Saturday, April 7, 2012

The last week of The Lies of Locke Lamora read-along

Well, the book has been behind me for some time now but it's still fresh in my mind. It's not one you would forget soon. :)

This week's questions were provided by Lynn from Lynn's Book Blog and here they are with my answers:

1.       The Thorn of Camorr is renowned - he can beat anyone in a fight and he steals from the rich to give to the poor.  Except of course that clearly most of the myths surrounding him are based on fantasy and not fact.  Now that the book is finished how do you feel the man himself compares to his legend.  Did you feel that he changed as the story progressed and, if so, how did this make you feel about him by the time the conclusion was reached?

I don't think the legend is far from the truth. I mean, Thorn's/Locke's intellect moves in different planes than my own and I know I'd never be able to come up with the solutions he comes up with. And that thinking at the spur of the moment? Incredible.
I don't think he changed through the story, I just think life forced him to become all that he can be.


2.       Scott Lynch certainly likes to give his leading ladies some entertaining and strong roles to play.  We have the Berangia sisters – and I definitely wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of them or their blades plus Dona Vorchenza who is the Spider and played a very cool character – even play acting to catch the Thorn.  How did you feel about the treatment the sisters and Dona received at the hands of Jean and Locke – were you surprised, did it seem out of character at all or justified?

Nothing concerning any of the women seemed out of character. I'm guessing you're thinking about the violence?
The society of Comarr strikes me as very much balanced and democratic when it comes to sexes and no sex is allowed the upper hand. Fair dealings or if it's not, you better watch your back, whoever you are.


3.       Towards the end we saw a little more of the magic and the history of the Bondsmagi.  The magic, particularly with the use of true names, reminds me a little of old fashioned witchcraft or even voodoo.  But, more than that I was fascinated after reading the interlude headed ‘The Throne in Ashes’ about the Elderglass and the Elders and why their structures were able to survive even against the full might of the Bondsmagi – do you have any theories about this do you think it’s based on one of our ancient civilisations or maybe similar to a myth??

Good question. I have no idea why Elderglass survived but I'm guessing the Bondsmagi power somehow comes from the Elders. I sincerely hope we'll learn more about it in the next book.
As to true names, I came across that type of magic in some other books, and I find it both intruguing and terribly frightening from the perspective where everyone knows my name. :)


4.       We have previously discussed Scott Lynch’s use of description and whether it’s too much or just spot on.  Having got into the last quarter of the book where the level of tension was seriously cranked up – did you still find, the breaks for interludes and the descriptions useful or, under the circumstances did it feel more like a distraction?

I think the interludes work great for two reasons. One is, you learn important stuff in order to build a good background, and secondly, it works wonders for the intensity of the story, making you read faster and faster to get to the part where it continues after the interlude.


5.       Now that the book has finished how did you feel about the conclusion and the eventual reveal about the Grey King and more to the point the motivations he declared for such revenge – does it seem credible, were you expecting much worse or something completely different altogether?

I didn't know what to expect honestly. It was clear to me quite soon I had no idea who Grey King was and couldn't even hazard a guess (which makes Mr. Lynch a really good writer for me). It seems credible as some people really get hung up on revenge and that is the only purpose of their lives. Whether it's a justified revenge or not, doesn't matter, because for them it's more than justified.


6.       Were you surprised that Locke, being given two possible choices (one of which could possibly mean he would miss his chance for revenge on the Grey King) chose to go back to the Tower  – especially given that (1) he would have difficulty in getting into the building (2) he would have difficulty in convincing them about the situation and (3) he would have difficulty in remaining free afterwards? Did anyone else nearly pee their pants when Locke and the rest were carrying the sculptures up to the roof garden?

Not really. :) Like I said, revenge is not a rational emotion. Plus, by that time, I didn't doubt Locke could do pretty much anything he set his mind to.
Carrying the sculptures was for me like watching a movie where they still have second to defuse a bomb before it goes off. Scary.
 

7.       Finally, the other question I would chuck in here is that, following the end of the book I was intrigued to check out some of the reviews of LOLL and noticed that the negative reviews mentioned the use of profanity.  How did you feel about this – was it excessive? Just enough? Not enough?

I believe I mentioned this in my first post, I live in a country where profanity is so much a part of language I no longer notice it most of the time (unless someone is being imaginative).
I don't think the use of profanity deserves a bad review.  I mean there are many different cultures in our world and some of them use profaity as everyday speech, does that mean those are bad cultures and peoples?
I think it should be put in proper context, because societies whre profanity is used never truly mean those words, they are more a part of the colorful background and that is how I interpreted it here.


8.       Okay one further, and probably most important but very quick question – having finished, will you pick up the sequel, Red Seas Under Red Skies?


Of course!! :D
Although I believe I'll wait for the next read-along, it's way more fun like that.



The read-along is hosted by these blogs:

The Little Red Reviewer

Dark Cargo

SF SIgnal

My Awful Reviews

8 comments:

  1. I liked the interludes - I thought it was a really good way of reinforcing certain elements of the story just before you read about them!
    I definitely don't think the use of profanity deserves a bad review! Especially when it's used in the right context, which it is here! I mean, you wouldn't want to read your favourite fairtale that way would you (once upon a fucking time....etc) but then you wouldn't expect there to be no language in Goodfellas. It's all about context and that's how it should be judged.
    Lynn :D

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    1. Exactly! There is a time and place for everything and I don't think Camorr would work without profanity. It's just that type of society.

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  2. You are so right about the sexual equality in Camorr: I liked the fact that every time we had a group of any type it was always a mix of men AND women, whether it was bodyguards or tradespeople.

    I know what you mean about the profanity: I agree that it isn't a real reason for a poor review and just shows that the reviewer is too narrow minded to deal with the real world.

    Again, you are right about the Read Alongs: they are so much fun! See you at the next one! :)

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    1. Sue, I'm already looking forward to what everybody as to say about the next book. :)
      I really think I got more out of the book because of the read-along, I never ask myself any questions when I read.
      I believe that sexual equality is one of the traits making this book so good. You get by on your own capabitilies, no matter what sex you belong to. Honestly, some of the scariest characters in the book are women (if not all).

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  3. I love all the true names magic. I've run into it elsewhere as well, but it never gets old. Names are such intimate things, our parents go through so much trouble getting little children to learn how to say their name, and then to have some magician use it against you, it's incredibly creepy!! I do hope we learn more about the Bondsmagi, but they are scary, so maybe not!

    on that note, i LOVE the interludes. for me, they are the foundation of the worldbuilding at the characterization. Sure, with all that action and tension at the end I just want the story to continue, but even then, the interludes are important.

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    1. Creepy is the right word. To have something of your uniqueness turned against you while you're uncapable of doing anything is something I rather not contemplate. :)

      As to interludes, I don't remember ever reading a book where they fit in so well.

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  4. I loved your comment about profanity. Total agreement here. Also, the interludes did the same thing for me - stretched out the tension and also gave me the background to have appreciation for the current situation.

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    1. Honestly, I don't think this book would be so good if it weren't for the interludes. Incredible really how much they add to the whole experience.

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