Dread Nation Buddy Read Update #2

When Maria and I started the endeavor, she told me that sometimes she is a slower reader.  I read pretty fast so I was pacing myself and reading other stuff along the way.  Well, imagine my surprise when Maria told me she finished this past weekend.  Now don't worry, we still have a few more updates for you guys but I guess I could say my leading Maria into the dark side (at least for this book) was a success!

So here are some more of our thoughts and questions and make sure you hop over to Maria's blog HERE to see what I asked her!

WARNING:  This may contain SPOILERS so if you have't read the book and plan to, you might want to skip this post.

Maria:  I was struck by the fact that Jane's mom made it a point to buy up the "worst of the worst" of slaves, so as to give them a second chance on her own plantation. She would also buy up families, so that they wouldn't be separated. I really admired that about her, and was surprised that a white woman of that time would be so compassionate. What did you think of this, especially in light of a later revelation about her

Barb:  I am not sure Jane's Mom was "sold" on this whole idea of slavery.  I think it's great that she was willing to give people second chances and I personally think that by having Jane is her life, she was able to be more empathetic toward other slaves.  Of course, we can also assume she probably wasn't TOO prejudice because she did sleep with Jane's father.

Maria:  I couldn't stand Rachel, a former slave, when I read about her in Chapter 11. She hated Rachel's mother, saying that "...the missus weren't no lady afore she married the major......" and "She ain't nothing but rabble, she ain't got no class...." She also complained that Jane's mother "....wasn't doing things right. Not enough whippings, not enough discipline, too many Negroes forgetting their place." I found this woman to be such a HUGE contrast to Auntie Aggie, and the other aunties!

Barb:  This book definitely does not have a shortage of despicable people!

Maria:  Jane dreamed about Rachel the night before the fateful dinner at the mayor's house, and she thus felt this was a bad omen. Do you agree, or do you think this was just a coincidence?

Barb:  I really don't think it was an omen but I know in that day, a lot of faith was put in omens and prophecies and I think because Jane was not well accepted, she hung on to her beliefs that much more stronger.  I can fully understand why Jane felt it was an omen.  We can often find things that aren't there if we look for them hard enough.

Maria:  I think that the ongoing contrast between the ideologies of the Survivalists and the Egalitarians echoes the conflicts between the Republicans and the Democrats in our own time. So I feel the author was using this as a commentary on the differences between the two parties regarding bigotry and racial discrimination. Do you think this was intentional on her part?

Barb: Oh I definitely think this was intentional.  Follow her on Twitter - she doesn't keep her feelings  hidden much.  I think the whole book has mirrored a lot of what is going on in the world today.  However, I really do try to keep Politics out of it because I prefer reading for enjoyment :)  That being said, I think Ireland really hit in the right time to publish "Dread Nation."

Maria:  How ironic and HORRIBLE that Jane actually saved Miss Anderson's life, and that woman was not at all grateful! And Mayor Carr said that, although the Preston girls had again saved lives, he wished "they were a bit more discreet in their work." DISGUSTING. How could people behave like this in such a situation? If Jane hadn't acted as quickly as she did, Miss A would have been history! (Not that I would have minded much, lol.)

Barb:  She should have let her die.  (This is coming from the person who has no problems with characters dying in books).

Maria:  My question about the letters was answered in Chapter 16. I can't BELIEVE what an absolutely DESPICABLE person Miss Anderson is! But I was surprised that she returned the letters to Jane. I wonder why she didn't destroy them. That's what I would have expected a horrible, mean person like her to do. Why do you think she didn't destroy do that?

Barb:  Clearly Miss Anderson enjoys being a terrible person and what fun would it be if Jane never found out what she had done.  If she had destroyed them, she would have lost the pleasure she received from hurting Jane so much.

Maria:  What did you think when you read about Jackson's reaction as soon as they all got to Summerland? His escape attempt was immediately stopped by the sheriff's goons. I thought it was interesting that Jane had a calmer, more rational reaction. Do you think this is a contrast in male vs. female behavior in this type of circumstance, or instead, a contrast between two temperaments -- one cool, and the other impulsive?

Barb: I don't know that I really thought about it being a male or female thing.  I think we have seen how impulsive Jackson has been the entire book thus far so his actions were completely in character.  Jane has always been the more pensive, methodical one.

Maria:  What did you think of Jane's reaction to Katherine's disgust at the implication that they might have to work in "a house of ill repute"? This incident had some humor in it, despite the terrible situation Jane and Kate were in.

Barb:  I think Jane knew her reaction would get a rise from Katherine.  Also, given how Katherine was brought up, her reaction is certainly understandable.

So I hope you enjoyed reading our thoughts.  I should be finished with this book as you read this and I can't wait to hear how it ends.  Stormi has eluded all along that it sets up a sequel and now we know there is one.  Wonder what happens????