What did you guys think of the Guosim? I've heard people say they were annoying, and I've heard people that loved them.
I really like the Guosim. Their bickering can be tiresome, but they're a hardworking group of good fighters who always step up to the aid of the protagonists, even though it costs them the lives of some of their own. They also add a good amount of humour. I admire the unity within their tribe and timelessness of their traditions. Over the ages, the Guosim has stayed the Guosim.
I like the Guosim in later books, but the very first ones (the one with the actual union and the blackstone) often got on my nerves. It just seemed counterproductive to have a tribe leader and a union leader, so I'm glad that got sorted out. I think early in the series, they were actually too argumentative.
I thought it was quite comical, with the squabbling for the blackstone...that was quite hysterical! ;D
's been awhile since this topic has been posted on, but I have something to add. In the redwall TV series, the Guosim were characterized as communists (which isn't uncommon for any sort of tribe really). Also, the blackstone wasn't just used in the first book, it came up in Salamandastron I believe, it was used to recognize the Log-A-Log of all southern shrews.
The TV Series actually said the Guosim were communists? What the? XD
It didn't explicitly say that, it just implied that. The Russian accents were a part of it as well
Interesting.
I only watched one episode of the show and it didn't even have shrews so I wouldn't know.
Quote from: alexandre on January 09, 2017, 04:59:56 AM
It didn't explicitly say that, it just implied that. The Russian accents were a part of it as well
Wait, what? Really? I really didn't connect Log-A-Log and Stalin like that...
I really liked the Gousim at first. They were a cool part of Mossflower Wood which I enjoyed. It seemed every Log-A-Log was different and each group was fresh. Until the later books though. At that point, they just felt like an over used plot device to help the travelers. I really wished Brian could have spread them out more or given them a whole book rather than shoehorning them in all the time. A real shame. But I still enjoy them either way. They did have some killer rowing songs.
Which book was it that has the evil Log-a-Log? That will be a change.
Doomwyte.
evil he may have been, but that song about him is so awesome...
If only I could understand them better.
Quote from: Gonff the Mousethief on January 09, 2017, 05:24:46 AM
Quote from: alexandre on January 09, 2017, 04:59:56 AM
It didn't explicitly say that, it just implied that. The Russian accents were a part of it as well
Wait, what? Really? I really didn't connect Log-A-Log and Stalin like that...
Well, maybe not the ideals, but before they would do anything, they
all had to agree on a course of action.
I like the Guoism! How they dress is fun and interesting, and shrews are pretty darn cute. :P They were a good addition in the books, yet I agree with Gonff that they could, at times, seem just a convenience to get a character from A to B, or provide an extra number for an army, rather than being a bit more fleshed out characters in the books. Perhaps there could have been a book which focused more on the Guosim side of things, and then, of course, linking it with Redwall Abbey and whichever problem is afoot.
I like that idea.
There was a book about the Long Patrol (and it was convinently titled that), so I think a Guosim book would be just fine if not better because of the shrews' more tolerable personalities.
I honestly ADORE the Gousim.
The way they can't be quiet for more than five minutes and how easily they jump to conclusions (and weapons) is just a delight... and I think they add a lot to the story that way. They made the part with Captain Snow bearable for me.
Okay, question:
Why is the main shrew from the first book actually named Guosim? She's Guosim of the Guosim and I don't understand.
Because Brian was lazy as didn't know a better name. Perhaps he meant it as an early form of Log-a-log - a title for the leader.
Except that he had Log-a-log in there as well. . .
Speaking of Log-a-log, what kind of a war cry is that? Redwall, Salamandastron, Eulalia, victory, freedom. . . those all can make you want to fight if you yell them to the winds. But go "logalogalogalog". It just doesn't work.
Maybe if it were "log-a-looooooog", with an empasis on the last vowel, it would sound better, but repeating that short word (a-log) isn't as intimidating or inspiring.
Oh, I don't know, I can see it being somewhat intimidating in a tribal way. The repetition probably gets the shrews properly psyched up an' all.
Quote from: Skarzs on April 02, 2017, 03:03:23 PM
Except that he had Log-a-log in there as well. . .
Speaking of Log-a-log, what kind of a war cry is that? Redwall, Salamandastron, Eulalia, victory, freedom. . . those all can make you want to fight if you yell them to the winds. But go "logalogalogalog". It just doesn't work.
Maybe if it were "log-a-looooooog", with an empasis on the last vowel, it would sound better, but repeating that short word (a-log) isn't as intimidating or inspiring.
Its like the Indian battle cry in a way, which according to history can be very intimidating.
The Guosim were great! It would have been awesome if there had been a book about them.
I really liked how they would always argue/debate about things.
Quote from: alexandre on January 09, 2017, 03:38:25 PM
evil he may have been, but that song about him is so awesome...
I totally agree! Then again, most Redwall songs are awesome!
Quote from: Ashleg on March 17, 2017, 10:00:50 PM
I like that idea.
There was a book about the Long Patrol (and it was convinently titled that), so I think a Guosim book would be just fine if not better because of the shrews' more tolerable personalities.
If there was a 23rd Redwall book and I got to create a name for it, it would be called Guosim.
Sounds like you like the Guosim a lot. ;)
What's not to like about (most of) them?!
They're not really my favorite group in Redwall. Can't really place exactly why.
Why is Guosim pronounced Gowsym instead of Gwosym, like it looks?
I've always pronounced it Goosym, even though I know it's wrong. ;D
It should be gyoo-zim. ;D
Does anyone else do Gee- You- Oh- Ess- Ai- Em?
I've always pronounced it Goo-Oh-Sym.
Quote from: The Grey Coincidence on November 27, 2018, 11:21:22 AM
Does anyone else do Gee- You- Oh- Ess- Ai- Em?
So, spell it out? No.
Quote from: Ashleg on January 09, 2017, 04:52:17 AMThe TV Series actually said the Guosim were communists? What the? XD
I thought they were Brian Jacques's way of making fun of the American democracy. Not the mean kind of making fun, just the gently teasing kind that actually is funny.