May Book Study - Beggars in Spain

Hello, and welcome to the SF/F Book Study.

This thread is for discussion of Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress.

***Spoilers*** will be streaking through this thread unpredictably. You have been warned.

If anyone wants to compare to previous book studies:

Ender's Game (August)
Lies of Locke Lamora (September)
A Deepness in the Sky (October)
A Fire in the Deep (November)
Storm Front (December)
I Am Legend (January)
The Onion Girl (February)
Lord of Light (March)
Small Gods (April)

Thank you to Broken Fingers for starting the book study!

Cheers

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Here is the list, compiled by Fingers, of possible discussion topics. Feel free to tackle something off the list or come up with your own points.

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First of all: Did you enjoy the book? Why or why not?
What was your impression of it?

And I’ll list some of the possible things we can discuss:

The Beginning:
- How effective was the opening hook?
- How effective was the first sentence? The first paragraph? The first page? The first chapter?
- When were you pulled into the author’s world? By the end of the first chapter?
- If not, when?
- How do you think this was accomplished? Or why do you think it wasn’t accomplished?
- What would you have done to change it/make it better?
- If you were an editor, what would your reaction be to the first chapter?
- Why do you think the average reader liked it so much?
And more…

The Protagonist:
- What did you like/dislike about the protagonist?
- How did the author introduce the protagonist?
- How did the author get you to become invested in the protagonist?
- What was different about the protagonist as opposed to other protagonists? What was the same? Did the author make the protag distinguishable? If so, how?
- What techniques did the author use to show the protagonist throughout the story?
- What were some of the characteristics the author gave the character and how did they work/not work?

The Characters:
- Did the author make the characters come alive for you?
- How did he/she do this?
- How were they described?
- How were they distinctive?
And more…

The Setting:
- Was the author’s world convincing?
- Did he/she make you feel you were there? How?
- What about the setting did you like? Not like?
- What would you have done differently?
And more….

The Plot/Story:
- Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
- Was it different or similar to other plotlines in the genre? How?
- Was it believable? Predictable?
- Were there any twists, turns or surprises?
- Would you have thought of it? How does it compare to your own plotline of your WIP?
- Did it pull you through or did you have to wade through it?
- How was this done or how do you think it should’ve been done?
- If you were buying stories for a publisher, and this manuscript hit your desk (not knowing what you do now about its sales) would you have bought it or expected it to be successful?
- Why do you think the buying public enjoyed it so much?
- What variations, if any, would you have added to the storyline/plot?
And more…

The Style:
- What did you think of the author’s style of writing? Like it? Hate it?
- How much do you think this had to do with the success of the book, if any?
- What type of POV was used? How effective was it? Would the book have turned out different if the POV were done differently?
- How removed was the author from the story or how intrusive?
And more…

The Structure:
- How did the author unfold the story?
- Were the beginning, middle and end equally strong?
- How effective was the way the author gave you all the information?
Was it straightforward? Suspenseful? Predictable? Surprising?
- Could it have been done another way?
- Was it a linear structure or did the scenes jump around? How did this add/detract from the story or your enjoyment of it?
And more…..

The Theme:
- Was there any? What was it?
- Did you think it had an impact on your enjoyment of the story?
- Was it blatant or subtle?
- Do you think the average reader registered this?
- Do you think it may have affected him/her or contributed in any way to the success of the book?
And more…

Conflict:
- What was the main conflict?
- How was it handled?
- Was it a large part of the story or did the author keep it lying under the surface?
- What other conflicts did the author use in the story and when? (Internal and external.)
- What purpose did they serve?
- Would the story have been as enjoyable with less conflict? More?
- What types of conflict could’ve added to the story? Which conflicts subtracted from the story?
And more…

Dialogue:
- Was it realistic?
- Was it readable?
- How did the author handle ‘tags’?
- Was there a lot of dialogue or a little?
- Were there dialects? Slang? Profanity? Vulgarity?
And more…

The Ending:
- Was it satisfying? Why or why not?
- Did it come as a surprise or did you see it coming from page two?
- Would you have ended it the same?
- Was everything resolved?
- Would you be able to write a sequel?
- Would you buy another book from this author?
And more….
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Finally finished last night.

I really loved the opening. The conflict was there, the story was there, and there was a baseline for later conflicts. Having read Book 1 as the short story form recently, I was impatient to move on but still enjoying the little touches that you pick up on a second read.

For example- the light. This was Leisha's first memory (and Miri's was of stars) and Kress uses it throughout. How the light does this or that. A few other characters later pick up the light theme, but it felt forced and random. I think it should have been reserved for Leisha and maybe Miri. Did anyone else notice this theme? How do you think it played in?

I didn't like the first introduction to Safiri from her POV (I felt like someone smacked me with a NotSubtle stick) but she was better after that. Very determined and very emotional underneath that calm determination.

Miri- at first she annoyed me since she didn't have a lot of strong conflicts yet we were stuck in her head for a good while before things picked up. (Ender's Game this wasn't) She grew on me though and was a natural leader. I like how the Supers had to find a path between doing what's right and not repeating the mistakes of others.

Worldbuilding. Okay, I have little good to say here. Book 1 was perfect for me overall- just a bit of SF elements underlying a social/political/individual story. But then the story goes on and no other genemods have the SLIGHTEST conflict. I mean, come on. Chance to compare and contrast a little, no? Beauty mods aren't getting kicked out of pageants? Srsly? Many of those sleepless had multiple mods, and yet only their sleeplessness was under attack? Sure, people would focus on that, but if they were looking for injustice they would find it everywhere. A growing blanket of hatred, not a narrowing one. Or maybe it would fluctuate depending on events with the Sleepless being a constant for society's resentment.

And though I've not read a lot of SF, the tech elements not related to genemod or internet seemed very random. Translucing windows, hovercar/planes and scooters. No rhyme or reason that I could see, just things thrown in for futuristic effect. I think the flowers added far more to the story than the technical window dressing.

I did like how everything came together at the end, but I was also glad the story was wrapping up and done with The characters (aside from Leisha) were very strong and developed at the end. And Leisha herself at least had real doubts and concerns, even if they were making her a bit flat. I wasn't totally convinced when she decided to defend Safiri, but it did seem right for her character all the same.

Were there a sequel I'd steer clear. I would pick up another of Kress' books though.

Question- Did anyone really understand why the Supers called themselves the Beggars? I couldn't quite sort out the logic there. They were set aside, but were active members of their communities. Aside from Tony, there was indication they'd become beggars. Or was that the point? That tragedy could make them the most viled thing in Sanctuary--one who did not contribute. But why take the title if that's the last thing you want to be? (Worthless or One despised by your group)



And it destroyed the punch of 'we come to you as beggars' which was a very strong line.

Anyone? Anyone?

Surely there's plenty more to discuss!

Ah, yes, I think you nailed it with a lack of a protagonist. On a related note, I kept expecting the mentally challenged Sleepless to take up a role. And the whole amnesia bit didn't jive with me.

Focus was definitely lacking. A few scenes/characters had it (Miri, later on) but the rest was just waiting for more.