Miévillians discussion

In this section, the party becomes so "magical" that I was almost reminded of Harry Potter's world! XD

I've been ill and busy, so I haven't quite finished to the end of the section, but how about we discuss it two or three chapters at a time, and go with chapter 31 - 34 for now?

There's a rich cast of character groups by now, isn't there?

The thing that really tickled me and also baffled me a bit, was the idea of the angels of memory. Interesting concept, but also quite something to wrap your mind around.

So what do you guys think of all the magical/cultist factions, and of the angels of memory? I wonder why specifically "angels" - to fit in with the religious theme?

Of all the magical/mysterious characters in this book the angels of memory are to most difficult for me to get my head around. Do they have any existence outside of Kraken?

I've been thinking abnout it a good part of the day, and I think the angels of memory are pretty unique. There are personifications of abstract concepts in other fiction (the titular American Gods, for instance), and guardians of history are not anything new, but non-corporeal manifestations of an abstract concept tethered to a place of historical significance? That's pretty wild.

Personally what's really tickling me is all the Star Trek stuff. I know, it's easy and I'm a sucker for eating up, but I guess I'm a sucker. Beaming onself around, a working phaser, and a tribble? That's just cool beans.

As I mentioned, I like that Billy is starting to take charge of his own destiny. He's an intelligent, educated and presumably fairly resourceful person when not thrown straight into the deep end of the pool, so it's nice to see those qualities surface in him again (or is it finally?). Perhaps he was just in shock? :P

So, I'm an unusual nerd. I used to be completely ignorant about anything to do with 'Star Trek', and the little that I learned about it since has been absorbed by cultural osmosis via 'The Big Bang Theory' TV show. So now the whole 'beam me up' phrase will forever have the 'you just got murdered...by your own self!' implications.

After what J. and Ruth said about the angels, I've been thinking that the angels of memory closely resemble ghosts... as in the ghost of memory past.

Nataliya wrote: "you just got murdered...by your own self!
Miles Edward O'Brien: future history's most prolific serial murderer!

in Chronic Citythere is a statement

all memories are replacements ( p388)

perhaps the angels of memory function as guardian angels,guarding our memories from degradation?

memory of sensation replacing sensation?

Nice ideas about the memories/angels, guys! It's one of those concepts that grows in your mind the more you think about it.

actually I've been prompted to go back and find every reference I can in the text, and it seems these memory angels are more like golems,made up from bits of the places they guard.

Really benefited from reread...

Okay, but what would you say animates them? Not the ghosts of memories?

primitive emotional residue?
some kind of loyalty to order?

There are a lot of interesting theories about ghosts - some of which, to me, would fit loosely into the idea of an "angel of memory" which protects memories and relics from the past.

I do love all the pop culture references and all the Star Trekkiness!

..and what on earth could be cooler than a REAL phaser gun that shoots for real!? B) B) B)
No wonder poor old Simon (or one of his hims, anyway) couldn't resist. ;)

Loved the bit of exposition about beaming up. Heheheheheh.
(That might explain all the versions of Spock that we've been seeing in the Star trek films lately.) :D

Next thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hey it is me necroposting again. Aside from the intriguing angels of memory I also found the PCDs and their pursuit of Wati quite exhilarating. And the dogs!

I agree that Billy is more present here. I think he already got passed his grief after sending that magical morse codes so he could now play a more active role and able to partner with Dane.