"Ammonite" by Nicola Griffith (BR)

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Here’s our thread for the Ammonite buddy read, which starts August 15! Please feel free to join whenever you can and go at your own pace. Also, please hide spoilers behind tags and try to mention which page/chapter/completion percentage you’re at so we can all follow along!

[Anna]

Yay, will I finally actually read this instead of repeatedly saying I'll read it soon?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

We think we can, we think we...we hope we can, Oh God, why did we say we could!!

No, no, we think we can, we think we can...

[Ariana]

Ahhhhh! This wasn't on my radar, so I hadn't planned on joining in, but it looks so interesting. And I'm only just starting to get caught up on buddy reads. Ahhhhh!

[Anna]

Do it Ariana!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Yesss, give innnn, start reading one more book, Ariana! It'll be fun!

(I really need to do some charity work in the shoulder angel department, I seem to be doing a lot for the shoulder devil association lately.)

[Ariana]

... and it was checked in at the library. Clearly a sign I should join in.
So what do we think is the upper limit for speeding up the playback on audio books and still being able to process everything?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Lol. The secret for me is to start off not too fast and steadily crank it up. I'm doing Book Thief at 2x speed. I should see if this one's audio, too...

[Gabi]

Looks like I can join as well. I own the book and I'm half through with my current read.

[Gabi]

So, this BR doesn't start today, does it?

[Anna]

I don't know! I know I won't start today, but I could start tomorrow if lots of other people are starting?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

It seems like the majority of us will be starting in a couple days, but if you're ready to go and don't mind a sort of delayed response, don't let that stop you!

[Ashley in Wonderland]

I am ready to start this whenever y’all are. No rush.

[Gabi]

Ready any time.

[Anna]

I'll be ready to start tomorrow or Tuesday.

[Gabi]

I already started, cause I fear otherwise I'll get into problems with my other BRs.

The writing is very enjoyable, I had no problems to dive into the story.
Ch 1
(view spoiler)[ The only mild complaint I had was the use of the abbreviation SEC without explaining it. Other than that I was delighted how oppressive the scenario of traversing the sections was depicted. It enabled me to be right there with Marghe, feel the unease she felt.

Very well done was the slow revelation of one problem after the other: Hiam's assumption that decon won't happen, Kurst in orbit as a possible destroyer, the cummulative toxic properties of the adjuvants and finally Eagan abandoning her post on Jeep and Winnie missing after some mysterious search. Nice buildup of suspense. (hide spoiler)]

[Travis]

I should be able to get a copy by this Friday and will be starting then.

[Anna]

I just read chapter 1, definitely intrigued! I don't usually have trouble deciding on my own, or simply not thinking about it at all, but how do you pronounce Marghe? Like Margue(rite), Marge, Marr-ghey, something else? I've been trying to go for Marg(uerite), but I don't understand why her nickname is spelled in a completely different way. Of all the things to get stuck on!

[Gabi]

:D That's really something to get stuck on :D.
My subconsciousness went for "Margue" as pronounciation.

[Anna]

Margue it is. I think it's because my innate name pronouncing self always defaults to Finnish, and Marghe would sound terrible in Finnish! On to chapter 2.

[Anna]

Chapter 2

(view spoiler)[ I would have liked to see a bit more of the surroundings before Marghe leaves, or hear more about what was in the reports. Now it seems very hurried. Maybe we'll learn about these things on the way. The focus seems to be on the virus and reproduction, which I knew to expect, and less on the planet and its conditions. I want to know where we are! (hide spoiler)]

[Gabi]

Ch2 (view spoiler)[ I have to admit that I liked the cuts in the narrative. It is very condensed this way, that's true, but it didn't bother me, quite the contrary, it drives the story in. BTW, I really like Danner, hopefully she remains so upright. (hide spoiler)]

[Dawn F]

Just bought it from Kindle! I’ll get started on it as soon as I’m done with The Changeling and The Fifth Season. Finally I may be in time to actually join a buddy read XD

[Ashley in Wonderland]

I’ll start later today! So glad y’all are liking it so far!

[Gabi]

Yeah! Chapter 3 had some of the "strange new world" descriptions I'm so looking for in SF novels!

Ch3: (view spoiler)[ When Marghe wakes up to see the spider web that's actually the spider itself my inner natural scientist was jumping for joy. I also loved the remark "the colours did not trigger earth-learned fears" - yup, that's what I love! The feeling to be on a really alien planet.
More mystery is added by Lu Wai recounts of the first deaths and her apparent subterfuge why they can't visit Jink and Oriyest.
I was moved by Marghe's recollection of her mother.
So far I really like the novel. (hide spoiler)]

[Anna]

Gabi, I thought of you when I read that part of chapter 3! :D And I thought of Allison, and have sent her a trigger warning.

I was too tired to read yesterday, but I woke up in the middle of the night and read a couple chapters. I didn't make notes, but I've gotten to what feels like is going to be "the good parts".

[Anthony]

I finally tore myself away from my latest binge of short fiction to start this book, and I’m already very impressed. Chapter 1 is atmospheric, tense, and mysterious. I feel like I’m in the hands of a strong and capable storyteller, and I find Marghe compelling and interesting. Onward!

[Anna]

I've finished chapter 8, and there's some stuff I'm not very good with. I took a break and am cheering myself up with Murderbot. I'm going to continue later, and based on where it left off I think things might move in a new direction very soon, so maybe it'll be less icky for me.

[Gabi]

Chapter 8 indeed is a grim one, it gets easier in the next one.

[Anna]

I did actually continue straight on to chapter 9, because I noticed it (view spoiler)[ was from Danner's POV. (hide spoiler)] Much easier to read, and back on the track I'm interested in!

My problem with chapters 4-8 (or thereabouts) is (view spoiler)[ the setting. From my memory of the blurb, and from the first chapters, I was geared up for scientific exploration, not camping in sweaty animal hides and drinking blood. And the whole getting preggers in a trance thing, ehh. I'm hoping now that Marghe has reached Ollfoss, things will start moving in a more interesting direction again. (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Gabi, re your spoiler for chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ I know, I had a hard time, too. This book was written well before the creation of this agency, but in the States, the SEC is the Securities Exchange Commission, an agency that oversees financial institutions. So I've naturally filled that in as the definition, no other having been presented. They do seem to have increased the scope of their power a bit, though, haven't they? ;-) (hide spoiler)]

I am liking it, though! I like how the mystery's been unfurled and some of the character details we're starting to tease out.

[Anna]

Gabi/Allison, chapter 1, (view spoiler)[ I took it for granted that SEC is something to do with security, but I didn't think about it too much, was expecting it to be explained later. (hide spoiler)]

[Anthony]

I just finished chapter 8. Has anyone here played the PS4 game Horizon Zero Dawn? I wonder whether anyone working on that game had read this book. What links them in my mind is (view spoiler)[ the presence of a “primitive” tribe in a far-future setting. The idea that societies might develop in this manner absent modern technology. And the idea that those societies might dream up all sorts of mythologies to explain their circumstances. (hide spoiler)]

I hesitate to say I’m enjoying the book, because it’s tough going. I’m definitely finding it intriguing, and I think Griffith’s writing has a strong clarity and vividness. I don’t read blurbs so I truly have no notion of what’s to come.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Argh, must read faster! I desperately want to know how this is like Horizon Zero Dawn!

[Anna]

Allison, you'll get to it in a few chapters, don't need to wait until 8!

And no, I haven't played it.

[Anthony]

Allison wrote: "Argh, must read faster! I desperately want to know how this is like Horizon Zero Dawn!"

So you have played it, Allison?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Am still playing! And by playing I mean my spouse does the controller bits and I ask incessant questions about what is over there and can we listen to it.

[Anna]

I looked at a Horizon Zero Dawn trailer and I guess I have to upgrade to PS4 now! I'm still on PS3, because I pretty much stopped playing to be able to read more.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Oh, it's so, so good. Brilliant storytelling.

[Anna]

Well, if I disappear from the group for a few months, you'll know why :D

[Anthony]

Allison wrote: "Oh, it's so, so good. Brilliant storytelling."

Agreeeeed. The manner in which it parcels out information is just devastating and so well crafted. And it just gets better and better and deeper and deeper the more it unfolds.

[Anthony]

I just read chapter 10. (view spoiler)[ I found it quite touching, and the warmth and kindness shown to Marghe was a welcome respite from the grim, brutal adventure she had endured to that point. (hide spoiler)]

Gabi, I know you finished the book. How far along are other folks?

[Anna]

I haven't read since yesterday (chapter 9). I was going to continue tonight, but I started another book accidentally on purpose, and can't put it down.

[Anthony]

Anna wrote: "I haven't read since yesterday (chapter 9). I was going to continue tonight, but I started another book accidentally on purpose, and can't put it down."

“Accidentally on purpose” is a wonderful phrase. What book is it?

[Anna]

I may have started The Calculating Stars a bit early :)

[Gabi]

@Anna/Allison Ch 1 (view spoiler)[ I don't know why I'm always so worked up with abbreviations, but I am *shrug*. But I like Allison's explanation ;) (hide spoiler)]

@Anna reg. spoiler 4-8: I rarely read blurbs, so there was no expectation on my part.

@Anna ch9 (view spoiler)[ I love the Danner POV chapters. Her character came over as very believable and enjoyable for me. (hide spoiler)]

@Anthony ch10: my feeling as well.

Like Anthony said, I finished the book, but I'm still not sure how to rate it (I've seen ppl giving half a star - how is this done?) There were parts I liked very much and others where I expected... more. I'm waiting for others to go along and join in the discussion if this is okay.

[Anthony]

I agree re the Danner POV chapters. A very well-drawn character indeed.

Is anyone else reminded of the plot of Alien/Aliens, etc regarding (view spoiler)[ the Company and its disregard of the human lives of its employees? (hide spoiler)]

[Anthony]

@Gabi I have no issue with you waiting for others to join in the discussion, and can’t imagine anyone else would have an issue.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

*Hurries to read*

[Anthony]

Just finished chapter 12 and (view spoiler)[ while in some ways I found the idea expressed — that it would be possible to be so fully present to your body that you could observe and influence individual cells — to be a beautiful one, there was also something just a little bit...corny? in the way that it was written. (hide spoiler)]

Anyone agree?