(no subject)

[tempestuously]

Levitas. :( Also, why the hell does Temeraire call Laurence by his last name when their relationship is supposed to be all bff/fathersonly? It just weirds me out. I'm inclined to believe Novik does this simply because she likes the name of Laurence more than William but that William is the more common name of the era. Still, it's dumb. Oh yes, book finished. Now onto "Throne of Jade."

Comments

[unicorn]

She's said that it's because she thinks of Laurence as Laurence, not William, yeah.

[reneetwist.livejournal.com]

Well, back in Regency/Victorian England, manners were srs business; the use of proper terms of address (knowing what to call someone) was a part of society life. Given names were reserved for the family circle. Those closest to the individual might have permission to use the first name also. However, male age cohorts would commonly address each other by surname alone in casual conversation, starting from school days to throughout their life.

Temeraire probably heard Laurence being called "Laurence" more often than "William" in his early stages, so that would stick, also- believe me, it's still very informal, and affirms their closeness! But after studying Jane Austen's works for two years, informal surname usage is not that strange anymore. :)