I was intrigued by the dynamics of the links in Thurwar’s chain. Does the fact that they’re constantly being filmed alters how they interact with each other? After Sunset’s death, the chain becomes slightly hostile and Thurwar imposes a moratorium on intra-chain violence. What are the benefits and limitations of community in this kind of setting? What, if anything, is Adjei-Brenyah trying to say about community in circumstances where everyone is just trying to survive?
Thank you so much for picking this book. It’s a brilliant commentary on our prison system, capitalism violence, and our obsession with reality TV. The author has done an amazing job of making us care about these character, even the minor ones. He’s demonstrated how these killing “machines” have a soul and are capable of caring, sacrificing and even loving. Sunset’s death clearly depicted that. Committing to the community of the gang is the one choice they’re free to make. It gives them something to hold sacred. I think the author is trying to show that even in such desperate circumstances, being part of a community can sustain you.
I have actually just past this part of the book recently (slow reader here) and have been thinking a lot about community dynamics and control. The way Thurwar has to balance her own survival and safety with what others in the chain need or may want is actually so realistically told. While there’s a lot of talk about family and loyalty, you also really see how conflicted they are about believing they can actually belong. Maybe I’ll find a different interpretation in the second half of the book, but right now I’m truly feeling how fragile it all is, including community and belonging, and that it is its own living, breathing entity --one you can’t control and manipulate as much as you think you can. It’s sooo layered. I love this book!
The near-constant surveillance by a massive audience creates obvious and subtle impacts to the links’ ways of being, interacting, performing. Using riddles brought to mind code-switching. Adjei-Brenyah’s crafting of group dynamics on the Thurwar/Sunset chain reminded me of the ways apocalyptic survivor groups are thrown together and the inherent labor and tenuous nature of navigating non-chosen community (ala Octavia Butler’s Parables).
Beth, agree, and would add thar by stopping inter-chain violence, it also gave them brief moment to really relax. Just be. Being filmed 95% of the time had to be a killer, too.
This book tackles many social issues we can find in today's headline about our justice system. The author has shown that wherever we hail from, whoever we are (age, gender, race, orientation, financial status, education, ability...} that we belong in a community that reflects shared experiences, current situations and aspirations whether we're aware of it or not. No one lives in a vacuum. Great book selection always!!
Thank you so much for picking this book. It’s a brilliant commentary on our prison system, capitalism violence, and our obsession with reality TV. The author has done an amazing job of making us care about these character, even the minor ones. He’s demonstrated how these killing “machines” have a soul and are capable of caring, sacrificing and even loving. Sunset’s death clearly depicted that. Committing to the community of the gang is the one choice they’re free to make. It gives them something to hold sacred. I think the author is trying to show that even in such desperate circumstances, being part of a community can sustain you.
I have actually just past this part of the book recently (slow reader here) and have been thinking a lot about community dynamics and control. The way Thurwar has to balance her own survival and safety with what others in the chain need or may want is actually so realistically told. While there’s a lot of talk about family and loyalty, you also really see how conflicted they are about believing they can actually belong. Maybe I’ll find a different interpretation in the second half of the book, but right now I’m truly feeling how fragile it all is, including community and belonging, and that it is its own living, breathing entity --one you can’t control and manipulate as much as you think you can. It’s sooo layered. I love this book!
The near-constant surveillance by a massive audience creates obvious and subtle impacts to the links’ ways of being, interacting, performing. Using riddles brought to mind code-switching. Adjei-Brenyah’s crafting of group dynamics on the Thurwar/Sunset chain reminded me of the ways apocalyptic survivor groups are thrown together and the inherent labor and tenuous nature of navigating non-chosen community (ala Octavia Butler’s Parables).
Community is important as it allows for support and even admiration. Side note is that the Audible is incredible!
Beth, agree, and would add thar by stopping inter-chain violence, it also gave them brief moment to really relax. Just be. Being filmed 95% of the time had to be a killer, too.
This book tackles many social issues we can find in today's headline about our justice system. The author has shown that wherever we hail from, whoever we are (age, gender, race, orientation, financial status, education, ability...} that we belong in a community that reflects shared experiences, current situations and aspirations whether we're aware of it or not. No one lives in a vacuum. Great book selection always!!