Sunday, October 10, 2010
Boneshaker
I am just trucking on through Boneshaker, but one thing that I have noticed most is a feeling of claustrophobia. Even before they entered the city, I felt trapped in the outskirts and the small world that existed for Zeke and Briar. Then, on the airship, I felt constricted too. But once they got inside the city, I feel smothered. There is constant mention of the smothering mask, and the people exist in the highly sealed, separated air pockets within the city. The entire time, I just feel like I am trapped with no way out. I'm sure Priest has done this on purpose to illustrate how the city feels inside the walls, but it still makes reading a little overwhelming. Does anyone else get this feeling from reading the book?
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4 comments:
I've been getting that feeling as well. I think you've really hit upon it with the masks and the walls and all that. Its very smothering.
I definitely agree, Bailey. Claustrophobic to the max, which I think you're right, is probably what Priest was going for. It gives you a sense of urgency to move on to the next section of the story, then lo and behold, they are thrust into an even darker, more cramped situation. I think it's building tension so when they finally get out (hopefully they do, anyway-i'm not done reading), we'll all feel incredibly relieved.
I agree about the "sense of urgency" point Jordan made. The world is pressing down on our characters, and this means they can't just sit and think. They have to move. I think some stories take too much liberty in the "oh, I can take my time because nothing will change if I don't get where I'm going right now" philosophy. Yes, there needs to be time for thought, conversation, or whatever, but sometimes things are urgent, and I find the urgency I feel in Boneshaker really helps pull me into the story.
Agreed. But I think it's entirely intentional. I think the only reason she even brings up the extended Civil War in the east was to show how incredibly isolated they were. Other countries were participating in the war but their territory in the same country did not even get involved. Plus, Briar and Zeke are isolated as a family because of the catastrophe of the Boneshaker. In other words I think the isolation and claustrophobia are connected.
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