corruption

The Subtle Knife

Posted on April 10, 2014

Novel Ideas returns with the first episode of year three, or Season 3, if you prefer. This week we are discussing Philip Pullman’s The Subtle Knife, sequel to The Golden Compass, second book in the “His Dark Materials” trilogy. In this episode we talk about trust, power, corruption, and moral ambiguity. We also touch on trilogy naming conventions, Sir Charles’s creepy vibe, trope subversion, and references to other things we have read and/or podcasted.

This week’s music bump is “Under the Knife” by Kansas because “Mack the Knife” seemed too obvious.

The Subtle Knife – EVIDENTLY

Recommendations:

This book contains excellent world building and interesting characters, as well as adding to the universe of the story rather than rehashing what was popular the first time around. Read it. But first read The Golden Compass.

Gabs: 9/10 I love this damn book.

Ben: 9/10 All of those things.

This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged absolute power corrupts absolutely, agency, anti-religion?, atheism, Atticus!, choice, compassion, corruption, fate, Gabs has a cough, historical context, hubris, Lee Scoresby's death chapter, many sides, moral ambiguity, Mrs. Coulter is scary, naming trilogies, not quite cotagonists, Philip Pullman, references, religion, resourceful characters, shaman things, Sir Charles's creepy vibe, street smart to the max, The Subtle Knife, trope subversion, trust, universe building, weaknesses?.

The Chocolate War

Posted on October 16, 2012

Banned book month (Novel Ideas edition) continues with The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, a YA classic that is one of the perennially most challenged books. This is a tale of corruption, disillusionment, and challenging authority, so you know that it must be a light, happy read. In this episode we talk about all of those things and the inevitable crushing beneath the bootheel of authority, as well as French names, gayness, whether there is too much jacking off in this book, and the disturbing lack of women. If all of this sounds depressing, don’t worry, our wrap up is far less disturbing than the end of the book.

The music bump is “The Creator Has a Mastertape” by Porcupine Tree, not for any specific connection, but rather a general sense of darkness. And the fact that Ben thinks it’s cool.

27 – The Chocolate War – SUBMIT

This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged After the First Death, Archie is a total douche nozzle, boy's book, censorship is stupid, conformity, corruption, dark YA, disillusionment, everyone is greedy and violent, feminism, French names?, Gabs memory, Gabs rage, gay is not an insult, improbable sequel, jacking off, literally digesting a book, mixed metaphors, podcast popularity, Robert Cormier, The Chocolate War, where are all the women at?.