The Shade of the Moon discussion

I read all the books in this series back when they were released but recently (early 2019) got a bee in my bonnet to reread them.

I remembered hating the fourth book when I first read it. This time, I thought it seemed slightly more likable. I'm wondering if any of you are in the same position--hated it originally and maybe feel a bit differently now? Or vice versa?

Previously I thought it was wildly unrealistic that the two social sets would adapt so quickly to their new, rigid social castes. This time I realized, okay, given what the White Birchers had gone through (starvation, loss, terror, instability), it kind of makes sense that they’d meekly accept their new roles, especially given that there seems to be some semblance of security offered to them (a roof over the head, food, guards, availability [albeit limited] of soap and other “luxuries”). As North Korea has shown, nothing keeps an oppressed population in line quite like near-starvation (and crushing brutality, but that’s not really the case in White Birch). I do think that a revolution is inevitable, but only four years after the cataclysm, it’s conceivable that everyone’s memories of the chaos and upheaval of that first year would be enough to keep them in line for now. This time I also realized that, duh, most of the people in Sexton were wealthy and privileged before the disaster, so it makes sense that they adapted so quickly to calling the White Birchers “grubs” and believing they’re sub-human. These were people who likely lived in gated communities, attended elite schools, and already lived a life of segregation. They already felt a sense of entitlement. Their adaption to this new world makes perfect sense. It IS, however, dubious that Jon would adapt so quickly, even calling his own beloved family “grubs.”

Previously I thought Jon had become an asshole rapist. I still think he’s an asshole (despite his redemption arc) and possibly a rapist. I realized he never actually raped Julie (although he sure tried), and there’s no proof one way or another that the “grub girls he had his way with” were forced or submitted willingly out of a desperate need for food/soap. But a would-be rapist is not much better than a rapist, and taking advantage of desperate, needy girls to the point where they are willing to trade sex for soap is terrible. So, yeah, he’s still possibly a rapist and definitely a terrible person, redemption arc be damned.

Previously I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see this new world through Miranda’s lens. But in re-reading book three, I caught something that hadn’t really stuck with me before: she said that she was finishing her journal and would never write in it again, and her story was done. She said it was time for someone else to take up the gauntlet. So, to that end, it does make sense that we wouldn’t get her perspective in book four.

I do still wish the book would’ve started with more of an insight into what happened on the road between PA and TN. We know Mr. Evans died. We know the journey took about a year. Other than that, this epic journey is a blank. How did they stay fed? Where did they shelter? How did they stay safe? (Given that desperate people are always the most dangerous force in post-apocalyptic stories, and given the fact that none of the Evanses had a gun when setting out on the journey.) I think that could have been an interesting story to tell, and it also would’ve been interesting to learn about how they settled into White Birch and Sexton—the culture shock they felt, how they got their jobs, etc.

And I wish we could’ve learned more about New Harmony, how it works, how it stays safe.