Illusive - August BOTM Discussion

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Discuss the book here!

The question to think about is:

Ciere Giba is a thief, and yet she's also the heroine of this book.

What makes a criminal? Is it their actions, or something more? Explain using events from the book.

Feel free to extend the discussion beyond the questions and simply talk about the book as well :D

[Dana]

I loved this book. I was never really bothered by her criminal activities ,what does that say about me I wonder :P

In my opinion she didn't really have a choice in the matter, she was very young and fending for herself and when she finally found a makeshift family they seemed to expect her to pay her way so to speak by participating in crimes.

As she got older I think that she did have a choice in the matter and therefore was more of a true criminal.

[Britney]

I love it when authors align you with a character that you wouldn't usually approve of. Like in The Fantastic Mr Fox you become invested in the fox who is actually stealing and an not an animal you would usually find as the protagonist.

Actually Ciere reminds me of Jack Sparrow from Pirates of Caribbean although she is a criminal or a thief, when it comes down to it she is innately good.

I Really loved this book :D

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

I love both you responses!

@Dana: I agree with the age factor. She definitely had that element of choice later on, making her more of a 'criminal', as such, than when she was younger and it was a matter of survival.

@Britney: I love those kind of books too, and I think that alignment with characters we'd normally disapprove of is an interesting mechanism authors use - and when used correctly, it can have such a great impact. Jack Sparrow is definitely one of those kind of characters <3

[Britney]

@Booknut: Exactly we have been looking at this at uni and its interesting the features of language that can be used without us even realising it and suddenly you have fallen in love with the rebel without a cause. It's all about reader positioning. If we were to read of Ciere in a news paper article or a less emotive text we would be much more inclined to be harsher critics. Authors are just so talented!

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

@Britney: it's so interesting, isn't it? I love learning about little things like this that make languages, & writing, so detailed :)

[Dana]

Thats why i love reading from the villians perspective!