The Orphan Master's Son - Part II: The Confessions of Commander Ga (October 2014)

[LindaJ^]

This thread is for discussions of Part II. I'll start off with the below general observation/question.

Part two, for me, was very different from Part one in style. One significant thing for me was the inclusion of the Interrogator as a first person narrator. Did anyone else note a style change and, if so, why do you think the author did that?

[Matthew]

I'm only about a third of the way through Part II, so I'm not sure what I think yet, but if I'd have to guess I'd say that

(view spoiler)[Commander Ga is Kayser Soze. (hide spoiler)]

[LindaJ^]

Matthew wrote: "I'm only about a third of the way through Part II, so I'm not sure what I think yet, but if I'd have to guess I'd say that

[spoilers removed]"

Keep reading and all will become clear, maybe!

[Casceil]

I've been afraid to look at this thread for fear of spoilers, since I still have not finished the book. But the part I discussion is currently focused on what we think of the narrator, and it is hard to discuss that without contrasting Part I and Part II. I'm listening to the audio book, and there are actually different actors for some of the voices in Part II. I found the shift in perspective and style rather puzzling until I kind of "found my feet," but now I am getting close to the end and I am still not sure how to interpret some of the narration. The parts that are from Commander Ga's point of view make sense, and I regard them as real. The parts from the point of view of the interrogator take a little mental sorting. The voice on the loudspeaker tells stories about Sun Moon, and I am not sure what to make of them. Are they what happened? Are they what the state was aware of happening? Over time, a picture seems to come together, but I am never sure of where the edges are.

[Terry]

I actually preferred the combination of voices in part two. I felt that Part I was sold enough storytelling, but the story completely gripped me at a human level only once Part II got underway. It's hard to fully articulate why, but I guess perhaps the voice in the first part seemed almost too polished, too coherent (don't get me wrong, it was still very good). In Part II the writing seemed easier to connect with; more flawed and maybe thereby more real. Or something.

[LindaJ^]

Terry, I ultimately liked Part II better than Part I because it felt more human to me, which I think is what you are saying. But I agree with Casceil about the edges. I would find myself wondering where the broadcast stopped and the "real" story about Commander Ga picked up. I was pretty sure about when the Interrogator was the narrator. I found his story truly tragic.