Book Report #43

What I read from Sept. 7 to Sept. 13: A Closed and Common Orbit, The Secret Commonwealth

The Secret Commonwealth (The Book of Dust #2), by Philip Pullman 🎧

Genre: Fantasy

What’s it about: Lyra has led a mostly quiet life of scholarship since she traveled the multiverse to rescue her childhood friend and uncover the religious conspiracy behind Dust, a mysterious particle that seems attracted to human consciousness. But after her daemon, Pantamalion, witnesses a murder, they are pulled back into the mysteries involving dust and the powerful religious authority attempting to control it. Her investigation leads her to Malcolm Polstead, who as a young boy, rescued Lyra during the great flood, and has watched over her ever since.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Lyra and her daemon is deteriorating as Lyra questions the events of her past and the existence of daemons. When Pan sets off after a vicious argument, Lyra goes after him. She and Malcolm travel across Europe in search of the truth behind Dust and daemons.

Was it good? Yes, but I also keep mulling aspects of the story and its structure in my mind. I think there might be too many interchangeable characters. I think Pullman does a good job of showing nuance in what drives people’s choices, but is still able to matter-of-factly draw the lines of good and evil. He encourages us, and his characters, to question everything, and judge based on people’s actions rather than their appearance or affiliations. But there’s so many ideas he’s working with here - rationalism versus romanticism, the evils of authoritarianism, commentary on the European Refugee Crisis - that it’s hard to follow the driving plot thread. But, it’s still one of the most compelling fantasy books I’ve read all year. I’m hopefully the next book ties it up nicely.

Highlights:

• The new books are darker than the previous series. One thing that I’m struggling with is that both books feature a sexual assault, and I am not sure if I think they are necessary. It is, perhaps, an accurate portrayal of what would happen in these situations. But I found it hard to stomach.

• Also: Malcolm is being set up as Lyra’s love interest, and I am not buying it. One, he is in his 30s and she’s 20, but also it comes on very suddenly. It’s less inspiring than the love that grows between her and Will in the first series.

• I really enjoy seeing the characters at different ages, and I appreciate how Pullman illustrates aging and the mental, emotional and philosophical changes we go through at each stage. As the characters get older, you can see how their perception of self and of time affects their feelings and their relationships.

Check it out.

A Closed and Common Orbit, by Becky Chambers 🎧

Genre: Science fiction

What’s it about: Lovelace used to be a ship’s artificial intelligence, but one day, wakes up in a new, human-like body with no memory of who she was before. She’s disoriented and frustrated by her circumstance, and feels no connection with her physical self. Lovey is taken in by Pepper, a talented engineer, who provides her with the space to learn and grow into the person she’s meant to be.

Was it good? Yes. Though, I have finally realized that I’m not a big fan of the “cozy” genre of fiction. The book alternates between Pepper’s past as a genetically modified slave, and Lovely’s journey toward self-determination. Both are fascinating, from a science fiction perspective, and I appreciate how the author tackles concepts like body dysmorphia and finding purpose in a way that anyone can relate to, but in an interesting new way. That’s what I like best about science fiction. However, there isn’t much of a driving plot, and everything is resolved fairly quickly through communication and thoughtfulness. It’s very nice! But I’m a messy bitch who lives for drama, so I couldn’t help but be a little unsatisfied.

Highlights:

• I love when authors make actual aliens, not just humanoids with green skin or something. Chambers is always willing to go there.

• Pepper’s origin as a slave genetically modified for her work, and her relationship with a different artificial intelligence, was thought provoking. Her journey mirrors Lovey’s, but also emphasizes a real struggle for people: what is our purpose? And if we have no purpose, do we have value?

• As a cisgender person, I can only imagine what it would feel like to not belong in your body. Lovey’s story isn’t merely about accepting the body she’s woken up in, but her work to define her own code and what kind of physical space she wants to occupy. I thought it was a refreshing look at how our physical bodies impact our relationships with ourselves and others.

Check it out.