LitsySciFiBookClun

Discuss is now open for our December selection, Starter Villian by John Scalzi. Here are a few questions to get us started. Feel free to discuss anything. #LitsySciFiBookClun #LSFBC

@Larkken @Deblovestoread @bnp @ravenlee @Johanna414 @BookmarkTavern @julesG @sebrittainclark @BookBelle84 @Readergrrl @CSeydel @Roary47

TheSpineView @Books_et_al @Lizpixie @Ruthiella @PaperbackPirate @PageShifter @kwmg40 @majkia @AuthorCjwhitcomb @Bookwomble @wanderinglynn @MerlinTheSlightlyAwkward @Klou @RamsFan1963 @BookwormAHN 4mo

TheSpineView @LeticiaToraci @CatLass007 @AmandaBlaze @psalva @Karisimo @bethm 4mo

Ruthiella 1. I think the there were a few take aways from this book. For me, one was that there‘s not much difference between a “villainous” corporation and a legitimate one (just ninjas😂). 2. Any book which has a focus on animal welfare and rights gives me pause. As humans who know better, we could be so much more humane. 3. Charlie was a good Everyman to give the reader perspective on the fantastical situations. 4mo

See All 19 Comments

majkia I throughly enjoyed this. I do love Scalzi humor and his imagination. And yeah, Villian can be interpreted many ways. I loved that the dead uncle was undermining his supposed partners in crime. I enjoyed the ending, not to mention the cats and the dolphins!

Not looking for any deep meanings, just a fun book. 4mo

AmandaBlaze I still have to finish the book, but I think it was more on the light and humorous side rather than thought-provoking. It does give some insight in the soulless nature of mega million corporations. I enjoyed the tech side of the book. On one hand, sentient cats are really cool, but would you really want to know what they thought of you? I think Charlie worked well as the main character. He was kind of a blank slate when it came to work ethic. 4mo

RamsFan1963 I enjoyed this much more than his last novel, The Kaiju Preservation Society, because the humor was less sarcastic, less of a punchline delivery feeling. The humor felt more organic here, as arising from the situation. Charlie is the perfect combination of befuddle and competent, he was the reader, we learned as he did, but he wasn't a buffoon to be used for pure comic relief. 4mo

kwmg40 I loved this novel, and I agree with @RamsFan1963 about the differences between this one and KPS. I did find the novel thought-provoking, with Scalzi's satirical digs at corporations and the uneven distribution of wealth in the world. The characters were what I loved the most -- especially the dolphins! 4mo

BookmarkTavern 1. Diversity in thought is important, even on a villainous level. More seriously, the power of collective bargaining and the importance of communication! 2. The hope that, even in the real world, those who hoard wealth will eventually bring about their own downfall. 3. I think he was completely integral. Anybody less genuine or thoughtful would have rung hollow. 4mo

BookmarkTavern Also! I totally agree with @majkia and @kwmg40 that the dolphins were among the best part. 💖 4mo

BethM My hold just came in so I‘ll hop back to this post in a week or two! 4mo

Larkken @BookmarkTavern @majkia @kwmg40 i want a follow up from the dolphin pov 😆 4mo

Larkken I found this one easy and fun to read but nothing groundbreaking… scalzi‘s Everyman-who-is-somehow-a-savant thing might get old for me if he does it in the next book. I think he could have made Charlie a bit more of a lovable idiot who would do anything for his cats but was totally lost at sea among the villains 🦹‍♂️ but! It fit right in with my current spree of spy books and I was very sucked in to the plot! 4mo

wanderinglynn I also agree that Charlie is an Everyman protagonist. Not stupid but ignorant at first. But he learns. This book was fantastic! And I love Scalzi‘s humor. I agree with @RamsFan1963 that the humor in this book was more organic, less in-your-face. The hyper-intelligent cats were my favorite, proving that they really do rule the world. 🐈‍⬛ 4mo

RamsFan1963 @Larkken Have you read any of Scalzi's Old Man's War series? Characters who seem more prepared (hyper competent?) than others, even in a new situation, is a common archetype in his books. His heroes seem to roll with the punches much better than you or I would. Some might find that annoying, but I like it in the MC 4mo

julesG I can only add that I liked this book better than KPS, probably because Charlie is an Everyman. I liked the different look at villains and enjoyed the humour. I wasn't looking for any deeper meaning. If you enjoy looking at villains from a different POV I can recommend

Hench

4mo

TheSpineView @julesG I liked the humor too and that is why I enjoyed. Didn't worry any over some deep message even knowing there was one. 4mo

Ruthiella Agree with everyone that the potty mouthed dolphins were a real highlight! 😂 4mo

BookwormAHN Okay so first off I finished this book with my cat, Druzy in my lap, so more treats for her, just in case 😸 I think the message was about not taking animals for granted. But mostly I just enjoyed the ride. 4mo

LeticiaToraci I read it, so much fun. Not every Scalzi works for me but this one was five stars! 4mo

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