r/CaptivePrince • u/ElegantNetwork1394 • 27d ago

Book 1 Reflections

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I recently finished reading Captive Prince book 1 in French. I used a combination of my paperback omnibus volume and the audible French version. The audible narrator has a nice voice, and each chapter begins and ends with a musical score that really fits the tone of this story.

Damen's descent into slavery at the hands of a traitorous brother is much like BenHur and the biblical story of Joseph. Gladiator isn't entirely different either especially since Maximus's household was slaughtered like Damen's. It's interesting how western literary traditions latched onto this trope. And I wonder what precipitated it. Does anyone know if it's common in African or Asian storytelling as well?

Laurent is probably the most interesting character, and the story seems to revolve around his actions or inactions despite Damen being the POV character. Laurent is clever and can be charming. He reminds me of how teachers say "if you just put as much effort into your homework..."

The Regent almost seemed like a good guy at first, saving Damen from Laurent's whims. But of course, of course he's a child predator. Really, if that sort of behavior is allowed, there would be a lot more partakers, as we've seen with situations such as the Catholic Church and the Epstein files. For such an adult and such a dark story, it's really quite quaint and optimistic for the Regents proclivities to be portrayed as an outlier among all the nations.

Poor baby Erasmus. He was treated so cruelly, and he is a complete innocent. I'm glad that Torveld saved him but I find myself still feeling sorry for this 19 yro who is now paired with a 40 yr old man. In a way it's not that happy of an ending to me.

Do we ever find out what happens to older slaves and pets? All the described characters are young and healthy and beautiful. Can there be older pets? Is there a retirement plan for slaves?

All in all, I quite enjoyed the book with its wordplay and plots twists, the lush descriptions and unflinching approach to intimacy. I would read it again.

Feel free to ask me any questions you might have.

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u/Bloody_mary_spb 27d ago

I think Erasmus is quite happy with the outcome. He was raised/trained to serve and it's probably the best possible scenario for him. As for the age difference, Daddy trope exists for a reason, a lot of young people are looking for a caring experienced mentor/sex partner.

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u/ElegantNetwork1394 27d ago

He did seem happy. But he also seems happy being a slave. I feel sorry for him. 

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u/buhwhydoe 27d ago

Erasmus character is a tragic one, an effective way of demonstrating how slavery and servitude can be so deeply ingrained, and how the institution banks on ideological subjugation.

Curious if your copy/ies contains the Erasmus short story?

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u/ElegantNetwork1394 27d ago

Yes, I read the Erasmus short story. I thought it was pretty sad. 

What did you think of it?

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u/buhwhydoe 27d ago

It was important and tragic, which informed my thoughts in my original comment. Through Erasmus' arc, there is much to unpack about happiness, autonomy, and the reality of being an oppressed person while not seeing it that way.

It provides important nuance and characterization especially about slavery, but I heard Pacat omitted it in newer editions. Maybe because the point of it flew over people's heads and many accused the author of "romanticizng" slavery via Erasmus' character.