Which could have been dodgy if handled differently, because it might seem to imply that people with disabilities have no excuse for not being as awesome as Gen is
Yes, I agree the books don't give that message. I was trying to think of something to back up that gut feeling and Relius came to mind. Gen and Attolia obviously hope he'll stay around in some capacity, but they're perfectly willing to let him go have his farm with the goats and the fountain (which, to be honest, sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me). They understand, I think, that he's older and frailer and they give him the choice.
I think the 3rd person narration also has a lot to do with the larger-than-life feeling after Thief. But you're right, his anguish over the loss of his hand and subsequent events do keep him close to us as readers.
Re: spoilers for MWT's Thief series
Yes, I agree the books don't give that message. I was trying to think of something to back up that gut feeling and Relius came to mind. Gen and Attolia obviously hope he'll stay around in some capacity, but they're perfectly willing to let him go have his farm with the goats and the fountain (which, to be honest, sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me). They understand, I think, that he's older and frailer and they give him the choice.
I think the 3rd person narration also has a lot to do with the larger-than-life feeling after Thief. But you're right, his anguish over the loss of his hand and subsequent events do keep him close to us as readers.