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Dispatches from Dystopia
Dispatches from Dystopia: Histories of Places Not Yet Forgotten | Kate Brown
11 posts | 1 read | 3 to read
Why are Kazakhstan and Montana the same place? asks one chapter of Kate Browns surprising and unusual journey into the histories of places on the margins, overlooked or erased. It turns out that a ruined mining town in Kazakhstan and Butte, MontanaAmericas largest environmental Superfund sitehave much more in common than one would think thanks to similarities in climate, hucksterism, and the perseverance of their few hardy inhabitants. Taking readers to these and other unlikely locales, Dispatches from Dystopia delves into the very human and sometimes very fraught ways we come to understand a particular place, its people, and its history. In Dispatches from Dystopia, Brown wanders the Chernobyl Zone of Alienation, first on the Internet and then in person, to figure out which versionthe real or the virtualis the actual forgery. She also takes us to the basement of a hotel in Seattle to examine the personal possessions left in storage by Japanese-Americans on their way to internment camps in 1942. In Uman, Ukraine, we hide with Brown in a tree in order to witness the annual male-only Rosh Hashanah celebration of Hasidic Jews. In the Russian southern Urals, she speaks with the citizens of the small city of Kyshtym, where invisible radioactive pollutants have mysteriously blighted lives. Finally, Brown returns home to Elgin, Illinois, in the midwestern industrial rust belt to investigate the rise of rustalgia and the ways her formative experiences have inspired her obsession with modernist wastelands. Dispatches from Dystopia powerfully and movingly narrates the histories of locales that have been silenced, broken, or contaminated. In telling these previously unknown stories, Brown examines the making and unmaking of place, and the lives of the people who remain in the fragile landscapes that are left behind.
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Soubhiville
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Hi Litsy ATX Reader‘s Society folks!
Megan reminded us that our next meeting is due to be during SXSW- March 21st. To avoid downtown insanity, we‘re going to have a time and venue change. See our Slack channel for details and to RSVP. We will have to have RSVP‘s for this one since it‘s by reservation. (If attendance is up we can look at other options.)

March topic: Dystopian 🔥

rubyslippersreads Great logo! 5y
Soubhiville Thanks @rubyslippersreads ! It was created by @alysonwrites ❤️ 5y
alysonimagines @rubyslippersreads Thanks! I had so much fun designing it. 😊 5y
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Tonton Used to go to SXSW quite a bit; bit pricey now. Hopefully will make it next year; I‘d love to see you all! 5y
Soubhiville @Tonton anytime you‘re in Austin we‘d love to have you make a guest appearance at a meeting! We always meet the third Saturday of the month. 5y
Tonton @Soubhiville Thank you! Books and barbecue! 5y
54 likes6 comments
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Avanders
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DHill Speaker for the Dead. ❤️ 7y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk What @DHill said. Love that book with my whole heart. 7y
Avanders @DHill @TobeyTheScavengerMonk ooh now I'm even more excited to read it!! 👏🏽👏🏽 7y
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Avanders @Drnkpnkprincess did you know that I have aspirations to be an author?! Can't believe that story starter - so perfect! 7y
Drnkpnkprincess @Avanders hahaha no! I was torn between that and “draw the story” .... glad I followed my gut! 7y
Avanders @Drnkpnkprincess brilliant! I'm so glad you did too 🤗🤗 7y
123 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Avanders
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🎉💙🖤🎉💙🖤🎉💙🖤🎉💙🖤🎉💙🖤🎉🖤
Yayyayay!!!!!! Thank you soooooo much @Drnkpnkprincess for such an amazing, thoughtful, generous, and fun box!!! I love your explanations in your card, and I love the personal touch on everything! And I'm sooo excited about the books and, really, about everything. And the unicorns!! 🦄💜 A speaker!! Thank you thank you!!😘😘😘

And thank you @Mommamanzi for putting such a fun swap together!! 🖤💙 #dystopianblues

Drnkpnkprincess Yayay!!! I‘m glad you liked it all! I‘m on my way home right now to open mine! I‘ve resisted so I am rewarding myself with opening it before I make dinner 😂😂 7y
Avanders @Drnkpnkprincess yes, loved it!! Thank you again!! Hope you like what I sent! I hope it's a worthy pre-dinner reward 😉 7y
BethM Great box! Speaking of boxes- is #cupidgoespostal an envelope or a box? It used to be an envelope but I don't want to short change my person. 7y
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Avanders @BethM Hey Beth! Cupid is a box or an envelope -- just like ssgp ☺️ I am not sure, but I think all of the "goes postal" swaps (Gloria's) are box/envelope now. ☺️ 7y
Avanders @Drnkpnkprincess also... did you know that keychain is a USB key?! Amazing. 7y
Drnkpnkprincess @Avanders yes! I did!!! I thought it would be a nice surprise.. 😂😂 7y
Avanders @Drnkpnkprincess ? That's awesome. I was like.. "there's something in there...... whaaaa?!" So fun. ? 7y
125 likes7 comments
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Wbabdullah
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@Bookladylinda Stop whatever you‘re doing now and go check your mail! Your #dystopianblues package has been delivered! I shall now wait in complete anticipation until you open it....

Bookladylinda I‘m at work! 😂😂😂😂 7y
Wbabdullah @Bookladylinda Ok I guess it‘s not right to leave work abruptly...I mean it is the means to be able to participate in these sort of swapping ventures. 🤣😂🤣 #willworkforbooks (edited) 7y
Gissy Just post the picture as soon as yo can👍we are all expecting what is in that book.🎉🎊🎉🎊🎈🎈🎈🎈📚📚📚 7y
Gissy Sorry I should say box😳all I'm thinking is about books😂 7y
29 likes4 comments
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Wbabdullah
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@Bookladylinda OMG OMG OMG. Confession: the whole of December and most of January I was in a slump. Fear, grief, and anxiety...but not enough for a full panic attack though I almost got there. @Bookladylinda your #dystopianblues package totally brought me a smile. It‘s amazing how well you shopped when you don‘t really know me! I‘m so happy to be a proud owner of these bookish gems...especially THUG and Dear Fahrenheit451...con‘t 👇🏽

Wbabdullah And I was totally looking for a bookmark last night cuz I‘m one of those scrap paper bookmark girls but these are the exact bookmarks I‘ve wanted! I‘d been eyeing those sprout bookmarks for a while and peeped that peacock Emily Dickinson bookmark here just last week!! Thank you SO much! I‘m a very happy lady today! The world is all sunny and rainbows in comparison to my usual dystopian lens 😍. Thank you thank you thank you!!! 😘 7y
Bookladylinda Yay!!!! I‘m so happy you love it!!! I had a great time shopping for you! And, yes! I stalked you a lot!!!!! 😊😊 😂😘👏🏾 7y
Wbabdullah 😂🤣 I stalked you too @Bookladylinda ! I hope I did a good job of that! Your present is as good (and I think actually better 🤭🤫) than presents I receive from some folks who‘ve known me for years and decades!!! 7y
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Bookladylinda Aww that is the sweetest thing to say! It was important to me to put together a good box for you and I‘m so happy that you love it. I‘m sure I will love the box you sent to me as well! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 7y
CouronneDhiver Yumm - cookies and cream! Great gifts 7y
Wbabdullah I love cookies and cream @CouronneDhiver !! Oreos, Newman O‘s, chocolate chips...yum! @Bookladylinda did a great job, didn‘t she?? Did you participate in #dystopianblues @CouronneDhiver ? 7y
CouronneDhiver I didn‘t... I try not to go too crazy with swaps (2 per year on average)... I‘m participating in the #MyBloodyValentineSwap right now. 😊 7y
Wbabdullah I saw that on your page—this was my first swap ever. I probably won‘t participate in another one this year, and if I do, only one more, because like you said—it can be crazy. It def makes you shop for two...like a pregnant woman overeating and having serious cravings type shopping!! It must be the same hormones at work... @CouronneDhiver 7y
41 likes8 comments
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Wbabdullah
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I couldn‘t wait any longer. It‘s been January 25th on my side of the world for around 7 hours and 45 minutes. From the looks of it, my #dystopianblues partner @Bookladylinda has been researching me and knows my fave color...I‘m totally being spoiled! Is it too early to eat chocolate if one hasn‘t had breakfast??😂

Bookladylinda Never too early for chocolate!!!! (edited) 7y
33 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
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What's better than going to work for trivia night (the best), with awesome people like @MPick (Aaso the best)?

Showing up and finding your #dystopianblues package waiting for you!!!! Woo Hoo! Thanks Megan, can't wait to open it!!!!

@Mommamanzi

MPick Eek! I can‘t wait for the big reveal @TheKidUpstairs ! Can‘t wait for tomorrow! 7y
88 likes1 comment
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Wbabdullah
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It‘s here, it‘s here @Bookladylinda @Mommamanzi !! I can hardly wait for tomorrow to open it!! It feels like it‘s my bday!! I‘m seriously debating whether to wait for 12 o‘clock on the dot or be in solidarity with you and wait for you to receive my package before opening mine!!! 🤔🤭🤗 I‘ll do the latter, cuz that‘s what‘s right!! I‘ll be stalking the tracking number until the ...I‘m so excited! I‘m gonna have to hide it from myself!!

Bookladylinda OMG!!! It‘s there already!!! Wow!!! Yay!!! 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾 7y
Wbabdullah It‘s agonizing me to wait...the temptation is real! @Bookladylinda 7y
Bookladylinda I think you should open at 12:01 - I will be sleeping because I‘m up early but I don‘t want you to wait for me! Just go for it!!! 7y
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Wbabdullah Really?? Really??! oMg—that will totally make my day but I‘ll probably be asleep 😴 too, lol, and drooling!! Checked the tracking number and it is on-time for delivery tomorrow! Says it should be at your home before 8pm! @Bookladylinda 7y
Bookladylinda Okay, sounds good, but I am totally cool with you opening your box when you want. 7y
Wbabdullah You‘re the best!! @Bookladylinda 7y
Mommamanzi Yay!!!!! 7y
31 likes7 comments
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Wbabdullah
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It‘s on its way @Bookladylinda ! It took me a while and I rushed today but it has finally been done! Can u blame me? It‘s my first swap ever!!! So excited and I hope you like your goodies, too!!

Bookladylinda @Wbabdullah I‘m so excited!!!!! 7y
Wbabdullah Yay @Bookladylinda !!! I pray I did well!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 7y
Gissy Enjoy! 👏👏👏👏 7y
23 likes4 comments
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CatLass007
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It‘s here! Thank you, Betty, my #DystopianBlues package is here!

Betty Hurrah. You can open the outside box -- everything inside is wrapped 7y
CatLass007 @Betty okay! Thank you! (edited) 7y
92 likes2 comments
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Wbabdullah
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Hey fellow Littens! One of my main goals of 2018 is to finish writing one of the few stories that tell themselves to me in my head. There is a question I‘ve been asking myself for quite a while now...and I need help! Though I‘m a big reader of dystopia, I have no idea what I‘d bring if my reality turned into the above and I had limited time to leave home. Will you help me out? #dystopianblues Thanks!!

EchoLogical Food and water. 😅 7y
EchoLogical It's completely unoriginal but it's what I'd bring. My husband said: his rucksack filled with alcohol, peroxide, socks, a machete, clothes, his multi-tool and Camel back, gloves, and something to start a fire, a poncho, and cans of food (or MREs) and maybe his sleeping bag. Depending on the weight. 🤣🤣🤣 7y
julesG My beloved sturdy rucksack filled with my Swiss Army knife, a solar charger, my kindle (loaded with survival guides), a few packets of bandaids, gauze/muslin bandages, medical charcoal and ibuprofen, at least one roll of duct tape, several packets of matches, and as much bottled water as I could carry. Plus, several layers of clothes and the best pair of boots I own (by best I mean sturdy yet not too clunky). 7y
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Wbabdullah Wow @EchoLogical And @julesG! Thank you! Some food for thought—I need to check the bug out bags...gonna have to give y‘all a shout out if I 1)finish the book 2)get it published 😍☺️🤣 (edited) 7y
EchoLogical @Wbabdullah Of course my husband had a million questions about the circumstances but I told him to answer in general terms. 😂 7y
Wbabdullah @EchoLogical 🤣😂 I know my main character won‘t really know where she‘s going...so perfect answer! 7y
Bklover Food, books, bug spray, and duct tape. 7y
DebbieGrillo I'm diabetic... So meds for sure. 7y
Velvetfur I would have a ready-packed survival rucksack for just such an occasion, but I would also take sentimental stuff like old family photos and letters/notes from them. 7y
CouronneDhiver A bag with a knife, duct tape, alcohol wipes, water, a tarp and a rope. Should be able to get by... 7y
Wbabdullah @Bklover @DebbieGrillo @Velvetfur @CouronneDhiver wow such great answers! I like where you are going with this! I‘m going to have to add rope, tarp, and duct tape to my list! @Velvetfur I was feeling that sentimental items might be good for sanity...and history...which reminds me, I have a lot of albums to make for my family. Thanks so much for answering my question ladies!! 7y
Velvetfur Aaww you're so cute! You're welcome 👍 7y
SpeculativeFemale I don't think I could list everything we have in our family bug out bags, but some basics include extensive emergency medical supply kits, water containers and filtration with extra filters, solar chargers for devices and independent batteries, reflective emergency blankets, simple rations, bandanas, gloves, hats, breathing masks with extra filters, simple sewing/repair kits, and too much more to fit in the character limit, LOL. 7y
Wbabdullah @SpeculativeFemale thank you! We have family bug out bags too! But I wonder what the average person would just pack up on a whim...the first things that come to mind and all, you know?! We should talk @SpeculativeFemale ! R u on GR? 7y
SpeculativeFemale @Wbabdullah Goodreads? I think I have an account from ages ago, but I never really used it much. 7y
Wbabdullah Yep Goodreads. I‘m just getting reacquainted with my account-I much prefer Litsy! Are you participating in #dystopianblues @SpeculativeFemale ? 7y
SpeculativeFemale @Wbabdullah No, I hadn't heard about it. I might have to check it out, but honestly, I'm in a rereading spell right now while I'm adjusting to a new job. I've been coming home each day a little too brain-fried to read anything new at the moment. 😂 7y
Wbabdullah Aw it‘s ok! Maybe u can catch it next time around—it‘s a swap for dystopian books! Congrats on the new job @SpeculativeFemale ! Enjoy your rereads! 7y
25 likes18 comments