Discuss Part III ~ The Mechanical Bear. How about Glemot, eh? Feel free to discuss that section of the book here.
11:48 am September 18, 2009
Lazlo
Walter
West Central Illinois
posts 40
2
I was tickled with the philosophical discussion of the natural balance, and the unreasonable veneration of stasis. If only some of our Global-Warming alarmists could read this
The juxtaposition of an idyllic landscape and a warrior culture was very well done. To have the very thing we associate with peace and spirituality being maintained through violence and religiosity caught me off guard, and more than delighted me.
Was wondering if it was the increased O2 levels that let the firestorm at the conclusion of this portion of the book burn what I was picturing to be a lush, vibrant landscape.
Much higher O2 levels and old vegetation from the absurd level of protection. Also, no “breaks” cut in and no large bodies of water.
That wasn't a “normal” nuke, either. That EMP was designed to clear out a massive chunk of space. Silly to have something like that sitting around, don't you think?
9:09 am September 20, 2009
Amber
Moderator
posts 21
4
I'll be the one with the dumb question here – can you please explain again how these technologically savvy navy kids could have thought that the EMP WAS NOT ALSO A NUKE when they knew that an EMP was a byproduct of nukes?
The tribes and their distinct belief systems got a little confusing for me in this chapter b/c I couldn't remember who was on each team so it led me to miss some of the cool parts about the deception. I don't know if that is because I read so many versions of it or what.
The section on the Glemots was the deepest part of the book for me. As they discussed the reasons for the destruction as Glemot was burning, I found myself feeling so deeply saddened. The conflict of feeling like it was inevitable and yet still so cruel and at the same time was done out of a kindness to the rest of the galaxy – it was alot to hold at once. I loved that heavy feeling. To me, it is an accurate reflection of our world and our hardest decisions in it. Complicated.
4:16 pm September 20, 2009
Lisa
Moderator
posts 48
5
Amber said:
The section on the Glemots was the deepest part of the book for me. As they discussed the reasons for the destruction as Glemot was burning, I found myself feeling so deeply saddened. The conflict of feeling like it was inevitable and yet still so cruel and at the same time was done out of a kindness to the rest of the galaxy – it was alot to hold at once. I loved that heavy feeling. To me, it is an accurate reflection of our world and our hardest decisions in it. Complicated.
I'm with Amber here. I was fascinated by the series of events that led to the Glemots developing technology, happily challenged by the philosophical and ethical issues raised, and shocked and deeply saddened by the end result. Actually, I think the image of the Glemot alone on the orbital station while generation upon generation upon generation of humans are born, live out their lives, and die is the most powerful scene in the book for me.
I'll be the one with the dumb question here – can you please explain again how these technologically savvy navy kids could have thought that the EMP WAS NOT ALSO A NUKE when they knew that an EMP was a byproduct of nukes?
The Glemot technology was beyond anything Cole and Molly could have been familiar with. Cole wouldn't have recognized an EMP or a nuke, he just remarked to himself that the thing was indeed impressive-looking. A Navy nuke wouldn't have taken out an entire planet, btw. There might be a story behind why the EMP had such a destructive planet-ending blast…
6:57 pm September 23, 2009
Amber
Moderator
posts 21
7
I hadn't thought about the fact that Earth Nukes would be so much smaller in scale. That's a good point. Plus, just because Cole and Molly are in the navy doesn't mean that they are particularly proficient or knowledgable about weapons.
Thanks for taking the time to answer.
Hugh C. Howey said:
Amber said:
I'll be the one with the dumb question here – can you please explain again how these technologically savvy navy kids could have thought that the EMP WAS NOT ALSO A NUKE when they knew that an EMP was a byproduct of nukes?
The Glemot technology was beyond anything Cole and Molly could have been familiar with. Cole wouldn't have recognized an EMP or a nuke, he just remarked to himself that the thing was indeed impressive-looking. A Navy nuke wouldn't have taken out an entire planet, btw. There might be a story behind why the EMP had such a destructive planet-ending blast…
9:55 pm September 27, 2009
jess
Walter
Carrollton, TX
posts 5
8
I'd love to see Glemot…you know, if it were real and if it didn't go kaboom. I think I'd be just as shocked as Molly was in the aftermath of the explosion. Especially because she felt such a great connection to it and to the people who helped heal her. I would've been just as torn as her because being able to comprehend so much in just a day would've been very overwhelming for me, and possibly anyone else. They seemed to be such loving creatures, but when reading what Cole found out about them and how they handled over-crowding, I can see why it needed to come to an end. Not really, but even just reading a bit, I can sort of understand why.
On another note, I was not expecting the scene that came after the pushing of the button. I was expecting it to be an EMP, but this book has been full of surprises. I was literally in shock that I almost (almost) could not continue because the way Glemot was described as such a beautiful planet, then turned into a flaming heap…it was depressing. I felt her anger, her hurt, her tears. I wanted to hug her. I felt like Cole should have hugged her. I hated him for it. Well, not hated him, but I wanted to yell at him to hug her, to hold her. Something.
I feel the same way every time I read chapter 23. It's my favorite chapter, and editing it was difficult. I know so much more about Molly's life, where she's been and what lies ahead of her, than is contained in the first three books … so it makes reading sections like this one very painful for me.
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