Apex Publications discussion

It would be really easy to say that this is a story about religion as a drug. It is. But it's more than just that. Love is drug. Emotion. Needing to feel something that had been denied to you for so long.

The more I think about this story and everything it could be saying, the more I want to reread it to make sure I'm not reading too much into it, not forcing my own emotions in on Lavie's intent. So I'm going to go do that.

In the mean time, what do you think Lavie is saying in this story? Maybe your thoughts will help my clarify my own.

I would have to agree with you. In the most basic terms this is a story that depicts religion as a drug in a very literal sense. But also this drug is used as a tool to suppress the memories and emotions of these robotnik soldiers to have control over them. And I think in this way it shows how many people in our world can use religion in much the same way. It's a testament that anything can be pervert to fits ones needs.

I also feel this story is a testament to love and how powerful it can be where it can replace something as powerful as any drug or religion if subjected to the right "dosage". As I finished reading this story there was one phrase that resounded in my head... "Love conquers all."

"Love conquers all." The romantic in me wants to agree with you but the cynic believes that he's only replacing one fix with another. What happens when the blush of young love fades? Is he going to go looking for a new addiction?

I found it interesting in the commentary Lavie seemed to be making about how we desire proof of God (or signs of God and being in His light), yet it is withheld from us and drives us batty in the process or pushes us to seek alternatives.

Lavie gets a lot of critical praise, and to me, this is one of his very best. Many layers of meaning, not a word is wasted, and an emotional punch at the end.

And come on, ANY STORY with a leviathan automatically earns a dozen cool points. :)

Good point Lesley... I think that everything we throw ourselves into is a fix of sorts. Isn't love just a surge of chemicals that alters our brain and tells our body and brain how to feel? So how is that different from a drug that essentially does the same thing? I think the question is differnt for each person and which chemicial alteration they choose to indulge in the most. But I do think that perhaps there is more to love than just a chemical surge. That having a physical connection with another living being is much more powerful than any thought or chemical rush could ever be, and maybe this is what makes love so much more powerful. We all have a deep need to not be alone that is ingrained in us since we are born.

Will Molt stay hooked on love once its newness is over and move on to something else? It's really hard to say because this story doesn't go any further, but I do find it has a hopeful sense to it because it seemed that even Molt's own commanding officer Ezekiel said to "Go to her" despite the fact that love with a human is frowned upon within the robotniks. That tells me that even if it doesn't last, perhaps it will be worth the indulgance.

Leviathans are way cool. :)