What did everyone think of the first two chapters?

[Tali]

In speaking with Aaron, it seems the first two chapters were pretty polarizing (Aaron - you can speak more to that) - people either loved 'em or hated 'em. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Tali]

For the record - I didn't have a strong reaction to them. They helped set up the main character for me, which I think is always a good thing.

[Aaron]

Yes. It's true that most of the specific feedback I've received so far suggests that people feel like the first two chapters are setting them up for a different kind of story than what it actually is, while others think the Joshua chapters are the best.
Personally, I feel like I over-edited the first two chapters to death:). The end result for me is that they just aren't as tight as I would like them. I couldn't see straight anymore though, so I eventually had to let it go.

[Jennie]

I really liked the first two chapters. Besides setting up the main character, it helped set the tone in my head. I was more engaged with Aaron's writing style, his use of language, and the way he described things. The way he broke down simple events, like lighting the Zippo. The language was refreshing to me, having just come out of my previous read, the The Mockingjay.

[Alex]

I really enjoyed them as well. I found them to do much more for me than simply setting up the character, as they also provided a brief introduction to the state of humanity when these chapters are taking place.

There was a sense of thought that seemed to be present throughout these opening chapters, almost to where I would read a paragraph over twice hoping to gain a bit more understanding and insight into something, only to have the character point out my exact conclusion at the start of the next paragraph.

I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

[Jennie]

I agree with Alex's second paragraph - I wanted to reread the paragraphs because there always seemed to be more. Looking forward to seeing more of your thoughts as you get further into the book!

[Brendan]

These two chapters thrust me right into the world Aaron created. It is a dark place but one i feel like i am experiencing as i read it. The main character is not someone I am loving as a person but I understand where he is coming from and can get behind the choices he is making.

The feeling of humanity is also something that is coming though very clearly. This is a society I do not want to live in but feel compelled to find more about it at the same time

[Aaron]

I'm happy to find more people who fall on the "like" side:).
The first chapter was a project that I worked on frequently--it was a process for me to wrap my mind around the world and the tone while working on the rough outline of the rest of the story. I came to it again and again to remap my mind to the task. I've been with them for so long, I would be hard pressed to drop them.
On the other hand, if enough readers felt nonplussed or put out by those chapters, I would have to be willing to adapt. I want to write, but ultimately, I need to be read:D...
I can't thank all of you enough for taking the time to not only read, but to share your thoughts. Invaluable.

[Timothy J.]

I'm somewhere in the third or fourth chapter and am still getting my bearings. I really liked the first two chapters, it's a very dark world and it's odd because somehow the main character almost seems...detached? That's in a good way.

It almost reads as a very cold account of everything happening. I kept thinking of "A Scanner Darkly," actually. Maybe that's just from me looking at it on a superficial level (drugs, future, The Man). Where I work, I see my share of drug deals go down it's interesting to have a look into the mind of the customer.

I don't personally do drugs, but the description of the trip and everything leading up to it was convincing, especially the ways the character was exploring the mundanities of his apartment.

Based on the title, I couldn't be sure what was first meant by "coming down." Was he coming down from the Spire, walking down a flight of stairs? Did he work there and he enjoyed his trip home? Very cool way to keep the reader guessing :)