the_victorian_police:2008-04-10:Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 10, 23, 3, 54): 'insanity:2008-04-10:Politics,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 11, 23, 3, 53): 'a_tale_of_two_companies:2008-04-11:Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 11, 23, 3, 54): 'google_v_religion:2008-04-11:Computers,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 11, 23, 3, 55): 'tactical_shorts:2008-04-11:Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 16, 23, 3, 53): 'carbon_debits:2008-04-16:Humour,Environment,Oddities.txt', ...}, '2008-05': {datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 5, 23, 3, 54): 'graduation:2008-05-05:Education.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 9, 23, 3, 54): 'third_annual_movie-plot_threat_contest_semi-finalists:2008-05-09:Humour,Linkage,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 17, 23, 3, 53): '$9_billion_hole:2008-05-17:Politics,Economics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 19, 23, 3, 54): 'movies:2008-05-19:Movies.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 24, 23, 3, 53): 'an_age_old_question_answered:2008-05-24:Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'the_tree_in_the_garden_of_eden:2008-05-25:Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 26, 23, 3, 54): 'seasteading:2008-05-26:Politics.txt'}, '2008-06': {datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 9, 23, 3, 54): 'liberal_scrooges:2008-06-09:Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 10, 23, 3, 54): 'kiwi_shop_owners_want_guns:2008-06-10:Politics,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 19, 23, 3, 53): 'dagger_with_+5_cold_damage:2008-06-19:Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 20, 23, 3, 53): 'crime_and_punishment:2008-06-20:Jurisprudence.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 21, 23, 3, 54): 'the_joy_of_political_correctness:2008-06-21:Politics,Rants.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 26, 23, 3, 53): 'fuel_prices_will_rise_under_carbon_trading_scheme:2008-06-26:Politics,Environment.txt'}, ...}, admin = False, page = 0
     /home/public/blog.timp.com.au/kukkaisvoima/index.cgi in renderHtml(entries=[<__main__.Entry object>], path=['2014-08'], catelist={'Books': {datetime.datetime(2008, 1, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'the_screwtape_letters:2008-01-12:Books,Humour,Literature,Reviews,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 6, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'narbonic_and_asio:2009-06-13:Humour,Jurisprudence,Books,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity,Linkage.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 7, 4, 23, 3, 54): 'meditations_on_violence:2009-07-04:Books,Reviews,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 7, 12, 23, 3, 53): 'books:2009-07-12:Books,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 10, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'the_meaning_of_waking_dreams:2009-10-12:Humour,Books.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 12, 15, 23, 3, 54): 'sacrilege:2009-12-15:Books.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 2, 1, 23, 3, 53): 'bren_free_library:2010-02-01:Books.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 2, 24, 23, 3, 53): 'book_review_more_than_meets_the_eye_wendy_cooper:2014-02-24:Books,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 3, 27, 23, 3, 53): 'book_review_wes_parker_monster_hunter_cj_pike:2014-03-27:Books,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 4, 23, 0, 30, 17): 'book_review_iron_kingdoms_excursions_season_one_...correia_shick_tayler:2014-04-23:Books,Reviews.txt', ...}, 'Computers': {datetime.datetime(2008, 1, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'installing_kazehakase_051_on_slackware_12:2008-01-30:Howto,Linux,Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 28, 23, 3, 53): 'comments:2008-02-28:Meta,Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 19, 23, 3, 54): 'browser_startup:2008-03-19:Howto,Computers,Scripting.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 9, 23, 3, 53): 'css_naked_day_08:2008-04-09:Computers,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 11, 23, 3, 54): 'google_v_religion:2008-04-11:Computers,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 8, 6, 23, 3, 54): 'random_backgrounds_script:2008-08-06:Linux,Computers,Scripting.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 9, 14, 23, 3, 54): 'new_version_of_commentspl:2008-09-14:Computers,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 11, 22, 23, 3, 54): 'internet_censorship:2008-11-22:Politics,Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 2, 2, 23, 3, 53): 'gmail_pop3_error:2009-02-02:Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 2, 14, 23, 3, 54): 'some_tips_on_speeding_up_slackware_122_boot:2009-02-14:Computers,Howto,Linux.txt', ...}, 'Economics': {datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 20, 23, 3, 54): 'privatise_the_elephant:2008-03-20:Economics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 17, 23, 3, 53): '$9_billion_hole:2008-05-17:Politics,Economics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 7, 23, 23, 3, 53): 'darkening_financial_times_ahead:2008-07-23:Politics,Economics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 11, 1, 23, 3, 55): 'obama_essential_for_the_world:2008-11-01:Economi...ilitaryAndNationalSecurity,Politics,Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 1, 18, 23, 3, 54): 'injecting_money_into_the_economy:2009-01-18:Economics,Politics,Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 3, 1, 23, 3, 53): 'all_economists_support_stimulus_packages:2009-03-01:Economics,Politics,Socialism,Linkage.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 9, 30, 23, 3, 56): 'the_christian_lobby_supports_wage_caps:2009-09-3...nomics,Politics,Religion,Socialism,Philosophy.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 10, 13, 23, 3, 53): 'fines_for_begging:2009-10-13:Economics,Jurisprudence,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 12, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'private_property:2009-12-30:Economics,Environment,Politics,Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2011, 6, 2, 1, 28, 56): 'the_cost_of_smoking_to_the_tax-payer:2011-06-02:Economics,Politics.txt'}, 'Education': {datetime.datetime(2007, 9, 19, 23, 3, 53): '55499999999999998:2007-09-19:Education,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'last_exam:2007-11-13:Education,General.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 16, 23, 3, 54): 'im_back:2007-12-16:Education,Linkage,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 5, 23, 3, 54): 'graduation:2008-05-05:Education.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 6, 14, 23, 3, 53): 'compulsory_student_union_membership:2009-06-14:Education,Politics,Socialism.txt'}, 'Environment': {datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 20, 23, 3, 54): 'privatise_the_elephant:2008-03-20:Economics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'heh:2008-03-25:Politics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 28, 23, 3, 54): 'not_conservative:2008-03-28:Politics,Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 16, 23, 3, 53): 'carbon_debits:2008-04-16:Humour,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 25, 23, 3, 53): 'global_cooling:2008-04-25:Oddities,Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 26, 23, 3, 53): 'fuel_prices_will_rise_under_carbon_trading_scheme:2008-06-26:Politics,Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 7, 1, 23, 3, 54): 'ice-free_north_pole:2008-07-01:Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 8, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'roos_on_the_brink_of_extinction:2008-08-12:Humour,Environment.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 12, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'private_property:2009-12-30:Economics,Environment,Politics,Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 1, 1, 23, 3, 53): 'criticized_for_not_killing_a_protected_animal:2010-01-01:Environment,Oddities.txt', ...}, 'Estgair': {datetime.datetime(2012, 10, 17, 23, 3, 53): 'estgair_map:2012-10-17:Estgair,Games.txt'}, 'Gadgets': {datetime.datetime(2009, 6, 29, 23, 3, 54): 'swiss_army_knives:2009-06-29:Reviews,Gadgets.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 1, 11, 23, 3, 54): 'pilot_78g:2010-01-11:Gadgets.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 4, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'shortwave:2010-04-13:Gadgets,Science.txt'}, 'Games': {datetime.datetime(2009, 7, 27, 23, 3, 54): 'progress_quest:2009-07-27:Computers,Games,Humour,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2012, 10, 17, 23, 3, 53): 'estgair_map:2012-10-17:Estgair,Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2012, 10, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'public_domain_minis:2012-10-25:Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 2, 4, 23, 3, 54): 'wil_wheaton_tabletop:2013-02-04:Linkage,Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 3, 17, 23, 3, 53): 'em4_orcs_and_dwarfs:2013-03-17:Games,Reviews.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 4, 3, 23, 3, 54): 'post_apoc_terrain:2013-04-03:Games,Terrain.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 5, 7, 23, 3, 53): 'first_painted_mini:2013-05-07:Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2013, 8, 26, 23, 3, 53): 'em4_troopers_and_gangers:2013-08-26:Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 4, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'speaking_of_the_street_cleanup:2014-04-30:Games.txt', datetime.datetime(2015, 12, 14, 1, 45, 36): 'linkage:2015-12-14:Games,Linkage,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity,SelfDefence,Politics.txt'}, 'General': {datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'last_exam:2007-11-13:Education,General.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 18, 23, 3, 54): 'tasmania:2007-12-18:General,Politics,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'merry_christmas:2007-12-25:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 12, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'stuff:2008-12-12:General,Linux,Linkage,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 10, 8, 23, 3, 54): 'in_the_usa:2009-10-08:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2009, 12, 14, 23, 3, 54): 'in_australia_&_not_dead:2009-12-14:General,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2010, 1, 1, 23, 3, 55): 'happy_new_year:2010-01-01:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 1, 23, 23, 3, 54): 'vegetable_garden:2014-01-23:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2015, 5, 7, 21, 59, 54): 'vile_faceless_minion:2015-05-07:General,Humour.txt'}, 'HarvardClassics': {datetime.datetime(2013, 12, 4, 23, 3, 54): 'harvard_classics_2:2013-12-04:Literature,HarvardClassics,Philosophy,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 4, 3, 23, 53, 59): 'harvard_classics_3:2014-04-03:Literature,HarvardClassics,Philosophy,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2014, 9, 9, 23, 3, 54): 'harvard_classics_4:2014-09-09:Literature,HarvardClassics,Religion,Poetry.txt', datetime.datetime(2015, 5, 13, 4, 31, 49): 'harvard_classics_5_6:2015-05-13:Literature,HarvardClassics,Philosophy,Poetry.txt', datetime.datetime(2016, 1, 11, 0, 21, 36): 'harvard_classics_7_8:2016-01-11:Literature,HarvardClassics,Philosophy,Religion.txt'}, ...}, arclist={'2007-09': {datetime.datetime(2007, 9, 19, 23, 3, 53): '55499999999999998:2007-09-19:Education,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 9, 19, 23, 3, 54): 'pigs_is_pigs:2007-09-19:Humour.txt'}, '2007-10': {datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 10, 23, 3, 54): 'update:2007-10-10:Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 10, 23, 3, 55): 'insect_picture_of_the_day:2007-10-10:Humour,Linkage.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 12, 23, 3, 53): 'dr_necessiter:2007-10-12:Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'planet_of_the_apes:2007-10-13:Politics,Movies.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 17, 23, 3, 53): 'breast_rubs:2007-10-17:Humour,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 17, 23, 3, 54): 'death_penalty:2007-10-17:Politics,Jurisprudence.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 22, 23, 3, 53): 'darn:2007-10-22:Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 10, 22, 23, 3, 54): 'kamikaze:2007-10-22:Politics,Movies,Race.txt'}, '2007-11': {datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 1, 23, 3, 53): 'aussie_captain_commits_suicide:2007-11-01:Politics,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 1, 23, 3, 54): 'another_half-hearted_sentence:2007-11-01:Self-Defense,Jurisprudence.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 6, 23, 3, 54): 'my_sort_of_multiculturalism:2007-11-06:Humour,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 9, 23, 3, 53): 'every_man_should_have_a_rifle:2007-11-09:Poetry,Politics,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 9, 23, 3, 54): 'reading_level:2007-11-09:Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 13, 23, 3, 54): 'last_exam:2007-11-13:Education,General.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 11, 17, 23, 3, 54): 'going_away:2007-11-17:Meta.txt'}, '2007-12': {datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 16, 23, 3, 54): 'im_back:2007-12-16:Education,Linkage,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 16, 23, 3, 55): 'traumatised_worms:2007-12-16:Rants,Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 18, 23, 3, 54): 'tasmania:2007-12-18:General,Politics,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 18, 23, 3, 55): 'stolen_generation:2007-12-18:Politics,Race.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'merry_christmas:2007-12-25:General.txt', datetime.datetime(2007, 12, 31, 23, 3, 54): 'not_tested_on_animals:2007-12-31:Humour,Linkage.txt'}, '2008-01': {datetime.datetime(2008, 1, 12, 23, 3, 54): 'the_screwtape_letters:2008-01-12:Books,Humour,Literature,Reviews,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 1, 30, 23, 3, 54): 'installing_kazehakase_051_on_slackware_12:2008-01-30:Howto,Linux,Computers.txt'}, '2008-02': {datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 4, 23, 3, 53): 'a_nation_of_cowards:2008-02-04:Linkage,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 11, 23, 3, 54): 'guns:2008-02-11:Linkage,Politics,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 14, 23, 3, 54): 'welfare:2008-02-14:Socialism.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 14, 23, 3, 55): 'sorry:2008-02-14:Politics,Race.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 14, 23, 3, 56): 'provocative_ts:2008-02-14:Politics,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 25, 23, 3, 53): 'caregroups:2008-02-25:Rants,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 28, 23, 3, 53): 'comments:2008-02-28:Meta,Computers.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 2, 29, 23, 3, 54): 'prince_harrys_in_afghanistan:2008-02-29:Heroes,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity.txt'}, '2008-03': {datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 5, 23, 3, 53): 'andrew_symonds_knocks_down_streaker:2008-03-05:Humour.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 11, 23, 3, 53): 'deadly_sins:2008-03-11:Rants,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 16, 23, 3, 53): 'brave_sir_bin_laden:2008-03-16:Humour,MilitaryAndNationalSecurity.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 19, 23, 3, 53): 'bravery:2008-03-19:Heroes.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 19, 23, 3, 54): 'browser_startup:2008-03-19:Howto,Computers,Scripting.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 19, 23, 3, 55): 'iraq_opinion:2008-03-19:MilitaryAndNationalSecurity.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 20, 23, 3, 54): 'privatise_the_elephant:2008-03-20:Economics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 24, 23, 3, 54): 'one_law_for_me:2008-03-24:Jurisprudence,Rants.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'heh:2008-03-25:Politics,Environment,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 3, 28, 23, 3, 53): 'binge_drinking:2008-03-28:Personal-Responsibility.txt', ...}, '2008-04': {datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 2, 23, 3, 54): 'racism:2008-04-02:Politics,Race.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 6, 23, 3, 54): 'the_question_of_suffering:2008-04-06:Humour,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 7, 23, 3, 54): 'tired:2008-04-07:Politics,Rants.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 9, 23, 3, 53): 'css_naked_day_08:2008-04-09:Computers,Meta.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 10, 23, 3, 53): 'affirmative_action_in_the_victorian_police:2008-04-10:Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 10, 23, 3, 54): 'insanity:2008-04-10:Politics,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 11, 23, 3, 53): 'a_tale_of_two_companies:2008-04-11:Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 11, 23, 3, 54): 'google_v_religion:2008-04-11:Computers,Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 11, 23, 3, 55): 'tactical_shorts:2008-04-11:Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 4, 16, 23, 3, 53): 'carbon_debits:2008-04-16:Humour,Environment,Oddities.txt', ...}, '2008-05': {datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 5, 23, 3, 54): 'graduation:2008-05-05:Education.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 9, 23, 3, 54): 'third_annual_movie-plot_threat_contest_semi-finalists:2008-05-09:Humour,Linkage,Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 17, 23, 3, 53): '$9_billion_hole:2008-05-17:Politics,Economics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 19, 23, 3, 54): 'movies:2008-05-19:Movies.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 24, 23, 3, 53): 'an_age_old_question_answered:2008-05-24:Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 25, 23, 3, 54): 'the_tree_in_the_garden_of_eden:2008-05-25:Religion.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 5, 26, 23, 3, 54): 'seasteading:2008-05-26:Politics.txt'}, '2008-06': {datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 9, 23, 3, 54): 'liberal_scrooges:2008-06-09:Politics.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 10, 23, 3, 54): 'kiwi_shop_owners_want_guns:2008-06-10:Politics,Self-Defense.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 19, 23, 3, 53): 'dagger_with_+5_cold_damage:2008-06-19:Oddities.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 20, 23, 3, 53): 'crime_and_punishment:2008-06-20:Jurisprudence.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 21, 23, 3, 54): 'the_joy_of_political_correctness:2008-06-21:Politics,Rants.txt', datetime.datetime(2008, 6, 26, 23, 3, 53): 'fuel_prices_will_rise_under_carbon_trading_scheme:2008-06-26:Politics,Environment.txt'}, ...}, admin=False, page=0)
       1180                 for comment in entry.comments:
       1181                     numofcomment = numofcomment +1
    => 1182                     renderComment(entry, comment, numofcomment, admin)
       1183                 print("</ol>")
       1184             if maxcomments == -1 or len(entry.comments) >= maxcomments:
    global renderComment = <function renderComment>, entry = <__main__.Entry object>, comment = <__main__.Comment object>, numofcomment = 1, admin = False
     /home/public/blog.timp.com.au/kukkaisvoima/index.cgi in renderComment(entry=<__main__.Entry object>, comment=<__main__.Comment object>, numofcomment=1, admin=False, pretext=False)
        816         print("<img style=\"padding-right:5px;\"")
        817         print("src=\"http://gravatar.com/avatar/%s?s=40&d=identicon\" align=\"left\"/>" % (
    =>  818             comment.getEmailMd5Sum()))
        819     print("<cite>%s</cite>:" % comment.getAuthorLink())
        820     print("<br />")
    comment = <__main__.Comment object>, comment.getEmailMd5Sum = <bound method Comment.getEmailMd5Sum of <__main__.Comment object>>
     /home/public/blog.timp.com.au/kukkaisvoima/index.cgi in getEmailMd5Sum(self=<__main__.Comment object>)
        343 
        344     def getEmailMd5Sum(self):
    =>  345         return md5fun(self.email.lower()).hexdigest()
        346 
        347     def getSubEmail(self):
    global md5fun = <built-in function openssl_md5>, self = <__main__.Comment object>, self.email = 'mable.aachen@gmail.com', self.email.lower = <built-in method lower of str object>, ).hexdigest undefined

    TypeError: Strings must be encoded before hashing
          args = ('Strings must be encoded before hashing',)
          with_traceback = <built-in method with_traceback of TypeError object>