Lies of Locke Lamora read along, part ONE

Posted by: Redhead on: March 10, 2012

• In: read along | Scott Lynch
• 54 Comments

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to our first weekend discussion of The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. As resident cat herder for this first section, I got to come up with the discussion starters. This discussion covers from the beginning of the book through the Interlude entitled “Locke Stays for Dinner”, as per the reading schedule. We’ve just met our characters, and we’re getting to know the island nation of Camorr – run by  a Duke, but really run by the criminal underground, if you get my drift.  We’re just beginning to get an inkling of what’s going on, and it’s already a wild ride!

participating? awesome!  Leave a link in the comments to your discussion post in your blog so everyone else can find you. In fact, as the weekend progresses and more posts come up, I’ll be adding links to the bottom of this post. So check back again, and see what new discussions have gone up!  while you’re at it, check out Scott Lynch’s live journal, for additional fun tidbits.  Cuz he’s just nice like that.

not participating, but want to join in on the fun? Just say so in the comments, and I’ll ad you to the sooper seekrit list of goodies.

on twitter?  use #lynchmob (until we offend someone, that is).

Here are this week’s discussion starters:

1. If this is your first time reading The Lies of Locke Lamora, what do you think of it so far?  If this is a re-read for you, how does the book stand up to rereading?

2. At last count, I found three time lines:  Locke as as a 20-something adult, Locke meeting Father Chains for the first time, and Locke as a younger child in Shades Hill. How are you doing with the Flashback within a flashback style of introducing characters and the world?

3. Speaking of the world, what do you think of Camorr and Lynch’s world building?

4. Father Chains and the death offering. . .  quite the code of honor for thieves, isn’t it? What kind of person do you think Chains is going to mold Locke into?

5. It’s been a while since I read this, and I’d forgotten how much of the beginning of the book is pure set up, for the characters, the plot, and the world. Generally speaking, do you prefer  set up and world building done this way, or do you prefer to be thrown into the deep end with what’s happening?

6. If you’ve already started attempting to pick the pockets of your family members (or even thought about it!) raise your hand.

my answers after the jump!

check out other discussions here:

Nashville Book Worm
Dark Cargo
Rose’s Thingamajig
Felix Pearce
Books Without any Pictures
Lynn’s Book Blog
Geeky Daddy
Scruffy Fiction
Vilutheril Reviews
Booky Pony
Tethyan Books
Paperless Reading
Beware of the Froggies
John Ayliff
My Awful Reviews
Just Book Reading
Kaitharshayr’s Musings
All I Am – A Redhead
Realbooks4ever
Coffee, Cookies and Chili Peppers
Travels through Iest
Logan K Stewart
Hugo Endurance Project
Lisa Pizza
Dark Cargo Explorer
Genkinahito’s Blog
SF Signal
Musings of a Bibliophile
the Bente way of Life

Updates to the Theory of Everything **NEW! ***

1. If this is your first time reading The Lies of Locke Lamora, what do you think of it so far?  If this is a re-read for you, how does the book stand up to rereading?

This is the umpteenth time I’ve read this book, it’s one of my comfort reads. yeah, totally twisted, I know.  How does it stand up to rereading? still pretty damn brilliantly. I know what’s coming, so while I’m giggling with anticipation I’m enjoying all the dialog and world building. And I’m picking up on some foreshadowing that I swear I missed last time.

2. At last count, I found three time lines:  Locke as as a 20-something adult, Locke meeting Father Chains for the first time, and Locke as a younger child in Shades Hill. How are you doing with the Flashback within a flashback style of introducing characters and the world?

I remember being really confused the first time I read it, not quite sure what was happening when. But now I know what’s going on, the different time lines are no problem. I can even imagine Locke’s eyes getting all big when he’s meeting Father Chains. little kid Locke thinks he’s all smart and clever and shit (and he is), but Chains is on a whole ‘nother level.
3. Speaking of the world, what do you think of Camorr and Lynch’s world building?

Absolutely love it. Instead of telling us about the islands of Camorr like he’s just listing facts, Lynch shows us the islands, often through describing the people who live there and what they do during the days and nights.  Each area has it’s own personality, like any large city, there are different neighborhoods that have their own flavor. Sure, the world building gets a little involved, but it’s all to a good purpose.  Cuz damnit, i can see those islands and bridges and towers and such.
4. Father Chains and the death offering. . .  quite the code of honor for thieves, isn’t it? What kind of person do you think Chains is going to mold Locke into? 

I’m a cheater, I know exactly  what kind of person Chains is going to mold Locke into.  I’ve always appreciated that right away, Lynch gives us a class of thieves that has a code of honor.  Yes, they do make their living by stealing, but nearly everything they do has a reason, there is a ritual to it.  Priests of the thirteenth indeed.  Locke is going to grow up knowing what’s important.
5. It’s been a while since I read this, and I’d forgotten how much of the beginning of the book is pure set up, for the characters, the plot, and the world. Generally speaking, do you prefer  set up and world building done this way, or do you prefer to be thrown into the deep end with what’s happening?

When authors throw me in into the deep end, sometimes I have a tough time getting my bearings. I like it better this way, with the bulk of the set up right at the beginning. It might feel like we’re being thrown into the “game” with Don Salvara, but trust me, we’re not, really.  I’m actually a bit jealous of those of you who are reading this for the first time, you probably feel like you are getting thrown in at the deep end!
6. If you’ve already started attempting to pick the pockets of your family members (or even thought about it!) raise your hand.

I haven’t tried to pick pocket my husband, yet. But my mind is darker and even crasser than usual.

Ready for the next section already?  be warned, there is torture. it is dark, and it is graphic.  Folks, it’s called dark fantasy for a reason.

Tags: dark, fantasy, Locke Lamora, read-along, thieves