Dresden Files discussion

Having recovered from Changes, I've moved on to Ghost Story. Forgot how much fun this book is, despite the fact that Harry is "dead." Yes, spoilers throughout for following books ahead! Your final warning!

I'm finding it fun to note all the clues that Harry was not dead, that he was not actually a ghost. Some of them include:
Stuart says a sense of life still clings to him, because he's a fresh shade, "especially you" as if he had more of that "sense of life" than other ghosts.
Jack says his body is "not available" - instead of gone, destroyed, etc.
Bob says he isn't normal. There's more to him.
Lea thinks it's unlikely Harry's shade is in town, but doesn't explain what she means (naturally).

I'm not quite halfway, so I'm sure there's more.

Sadly, I found Ghost Story to be pretty boring in comparison to Butcher's other Dresden File's books. It may be that I have gotten use to the fast pace of his other books like Changes and Cold Days. I've re-read just about all of the Dresden Files books, starting at Summer Knight, at least three times except Ghost Story. I just can't see to get into it for a second time.

Yeah, I rather have to agree. Ghost Story was, to me, much slower-paced and had much less of a sense of looming danger, much less of a sense of impending world-shattering catastrophe. IMHO, it's the weakest of the series.

Ghost Story was not my favorite book in the Dresden series, but IMHO anything after Changes would've been a let down. Butcher took Dresden's world and ripped it to pieces, and that ending...wow!

The writing at the end of the big fight in Changes may have been Butcher's best work. God knows it pretty much broke me the first time I read it!

Interesting how people feel about this one. I've found I'm enjoying it more this time around. There are so many references to previous books, and many funny lines. There's also more backstory, but interestingly, there's a reason for the backstory (memory is power for a ghost, so he needs to call them up to power his magic, for example). We learn much more about his time with Justin than ever. And I really enjoyed seeing his first moments of using magic. So, I'd suggest if you're on the fence, to give this one another go.

I just read the scene where Harry takes Sir Stuart's gun as his own and it becomes his staff. I'd completely forgotten this. And it was a powerful scene. His use of memory to power his magic, then understanding the gun as a symbol of authority. Taking the gun as his own, reaching into his magic, the gun transforming into his staff.
In one moment, Harry understands how his magic can work on his current condition, understands the nature of the shades of Chicago, and figures out how he can use both to save Mort.
I think I enjoy rereading these books because scenes like this are simply more - more powerful, more meaningful - when you have the full context.

Matt wrote: "Sadly, I found Ghost Story to be pretty boring in comparison to Butcher's other Dresden File's books. It may be that I have gotten use to the fast pace of his other books like Changes and Cold Days..."

I felt the same way, but I think that was deliberate. The slower pace and lack of action reflects what Harry's going through during most of the story, feeling powerless, back at square one in trying to understand the world around him and how magic works, in addition to what's going on at the moment in terms of bad guys and threats to his city. He has to watch his friends deal with things without him, watch them deal with the aftermath of what he put them through in Changes, and realize that he's unable to do anything to help - until he finally realizes what he can do.

Agreed - it was beyond painful when they switched narrators - but now that the redid it with James Marsters I can see Karyn's point so well - it was a necessary reset on every level

SPOILER ALERT - Thoughts on how Jim Butcher explores a theme in each of his books - in this, the concept of "ghosts." Not only do we see different kinds of spirits, with varying levels of consciousness due to their age and to their own strength of character and sense of purpose; we also see different people who can interact with spirits to varying degrees, like Mort and Father Forthill. We get a little more insight into the relationship between the Fae and the spirit world, through Lea. But even more than that, Harry realizes that when Aristedes is beaten, and his crew ignore him in favor of following Fitz, that the sorcerer has become a ghost while still alive. He's present, but powerless, just like Harry is himself at that moment.

Harry also mentions that the very reputation of the Wardens is something of a ghost - they're too busy fighting the war to maintain much of a presence in Chicago, but most people don't know that, so Butters is able to use it. And Molly, with Lea's help, creates the ghost of a new mad wizard protecting the city - the Rag Lady.

THIS is yet another thing that makes me love Jim Butcher's writing so much, and why I can keep reading and re-reading the entire Dresden Files series so many times. Every time I do, I find another layer that he's put down for us to chew on.

Karyn wrote: "SPOILER ALERT - Thoughts on how Jim Butcher explores a theme in each of his books - in this, the concept of "ghosts." Not only do we see different kinds of spirits, with varying levels of conscious..."

I would definitely agree. Especially in his most recent books, Butcher has become much more adept at adding underlying meaning and themes to his writing. Which is especially impressive considering that the Dresden Files books started as little more than pulp fiction; enjoyable and enthralling, as they were.

I love the way he chooses a theme for one book, and then explores it from every possible angle. He began that, overtly, in Fool Moon with his discussion of different types of werewolves and the varying myths and legends surrounding each. In Blood Rites, he explores the concept of family, introducing new characters who are related to familiar ones, and also playing with the idea of what "family" actually means. It's more subtle in Ghost Story, as is everything else in that book, which is appropriate to Harry's suddenly ephemeral nature and his need to come to terms with it - but Butcher explores what ghosts are, what we think they are, and some things that are ghosts even though we don't think of them that way (as mentioned earlier, like the reputation of the Wardens as an authoritative presence in Chicago.)

I'm having so much trouble getting through this book. I have started it twice and I cannot get past the midway point. I find this so annoying because I love the Dresden Files and I never had this issue with the other books in the series... Could I skip this book and go to the next one or is it necessary for me to finish it before I start the next book?

Fernanda wrote: "I'm having so much trouble getting through this book. I have started it twice and I cannot get past the midway point. I find this so annoying because I love the Dresden Files and I never had this i..."

The end of Ghost Story reveals how we move from this book to the next. You could move on and surmise what happened in the latter part of the book, but there are things that will appear later that you'll be wondering about because it was covered first in Ghost Story.

Heresy to follow... you could skip to the last chapter or two and see if it helps you want to know what led up to it. I know, I know... vile suggestion. But sometimes a person has to do whatever it takes to get past a hurdle, even if it is going around it.

Jeanie wrote: "Fernanda wrote: "I'm having so much trouble getting through this book. I have started it twice and I cannot get past the midway point. I find this so annoying because I love the Dresden Files and I..."

Thank you. I appreciate the advise. I am going to try again. Maybe the 3rd time is the charm.

You could always get the wonderfully narrated audiobook to help you get past this volume. Regardless of how you get there, the books that follow are worth the journey.

Yes, I think that is a good idea. Than you.

Ben Fiore wrote: "You could always get the wonderfully narrated audiobook to help you get past this volume. Regardless of how you get there, the books that follow are worth the journey."

Great advise! I got the audio book and I'm almost finished with the book. Thank you