ladybusiness | (Reply)

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I think death is a really interesting avenue from which to approach discussion of this book, because so many deaths are permanent, while others aren't. It seems arbitrary. It's a good point about Six Feet Under (which I've only seen half a season for) and other stories that have a death as a moment that truly means something. Obviously in some cases I understand those, because narrative-wise there's a logic to them, even if they're sad or disappointing, they do something to enrich the story if they aren't otherwise problematic.

I don't want to argue that Leon's death which sets so much in motion, plus the other deaths inflicted by Goss and Subby were less worthy, but they were consequences of getting involved in the Tattoo's business and not avoidable after the fact. Wati's death he made avoidable himself (ugh, I loved Wati, after the ladies he was my favorite). Dane's second (or third? I wasn't sure on the count there) death = totally avoidable! He choose it, so who am I to say, no, don't do it? But Billy was his friend, and did say, please don't do it, and he ignored him. Unfortunately for personal reasons, the book loses me at that point, because there's having a faith that's important to you and then tossing the care and concern of a friend back in their face, right? The book even makes the point that the kraken god doesn't ask them for anything, so what gives?

I guess it could come back to martyrdom. Was Dane an effective martyr? I don't think so. Does that mean the book was attempting to make a statement about martyrdom itself? Ugh, feelings. :(