Yes, the contrast between Druisius’s life and Eudekia’s is intentional, as is his refusal to think much beyond the immediate, or allow himself to feel, and her introspection and analysis and emotions.
Their backgrounds are different, and that could have made Eudekia a flatter character with more constrained horizons, but it’s Druisius who is less aware of the world, and satisfied with his little pleasures. I didn’t warm to him. I hope he grows up a bit.
I'll leave you to decide that for yourself. Some readers love Druisius. Some don't. Others don't like Eudekia. They are who they are - what readers make of them is mediated through their own experiences and likes and dislikes, I think. None of my characters are universally liked, which I take as a compliment - they are multidimensional people who are neither wholly good nor wholly bad, and grow and learn and change.
It’s the sign of believable characters when they make the same impressions as real people. We don’t have to like them to find them interesting and well-rounded as characters.
The pace has changed, I think, perhaps because the mc is female and the setting is a domestic one. I am enjoying the richer textures.
Yes, the contrast between Druisius’s life and Eudekia’s is intentional, as is his refusal to think much beyond the immediate, or allow himself to feel, and her introspection and analysis and emotions.
Their backgrounds are different, and that could have made Eudekia a flatter character with more constrained horizons, but it’s Druisius who is less aware of the world, and satisfied with his little pleasures. I didn’t warm to him. I hope he grows up a bit.
I'll leave you to decide that for yourself. Some readers love Druisius. Some don't. Others don't like Eudekia. They are who they are - what readers make of them is mediated through their own experiences and likes and dislikes, I think. None of my characters are universally liked, which I take as a compliment - they are multidimensional people who are neither wholly good nor wholly bad, and grow and learn and change.
It’s the sign of believable characters when they make the same impressions as real people. We don’t have to like them to find them interesting and well-rounded as characters.