Monday, October 20, 2014

The Raven Cycle: Why I Love Gansey

Richard Campbell Gansey III. Gansey. It makes no difference to me what he prefers to be called; my heart would belong to this Raven Boy regardless.

I was instantly captivated by Gansey's character. I mean, Maggie Stiefvater has given Blue and all four of the boys such rich, meticulously constructed backstories, but Gansey's just took over my brain and heart and shows no signs of letting go. Ever.

What I love most about Gansey is how much he cares about his friends, and the newest addition to their little group, Blue. In a lot of ways, Gansey reminds me of a parent, with his worry in The Raven Boys over Adam's home situation and Ronan's possible expulsion from Aglionby. Yes, Gansey has had the luxury of a life of privilege and occasionally comes across as condescending to those who don't know him well, but I really think that he has a kind heart with genuinely generous intentions.

On a lighter, and maybe even quirkier, note, I feel a sort of kinship with Gansey for needing to hold his phone right up to his face if he's not wearing contacts or glasses. That is a scenario I know all too well. I usually turn my phone on first thing in the morning before even getting out of bed, and I have to hover it really, really, dangerously close to my face. I have actually texted Ally and The Melissa like this and have actually texted, "I'm in Gansey mode right now." Yes, I really am this obsessed with this character.

Of course I can't write about Gansey without also writing about Glendower, the Welsh king of legend who is at the center of Gansey's obsessive search. There is no other word to describe Gansey's quest but "obsessive" because Glendower is the be-all and end-all for Gansey. The never ending, all-consuming, exhaustive research. The journal. I'm a little nervous about what will happen if Gansey does find his sleeping king. I hope Glendower isn't going to be all angry about the interruption to his nap and smite the person responsible. Gansey's previous brush with death and the whole Blue-related matter make me even more nervous on his behalf. Obviously, the last thing I want is to see anything bad befall him, but the odds look a tad unfavorable at the moment.

I've missed Gansey tons in the year that's passed since The Dream Thieves, and I cannot wait to read about him again (and everybody, really). I'll try to savor every page he appears on and every line of dialogue he utters, but part of me also can't devour the books in this series fast enough.

8 comments:

  1. Gah! I loved reading this post, I love all the Raven Boys feels!! it's impossible not to be captivated by Gansey with his old soul and his passions, his obsessions...sure he's socially awkward sometimes, but who of us isn't?! The way he cares for his friends is impossible to ignore and I mean he really does try NOT to be insensitive. That's gotta count for something right?!

    I love that you say you're: in Gansey mode ♥ If I had contacts or glasses I would probably follow your lead ;)

    And I think maybe we love him so much partly because his faith seems so hopeless, right from the start. We're all wishing some miracle happens but at the same time, we're not holding our collective breath. Man, this series is so going to destroy us *sobs*

    Thanks for sharing the Gansey love, Lee!! I'm already looking forward to the next post :D

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    1. I love how my family understands "Gansey mode" to mean that 1) I'm not yet wearing glasses or contacts and 2) I'm not yet out of bed. XD

      As much as we've been forewarned about what may lie ahead in Gansey's future, it's still nowhere near enough to brace me for that future to come true. You're totally right- this series is going to destroy us. Completely.

      I'm counting down the hours until I get to come home tomorrow and start reading the precioussss! :D

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    1. Yay! I really do love Blue and all of the Raven Boys, but Gansey is my guy. ❤

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  3. I like Gansey but he can be so exhausting! I need to read BLLB ASAP! Gosh I hate being behind this series.

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    1. We got our copies today! It was very comforting to find them in the mailbox after an otherwise really tough day for all three of us.

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  4. Love this post. Gansey is by far my favourite in The Raven Cycle and that's no insult to the other characters. It's more about how much I adore him. I love the way he is loyal and takes care of other people. He's so thoughtful and gentle and so charismatic. Also, love the little quirks like the phone thing! LOL, great post. :)

    -P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex

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    1. He's always trying to help everyone, and I absolutely love that about him. I think he and Blue would make such a sweet couple, but . . . I don't want anything horrible to happen to him, either!

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