Section 1 question time! Want more info, want to know what this is about, then go visit The Little Red Reviewer.
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?
I’m a first timer. I had a hard time putting it down at the stopping point and I’m not so confident I will adhere to the schedule. Please don’t hate me! Sometimes I’m bad at controlling myself when I get into a book I’m really enjoying. And what I really like is the setting. Love the Venice-like setting! And the cursing! Oh, the cursing is divine. Yep, I laugh at curse words in print. Obviously, I have no self-control whatsoever.
2. At last count, I found three time lines: Locke 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 had a, “Huh?” moment and I started to wonder if I skipped pages when the time shift happened. I’m okay with it now that I know what’s going on though. In fact, I’m kinda liking it because I get to see what Locke is like at three different stages all at the same time, well, pretty much the same time anyway. I like the interspersed stories that go with each time frame too.
3. Speaking of the world, what do you think of Camorr and Lynch’s world building?
Ooo, so loving it! Yes, I already said that. You don’t see many fantasy books set in a medieval Venice like world and I’m so loving it. There’s something so intriguing about it.
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?
After reading three different versions of Locke so far, I honestly can’t say. Normally, I would read ahead and find out but I’m reading this on my Nook and I find it a real pain to skip ahead so I don’t which is keeping me really annoying because I want to know who Locke turns out to be. I like the code of honor Father Chains follows (thief that he is as well) but I don’t see Locke taking it to heart. He might follow it out of gratitude or honor to Father Chains but I don’t see him being a big believer in it all his life.
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?
I enjoy both and for me it really depends on the author’s ability as to whether or not I enjoy it. With this book, I’m liking all the setup up front. It’s helping me see the world if that makes any sense at all.
6. If you’ve already started attempting to pick the pockets of your family members (or even thought about it!) raise your hand.
Hmm, this hadn’t occurred to me yet. Wonder what’s in my husband’s wallet… 🙂
Just Book Reading 
I must admit I’ve had to learn some self control when reading – mainly because I read when I’m using public transport and people do tend to look at you a bit oddly if you suddenly burst into fits of laughter (sometimes I really can’t help myself though)!
I love the setting – and the era that it seems to be set in and I agree that if the quality of the writing is good it doesn’t matter about the style quite as much.
I did read this some time ago and I suppose the thing is when rereading it’s difficult to remember some of the emotions you originally felt and of course you already know the outcome to events so you can read along quite smugly knowing what will happen. So, I must admit I genuinley can’t remember whether I found the timeline ‘thing’ a bit confusing or not – I’m not finding it so this time but like I said – already been there.
I hope you continue to enjoy.
Lynn 😀
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It’s okay, I laugh at the swearing, too. I’m not really into vulgarities, but the 13 year old in me thinks they’re hilarious, and I let him run wild when I read Locke Lamora.
I’m happy to hear your enjoying it! and isn’t the Venice-esque world awesome? don’t worry about reading ahead, i think we’re all doing that as we have time. Just try not to spoil the surprises! on that note, I’m in agreement that if thieves didn’t have some code of some kind, nothing would ever happen and they’d just rob each other blind every day. . . possibly keeping the rest of us safer?
ahh, *that’s* what it’s called – FRAMING. when you use a flashback around the “now” timeline to set the scene. damn, I wish I’d turned by brain on when I was writing up those questions, as “framing device” sounds so much better than “flashback”, you know?
I understand completely your comment about how all the set up up front lets you see the world. Camorr is a giant city, and I think if we’d just explored the city from behind Locke’s eyes it wouldn’t have worked as well.
Yay for the cursing! 😀 It is so very catchy! I also do a lot of giggling at it – and the banter, oh the banter… Fellow travellers on the morning bus sometimes shoot me weird looks for chuckling and smirking like a maniac over this book.
The first 140 pages are a great beginning and I look forward to continuing. The writing is engaging and it promises to be a fine adventure all around. So far, the changing timelines aren’t detracting from the story for me.
Camorr sounds like an interesting place. I keep finding myself wondering about it – would I live in a place where a lot of travel was by boat? (No.) Does Elderglass stay smooth and shiny forever?
I do prefer, as shown in THE LIES OF LOCK LAMORA, that there be somewhat of a set-up of a world in the beginning of a book, not too much, but just enough to get me settled in for the ride.
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