SFF Readalongs led by Kitty G discussion

This is for discussion of Chapter 2 for House of Chains. Please ensure you do NOT post spoilers for any other part of the book! Thank you!

So Karsa is a bad hombre who loves to kill what he thinks of as children. Granted, we can talk about his justifications and debate his culpability in light of bloodoil, but the fact of the matter is - if he stays on his current trajectory, he is going to sow destruction wherever he goes. That leads me to see him as a candidate for service in the House of Chains.

Interestingly, I also kind of identify with Karsa. No. Not genocide. He makes decisions very impulsively. I often do that too. It can be very good to be decisive, but it is less good when you are impulsive or closed minded. Karsa better slow himself down a bit and listen a little more. If he were to take the Myers Briggs personality assessment I bet he would be an ENTJ... Or at least a definite J.

This chapter also got me thinking about Wheel of Time. The Teblor seem really hesitant to learn of their history for fear of the weakness in their past. This reminds me of how devastated the Aiel were to learn their own history from Rhuidean. When a culture gets so bent on a particular idea, anything in their roots that contracts that idea weakens their spirit.

Finally Evan's comment about some earth-shattering story arc that has roots in the book has me seeing potential in every little incident. For example, is the child from the girl that Karsa more or less raped going to be "earth-shattering?"

Finally, I really like Torvald Nom and hope to read more about him soon.

Karsa has an interesting path in this book. First, I just find it fascinating that Erikson would challenge himself to write so much about one single character as opposed to what we're accustomed to, which is following a new character every few pages.

I read that this was born out of a criticism Erikson had heard about the books. He had apparently been called out for being unable to write about just one character. He took that to heart and decided to prove them wrong haha, to great effect I think.

But don't worry, things will open up again soon enough.

As for Karsa himself, I've always been sort of divided on him. Great character, especially as you go on with him, he develops in a very satisfying way. But sometimes he'll effectively undermine certain urgencies in the plot which bug me. There's one scene later in particular that annoys me.

Per my previous comment, I don't know what other hint I could give. I wish I could, its a delicious one. It's right there though, ready to smack you on the forehead with its subtlety.

Evan- I think your comments on Karsa are very well made. He is an interesting character and -like just about everyone in this universe - is neither entirely good or bad. So far anyway

I'm loving Karsa. He's so incredibly 'bad' and yet he's also epic in the fact that he's huge (his horse was, what, 24 hands tall meaning he's probably pretty damn large) he has 4 lungs instead of 2 (pretty helpful) he's a quick healer (his earlier wounds already healing) and finally he's somewhat immune to magic (due to the Otataral armour he seems to be wearing). I'd certainly say that's a pretty epic combination and it seems to bring into perspective just why he seems so eager for revenge and making enemies.

I can totally see how wonderful Erikson is as a character creator with this instalment of the book and if what Evan mentioned is true and it was a response to criticisms I have to say i'm impressed and glad he decided to address them.
Whilst I find the massive scope of the last few books epic and exciting, I think getting down to the nitty-gritty of this character and really getting a firm and exciting feel for him as a character means that I' already so invested in the story and I think that when it does open out I'll be more inclined to sit and read it all.

I'm loving the references we have so far such as the Icarium ones (how he trapped Calm - the Forkrul Assail or Forkassal as they're now known by the Teblor). I think the fact that Icarium managed to trap Calm means that she's maybe not as awesome as she makes out and I think her references to 'peace' is actually referencing a whole load of darkness and death. I wonder what will happen with her, and the thing she said about Karsa being the chosen one (or words to that effect) sounds hugely ominous. Can totally see Karsa doing all the awesome and crazy stuff you've hinted at Evan.

Finally I have to agree with Michael when you said that you thought the Teblor remind you of the Aiel and the way they reacted to seeing their past and their beliefs unravelled. I love that idea and the resentment they have, and I think it's a very interesting thing for Erikson to include.

Oh, and I also agree that Torvald Nom does seem highly likeable and fun to read about, but ultimately it's Karsa whose story has me hooked at the moment.

Overall still really eager to see what comes next :)

My that was one long chapter. I think Erikson's decision to stay with one character, especially a new character is a wise one. We have 2-3 books worth of history built for previous characters and devoting this much time to a new character gives him the same depth at a faster rate.

I love Karsa being a complete barbarian and how he is now separated from all he has known and will have to adapt to people that he meets. We have seen that he is not always hostile towards new creatures and I am interested in who becomes his allies and why.

Wow I agree Alex, That was a stomper of a chapter.

I to am enjoying how this book has started with a microscopic look at the Malazan world for a change. Feels completely different to the previous books.

Was really cool how we followed Karsas story knowing more truths about his world then the character himself. I feel i'm finally at the stage where getting through all the confusion of the first few books is really starting to pay off and I can know focus on the here and now of where the story is at.

Karsa is an interesting character. I Just never no if he is going to kill anyone he meets or they are going to earn his respect. He is definitely a stubborn guy set in principals.

This appears to be set parallel to GOTM going by the comments about the Malazan army outside Pale.

Karsa is just ridiculously over the top and I love it!

Paul wrote: "Karsa is just ridiculously over the top and I love it!"

Oh yep, he's a funny one :D