Pure by Julianna Baggott
24 February 2012 
Just finished reading Pure by Julianna Baggott.
Pure is a strange, dark and original blend of post apocalyptic and dystopian. It’s set in a world where detonations have taken place and the world has been reduced to rubble, except for the Dome – which was protected from the blast. This is a world of contrasts. The haves and have nots, the vulnerable and the protected, the wretches and the pures and very much the rights and the wrongs. When the detonations took place a number of people had managed to reach the safety of the Dome – these people are known as Pures because they remain intact, perfect and unblemished. The people on the outside of the Dome either died instantaneously or survived but not in their original condition. They became fused to objects, people, animals or each other. Some are barely recognisable, turned into monsters. It’s a harsh and unrecognisable landscape, littered with remnants of the former world, jagged remains of buildings and ash filled air. A lot of the people have lost their humanity in the fight to survive and many have turned bitter eyes towards the Dome and would like nothing more than to take some revenge. On top of the fight to survive in this harsh landscape the survivors are ‘policed’ by the OSR who basically terrorise them and take all the children who reach the age of 16 – for what purpose there is no clear explanation.
You could be forgiven for thinking the inhabitants of the Dome are living a peachy life, they escaped the horrors of the blast after all. However, they are ruled by a dictator and fed false information, their young men are taken for elite training and adapted into strange new beings, the women are treated in a strange, almost old fashioned way and opinionated females seem to be taken into a mental institution for correction. In spite of this, few of them would want to leave the protection of the dome. All except one that is.
The story is told from a number of points of views, the main characters being Pressia, a wretch, scarred and with a doll’s head fused to her in place of her hand, and Partride, the son of the most important man within the Dome, perfect unscarred skin, all digits intact, full head of hair, pristine. The two of them will come together, thrown together through necessity and struggling to survive and accomplish the mission Partridge has broken out of the Dome for.
I won’t go any further into the plot in order to avoid spoilers but will say there are a number of twists and turns and Julianna doesn’t take prisoners.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow to get into at first but once it works it’s magic it’s virtually unputdownable. It’s so utterly strange and unique. Some of the ideas that the author has come up with are bizarre and fascinating – the Groupies, the Mothers, the Dusts – horrible, creepy and totally compelling to read about. I thought the world building was excellent and the characters really well drawn. I particularly liked some of the secondary characters such as Bradwell.
We also get to take a long hard look into human nature. In a disaster situation it appears the old adage ‘survival of the fittest’ takes on a whole new significance. We see the cruel and spiteful who seem to flourish in this type of environment, picking on the weak and vulnerable, we see the manipulators using others for their own ends and we see the results of an obsessed mind driven to drastic measures by it’s own search for perfection.
In terms of criticisms I don’t really have anything major although a little more information in certain respects would have been a plus – not sure where exactly this takes place in America. Did the detonations take place all over the world. Just a bit more background although that might be forthcoming in the next two novels. Also, I found some elements of the plot a little bit predictable – although I didn’t particularly find that irritating as this isn’t supposed to be a thriller.
I think this book is aimed at older YA but I feel it will appeal to an older market. I don’t suppose it will appeal to everyone given the bleak landscape. It’s not particularly bubbly or cheerful after all but even with that I did find it had a feeling of hope running through and I thought the story telling was excellent. I would definitely recommend and I look forward to reading the next.
Pure
Second Foundation by Issac Asimov, Group Readalong part 1
Just finished reading Chapters 1-9 of Second Foundation as part of a group readalong I am taking part in hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings.
I don’t read a lot of sci fi but wanted to branch out some more and this series has been really great. This weeks questions and discussion points below: (Beware of spoilers!)
1. How have your perceptions of the Mule and his form of governing grown or changed, or not, after spending more time with him in this novel?
I like the Mule less in this novel than previously (in fact I’ve lost any feelings of sympathy that I once had for him). He seems more sinister somehow or perhaps I just totally misread him previously. When he first appeared under the persona of the Clown I wanted to believe he was okay and he almost seemed a little sad which made me feel more forgiving towards him. Also, although I didn’t agree with his methods he didn’t appear to take casualties if he could avoid doing so. Now, he appears to have wiped out any traces of the clown almost as though when he lost his only friend he lost his last shred of humanity. He’s now wiping out full planets without a second thought and he seems much more vindictive. I’m also not totally sure why he was so hell bent on discovering the Second Foundation and bending that to his will as well. He already had the whole system in his pocket and yet he was ruthlessly determined in spite of the fact that most people didn’t believe that the Second Foundation even existed.
2. Having finally gotten a glimpse into the mysterious Second Foundation, what are your feelings/thoughts about this group and their methods (as revealed thus far)
A bit mixed at the moment to be honest. I found the conflict with the Mule the guy from Second Foundation fascinating. Talk about twists and turns! Again we seem to have a planet whose inhabitants are determined to keep within the confines of the Seldon prediction. It’s strange that there are so many people absolutely set on ensuring this prophecy succeeds. You can’t help wondering what would the difference have been without all the interventions. I’m waiting to see how this new element develops – I couldn’t help thinking however that the tactics used to eliminate the threat posed by the Mule were so similar to the tactics he would have used himself! I don’t totally agree with this mind manipulation ‘thing’, however, I was definitely not rooting for the Mule during the confrontation so was actually relieved to a certain extent (even though I didn’t approve the methods). I’d almost started to believe the Mule was really invincible!
3. Has your understanding of the Seldon Plan changed at all with the revelations about the plan and the Second Foundationers near the end of this first part of our reading? Looking back does it alter any ideas you had about Seldon and his predictions?
I think I’m still just as much in the dark as when I first started to read. I had no inkling of the Second Foundation until the point it was actually revealed (I did wonder how Seldon could have predicted things so accurately given how much things would change and develop in the years since he made his prediction and the fact that he would have no knowledge of the effect that these developments would actually mean) but, still waiting to see how things pan out. I’m loving all the secrecy about the location of Second Foundation – I feel as though it’s going to be something really obvious that I should have spotted – hidden in plain sight maybe! I like the way we’ve moved on through the books – we’ve had power through force, through economics and now it seems through intellect. Very intriguing and thought provoking. (I do feel like a big dunce for being so in the dark with how the plot will develop but on this occasion I’m actually not even attempting to second guess the outcome which is unusual for me.
4. A simple one: How did you feel the first part of Second Foundation held up in comparison to the sections we’ve previously read?
Again, similar to the previous book, I really enjoyed this first half and am really looking forward to reading the concluding chapters. I’m still enjoying the style of writing. It’s sort of minimalistic yet manages to say exactly enough to put you in the picture, keep you entertained and make you keep turning the pages. Quickly.
5. It is perhaps not surprising that Asimov’s second important female character in the trilogy would be a direct descendent of the first. What do you think of young Arcadia “Arkady” Darell?
I like her – she’s got a lot of nous! It will be interesting to see what role she eventually comes to play and I think the link with Bayta is good to read about – and makes you keep her story fresh in your memory.
Thanks for the questions Carl. Look forward to all the discussions.
Lynn 😀
Hexed by Kevin Hearne
Just finished reading Hexed by Kevin Hearne, the 2nd in the Iron Druid Chronicles. I recently read Hounded and liked it so much I could have just picked it back up and reread it but, as I’m behind with this series, I didn’t have to reread as the 2nd and 3rd installments were available – lucky me! If you haven’t read the first book beware of spoilers contained within.
Hexed picks up immediately from where Hounded left off. Atticus has a (very) brief respite from the excitement of the first book before his troubles once again begin. He is in the process of arranging a peace treaty with the local witch coven, in an attempt to keep the peace following his all out battle with half of the coven in book No.1. The number of witches in the area is however about to grow dramatically – and the new witches are not friendly – to anyone!
There is plenty to entertain again in this novel. We have the leftover demon-who-isn’t-a-demon from book No.1 who still remains to be taken care of and has in the meantime taken to eating students. We have Bacchants causing chaos and orgies and we have this new coven of demon consorting witches – witches that Atticus has met before, in World War II.
We have the cast from the first book back in full effect. Gods, vampires, werewolves, shop assistants and of course Oberon. The action is fast paced, starting almost immediately and not relenting until the last few pages. There’s plenty going on and we have Atticus having skirmishes with his next door neighbour – who reveals a rather surprising side to himself – and the law – who I’m convinced if Atticus carries on the way he is will be on their ‘most wanted list. Again, you can’t help liking Atticus. He’s very old, over 2000 years, but he’s kept in touch with people and the times. He’s basically a nice guy, a little untrusting of course but after that length of time staying alive you build natural defences. What I also like about him is that although he looks, and sometimes talks, like a young man he has a good head on his shoulders – there’s no indecision or immaturity, he knows how to look after himself and his friends – although he does suffer a loss this time around (but no more about that!)
I love the world created by Kevin Hearne. All the supernatural elements just nestling alongside the regular everyday folk (mundanes). It’s witty and again makes lots of really hysterical references – which my favourite this time was Inigo Montoya from the Princess Bride! Plus I really like the writing, it’s too the point, it gives you enough information without massive info dumps and it doesn’t go into too much recapping from the previous story.
All in all I really loved this, equally as much as the first and I will read Hammered soon! The characters are so likable that I can’t wait to return. And, I can’t finish without mentioning Oberon – who is without doubt the most amazing character with the funniest lines.
Definitely recommend this series.
Foundation and Empire by Issac Asimov, group read along part 2
Just posting my answers to this weeks questions to the final group read along hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. Sorry these are late but I’m away at the moment and don’t always have access to wi fi. If you haven’t already read this book this post will contain spoilers.
Okay, here are the questions. And remember, SPOILERS!!!
1. While it didn’t break new ground, Asimov did have a female character who played a major role in this second half of the book. What are your thoughts on how Asimov portrayed Bayta?
I thought Asimov was trying hard to make Bayta equal – and I think he did a pretty good job considering how long ago this book was written. Okay, she wasn’t totally badass – but she was confident in what seemed to be a man’s world, she spoke her mind but on top of all that she kept her personality. I liked her – she brought a different aspect to the story – and lets face it – without her the Mule would have eventually succeeded. I like the way that Asimov gave her such an important role and that the role she actually played was made possible because she was such a likable character. If she had been anything less then the Mule would have treated her the same as he did the others and so her openness and acceptance were what helped her.
2. Now that you know the Mule’s identity, were you surprised or had you figured it out along the way? If you did figure it out, how did that affect your reading of the book?
Well, I would like to act all superior here and say I had it all figured out but I didn’t really! I thought there was something suspicious about the Mule – particularly after he got taken captive by Captain Han Pritchard and then seemed to be trying very hard to convince Toran about the motives of the other ship/crew. It seemed a bit odd – and I think at the back of my mind I’d started to have an inkling that something was rotten in Denmark but, the thing is – I liked the Clown – and so I don’t think I wanted to make that connection. I felt a bit sad that the clown was the mule.
3. In previous posts we discussed the role individuals seemed to have in the unfolding of Seldon’s plan. How do you feel about the issue now that we’ve seen an individual derail Seldon’s plans?
I found Foundation’s failure in a way shocking – but, I think Asimov had already started to steer us away from the feelings we originally felt. All along we were rooting for the Foundation – and wanting it to succeed but at the start of this book you realised just how much it had already changed and I think this somehow made you feel differently. So, I was shocked, but not as disappointed as I thought I would be, in fact I already feel like my allegiances are starting to be tweaked with! Maybe we’re now going to be introduced to the second Foundation. All along, we’ve all said how could Seldon predict and allow for everything! And here we find out that he realised he couldn’t and has in fact got a Plan B.
4. Did it surprise you in the end that the Mule was allowed to get away? Did Asimov make you feel any pity or empathy for the Mule, either as the clown and/or when you discovered he was the Mule?
I don’t think that Bayta and Toran could have stopped the Mule even if they had wanted to – and it seemed to me that they were aware of that themselves. He would simply have dominated their minds. I did feel sorry for him – I’m not saying it makes him right with his actions but I couldn’t help having some sympathy – particularly when he was revealing the weakness in himself – in wanting someone to simply like him for who and what he was. Ironic really that he was going all over the galaxy dominating people’s minds in order to ensure their loyalty but in the end he wanted a true friend. As I mentioned above, I couldn’t help liking the Mule in his role as the clown and so I couldn’t help wanting to still like him.
5. How do you feel this story compared to all the other stories that have made up the two Foundation novels we’ve read?
I liked Foundation very much but I actually preferred the story in Foundation and Empire. I think that is because we got to spend more time getting to know the individuals and the story had more time to develop.
6. What final thoughts do you have about Foundation and Empire?
I think this has been a great choice for a readalong – there’s such a lot taking place it gives you plenty of food for thought – not to mention discussion. And, it’s been really interesting seeing everyone’s different takes so far and how, for example, I might like someone that somebody else really dislikes! Nothing seems cut and dry. Also, I have to hand it to Asimov. Such scope and vision not to mention so many ideas that seem to have been taken up and developed elsewhere. He’s like the founder!
Great choice, thanks Carl.
Candor by Pam Bachorz
Just finished reading Candor by Pam Bachorz.
Candor is the name of a town in Florida where everybody lives perfect lives. There are no raised voices, no graffiti, everybody is polite, the children study hard, they do chores for their parents. Does it sound too good to be true or does it sound a little bit too perfect, too plastic and shiny?
The thing is with Candor – which is a fairly interesting name to have chosen for a place when candor is really not the name of the game – everything is far from what it seems. The whole town is run by one man, and he really is a man on a mission. The underlying tone is really quite sinister – everyone is in fact being brainwashed. Well, everyone except Oscar. Oscar is the main protagonist and the son of the town’s founder. His mum left a long time ago and his brother died in a tragic swimming accident. Oscar has found a way to not become a slave to the constant messages that are fed to the residents through subliminal messages playing within music that is fed out all over town. Not only is Oscar managing to hold his own but he’s also trying to make himself a little cash by helping new kids to escape the town before they lose their identify (for a hefty fee of course). This is a pretty dangerous game to play given that if his father finds out he will be in deep touble – he’ll be taken to the ‘listening room’ where is brain will receive so many subliminal messages that it may well be scrambled permanently.
I think this is a great concept for a book. And this book is is very readable and intriguing. However, I liked it, not loved it. I think to a certain extent the characters don’t help you to love the book. Oscar definitely has his moments where he is not exactly likable (to say the least). He is manipulative, he doesn’t give Nia much of a choice in the actions he takes and look at the outcome! He does redeem himself a little towards the end but he just seems to compound one mistake with another in a quite annoying fashion. On top of that the other characters are, obviously as they’re brainwashed, very flat.
The other thing for me was the fact that throughout I couldn’t help thinking about Stepford Wives and The Body Snatchers – however, I don’t mean that to be too critical – if you look at the target audience they probably wouldn’t make the same comparison after all. And, finally, I think I wanted the book to have a much more sinister feel, I wanted to feel tense whenever Oscar’s father questioned him, I wanted to feel his fear and emotion and I wanted to feel the tension he felt by living in such constant danger of being caught.
But, all that being said, I didn’t really want to be overly critical. This is a good story, it’s quick to read and it has a twisted ending which came as a surprise. Quite bitter sweet.
I would recommend this book – especially if you want a quick read, not too challenging but with a good theme.
