disclosure - this is one of my favorite books, hands down
review & discussion fodder
What preconceptions or ideas did you form as you started the book? How accurate were they? At what point did they start to change?
Are there gender roles in Dust? How are the expressed or sidestepped? How does Mallory fit within the concepts of gender roles, and how does she subvert them?
How does the ability to consume the essence and memories of others effect the shape of a society?
The Jacob's Ladder is the world to those who live on it. A lattice of passageways and habitats, engineering and command, kingdoms and domains. Does the revelation of Jacob's Ladder as a starship change anything? Is there any reason that it cannot be a world? How do the concepts of different things change after so many thousands of years in an 'alien' environment?
Are the Exalt still human? Some of their enhancements are bred and engineered, others implanted. Are the Exalts monsters?
What does necromancy become in a world of fantastical technology? What else could describe Mallory's role/occupation?
In the context of the world, does it make sense to call Dust, Samuel, and the others 'angels'? What about identifying the original cohesive AI and computer system that ran the ship as 'god'? What do you think about
the use of Hebrew names for these man made angels, and the roles they represent?
Dust says he does not believe in prophesy, but does believe in stacking the deck. Does prophesy ever amount to stacking the deck as people try to fit things within its framework?
Dust effectively invades and manipulates Percival's being, pushing her to make the world whole again. Is he a villain? Could he be anything but what he is? Does that matter?
The Exalts have lifetimes measured in centuries, or longer, with bodies biologically and mechanically enhanced. How would you imagine a life within such a framework would change outlook and behaviors? What do you think of the moralities of the Exalt? How does it effect their relationships, both romantic and platonic?
Rein tells Mallory there's no reason for to change from hermaphrodite to woman because she isn't in love with her. Rein and Perceval argue about Perceval's celibacy, an elected biological modification. Is Perceval's celibacy something to be "fixed"? How does the choices that Mallory and Perceval have made regarding their physical and biological sexual forms shape who they are? Would Mallory be different if s/he decided to spent half hir time in the form of one gender or the other instead of her blending of the two? Does Perceval's celibacy change who she is?
A Jacob's ladder is many things, a toy, the ship, and the ladder that angels climb to reach Heaven. "It is the hard path to exaltation." The distinctions of Exalt and Mean are literal, the test and control groups to see how far mankind can elevate itself. What do you think about the original mission?
What do you make of the heavy use of religious framework within the story? Particularly considering the creation of life by man's hand and the man-made world in which they live in.
Perceval says "It is not a gift of freedom to not seize everything that it is in your power to seize." How are the characters in this book free or constrained. Do you see this sentiment reflected in your own life?
One of the themes in the book is love and wanting. Is love more than a mix of chemicals? How does an AI love its Captain? How does the ability to change and constrain your emotions change the idea of love?
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