A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

[lightreads]

A Desolation Called Peace

4/5. Less complex than the first book, but still compelling. I've read multiple reviews which complain about the structure of this book, which gives away its "twist" in the prologue. I don't think that's the right way to think about this. The book works better when it tells you, up front and plain as day, that it is about collectivity and groupthink and the drive to colonize, and the amazing things that can create and the amazing things it can destroy. And how to subvert that kind of collective will from within and without. It's not about the characters figuring out the plot, it's about the reader knowing the answer (which, let's be real, is very obvious anyway) and watching the ways the characters are or are not equipped to grasp it depending on their relation to the empire. Mind you, I'm not sure Martine quite pulled all of that off, but it was a good effort.

Less complex than the first book, like I said, but more squarely interested in the conflict between Three Seagrass and Mahit, and how Three Seagrass can be both wonderful and terribly indoctrinated into the most poisonous aspects of her culture at the same time. Purity culture tumblr is not going to get this book at all, it having nuance and compassion for everyone and all that.

Also, the women everywhere in these books continue to be great. Including the ones who just randomly get to be fat while being powerful, and it's not a thing, just a fact.

Comments

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[minoanmiss]

*surfas by*
*makes a note of this excellent review*

[readerjane]

I bounced off the first book, and I'm going to try again someday because I see such intriguing reviews, both for it and for this one. I think the claustrophobic aspects (surveillance state, the protagonist being the minority at the heart of colonizer culture) was to difficult for pandemic reading.

[cathexys]

I agree with you that it's not a problem that we get the 'twist' up front, because it's so much less about where we end up in this book than how and why we get there. Also agree that Three Seagrass and Mahit's relationship is getting more interesting and the power imbalance and, as you say, the particular nuances of cultural belief systems and how ideology affects every aspect of our selves is wonderfully played out.

I'm not sure i felt it was less complex, but I need to relisten to make that judgment. With both books, I remember loving them but only when I'm in the middle of it am I overwhelmed by the poetry and the large themes and small moments.

Also "Including the ones who just randomly get to be fat while being powerful" is such a wonderful line. Thanks for that!!!

[cahn]

Yeah, I could see what she was trying to do with those things, and I felt like she didn't quite get there. Primarily because I wasn't convinced by the cultural aspects of empire being thought-through like I was in the first book -- if I had been, the structure would have worked for me a lot better. But she certainly gets points for trying.

But YES FOREVER to the women in these books, especially getting to be powerful and fat :D

[lokifan]

Purity culture tumblr is not going to get this book at all, it having nuance and compassion for everyone and all that.

lmao nooooope

Including the ones who just randomly get to be fat while being powerful, and it's not a thing, just a fact.

That is SO rare, omg.