UB Libraries Book Group discussion

I'm currently on leave from UB so we're going to have a "tag team" approach to this month's selection. I have questions prepared for the book which I'll post, and Kath has graciously agreed to moderate the discussion. Thanks Kath!

I love a quote! Here’s one I just had to share:
“Like museum curators, the librarians were loath to allow anyone to touch anything. It was pretty clear that they felt the whole university would be better off if it weren’t full of students.” :)

Questions!
How would you categorize this novel (historical fiction, steampunk, alternative history, something else or all of the above)? Does a book’s defined category sway your desire to read it (either positively or negatively)?

Thaniel “hears” color in sound. What did you think of this device? What did it add to your understanding of Thaniel?

Considering Mori’s clairvoyance, what role does fate vs. chance play in the book?

What did you think of Grace? Was she likeable or unlikeable? Sympathetic? Prickly? Heroic? Though not a suffragette, nevertheless, was she a feminist? Were the suffragettes feminists?

This is the author’s first novel. Would you read future works by her? Did you like her writing style? (Personally, I would read an entire book about Katsu the octopus!).

I made note of the same quote that you did, Amy! I often have that feeling during summer or over the winter break, which is just ending. I have to remind myself that we wouldn't be needed if not for all those students jamming the campus at other times of the year.

I'll start with the first question. I don't know how I would categorize this. I read a lot of historical fiction and this didn't feel like those, although there were historical aspects. I don't know that I've ever read any steampunk. Is this what they're like?

My overall impression of this was mixed. I liked and admired it, but was confused by much of it, which detracted from my ability to enjoy it. Maybe that's because I am not used to whatever genre this is?

That quote cracked me up; seemed like an old stereotype about not touching things but I can relate in that I do enjoy much easier parking when the students are away.

I found this novel a combo of all the categories and more historically accurate than I realized. I was surprised to find out that the Scotland Yard bombing, the Japanese Village in Knightsbridge and the Gilbert & Sullivan connection there were all true! I found the village interesting and also weird; very like the displays of other cultures at the World’s Fairs (like the Pan Am Expo here). Maybe it was a good way to introduce other cultures but it seemed a little too zoo-like.

I thought that Thaniel’s color/sound thing (synesthesia?) interesting; I felt it enhanced my impression of him and how he felt. It was a good device to bring his feelings to life in a different way.

I did find Mori’s clairvoyance a bit confusing at times especially toward the end; how his memory would falter depending on the future or others intentions (?). Still not entirely clear to me how Mori knew ten years in advance that he should be in London. Seems like neither fate nor chance but that he could somewhat create his own future by directing other people's paths. I like him, though, and never thought him to be a bomber.

I’ll comment on Grace a little later. Back to work for now.
Amy, I would also read a book about Katsu! :)

As to Mori's clairvoyance, that was the source of my confusion. I know Thaniel referred to it, but I was sort of getting it more like time travel.

And the thing about finding the true bomber was even a little confusing to me too. Or maybe it was more like it was not emphasized enough, given that much of the book had suspicion of Mori threaded through it.

I too was confounded by Mori's memory deal and how it would come and go. Did anyone truly understand that? It was unfortunate because I was enjoying the book, but the memory thing became very important towards the end and that's when I got lost.

I feel the same, Ellen, about the bombing not being addressed as much as I expected. And maybe it was more like time travel. I guess I thought the future wasn't necessarily locked down depending on the actions of other people so Mori could only "see" potential futures. But he could also really affect that future by how he led people to make certain choices... I'm confusing myself as I write this.

I thought he couldn't see Grace's bomb because it was attached to Katsu who was programmed to move randomly, right? But then how did he also sabotage the train to bring Matsumoto back to Grace? Still confused but glad nobody died and they all seemed to get a fitting ending.

I'm going to go back to Amy's question about Grace. Did you like her? I wanted to because I liked her independence and her scientific nature but ultimately found her selfish and dangerous; she didn't seem to care about Thaniel but more just about keeping her lab and not having to enter a marriage in a traditional role. I question whether she really ever felt in danger of Mori and using a bombing seemed an overly dangerous way to remove her problem. What are your thoughts?

I did like Grace, though I didn't always agree with her actions. I can see that she seemed selfish, but her role as a woman at that time was so rigid and she was very frustrated by that.

Grace was using Thaniel to provide a cover so she could achieve some freedom, which was available to some degree as a married woman. But I think he was also using her to provide a traditional cover, even though he may not have realized it.

I'm not sure if Grace got into that power struggle with Mori because she cared more for Thaniel than she realized or just because she wanted to best him. Perhaps it was the scientist in her wanting to win out over the scientist/engineer in Mori. What do others think?

I had been thinking about Thaniel marrying Grace to help fund his nephews education but you're right, he was likely using the marriage as a cover of his own (unwittingly or not).

Interesting idea about Grace wanting to best Mori as a scientist; I hadn't considered that but her nature certainly seems competitive.

Anybody else care to pipe in?
Would you read another book by this author?
I think I would; I liked this book even though I thought there were some confusing ideas and an uneven pace. I liked the originality of the premise and really liked Mori as a character.

I enjoyed the book. Most likely due to the fantasy/sci fi bent to the story. I don't find it that fanciful that Mori has premonitions. I've known people who swear to a bit of it. I haven't necessarily verified it personally but with all the unknown about human brains...
I think the author tried to provide a "happy" ending. Thaniel got to be with Mori and Grace got to be with her love. It just took a series of events to make it happen. Were they manipulated by Mori? I don't think entirely. I do believe Mori held no animus toward Grace, he just believed he would be a better partner for Thaniel. I believe he loved Thaniel enough to let Thaniel have what Thaniel wanted. Once Thaniel made the active choice to pick Mori, then I believe Mori might have shifted things so Grace was able to be happy and productive as well.
I believe Grace was a suffragette. In her mode of living if not going out to the streets. In the book I think she ridicules the play acting of being a suffragette that she sees. Not just sitting around and having dinner parties discussing it, but living it. The ladies might have been very serious but she saw their actions as just lip service. The latest cause to involve oneself in. :-)
I think Grace wanted to marry Thaniel to be able to be an independent person. She liked Thaniel and being young, hoped it would blossom into love. Thaniel thought the same I think and wanted to help his sister as well as himself.

I'm not sure if I would read another book by this author. It engaged me and read along quickly. But there are 2 things I find it difficult to forgive in authors: confusing me or boring me. And this author definitely confused me, to the point that I was left frustrated at the end.

Confusion is worse, because I invested by reading the whole book and then was like What?! at the end. If a book is boring, I just stop reading it and don't feel that I invested too much :-)

I have to admit, I felt the same way at the end. It just felt odd the way it was wrapped up. Not sure why it did.
I'm not sure I would read another book either.
I did like the octopus character and the Japanese cultural aspects mentioned. My niece is married to a young man from Japan. He is very much still involved in his culture. There is a Japanese school for their children on Saturdays and they go back to Japan for a month during the summer and attend school there. Apparently that is a common practice.
The references in the book reminded me of Takashi, my "nephew", who I like immensely.

Thanks for your comments, Ellen and Becky. Everyone, feel free to continue this discussion string -- all voices welcome! -- while I remind us of our next selection:

In February, Ellen will be leading our discussion of Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.

Enjoy your weekends, all!