Other Jimness > Cinder Spires Spoilers

Should I feel offended?

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Dina:
Hubby has began reading the book. He is struggling with it because he is irritated for the constant racism against the Aurorans (corrupt, inneficient). As we are Latin Americans and have Spanis inheritage he feels offended when the Spaniards are attacked. I've told him that the book only reflects the English point of view of British against Spain, at least in the Victorian times. So, it's accurate. He feels it is offensive anyway.

I know you are not of Spanish descent, but do you think someone should be offended by a novel written by the point of view of something who hates your country? I actually loved this book but I am wondering if I should have resent its treatment of my people. I am being not patriot enough?

So my question is not about the particulars but about the general idea of "should we be offended when a book speaks poorly of our country, even if it is in the mindset of an enemy country?" What do you think?
I

novaseaker:
Aurorans are supposed to be Spaniards? Please forgive my ignorance, but I had no idea that was the case at all.

I think the Aurorans acquit themselves fairly well, objectively, as the main antagonists of the book. Their officers and leaders are shown to be just as honorable as the Albions (keeping their word, being resistant to needless cruelty, abhorring the very idea of mistreating prisoners). When you do get a POV chapter from the Auroran's perspective, you see that they think of the Albions as complacent, greedy, and decadent. It's just that there are many many more Albion POV characters, who are subjective in their opinions, just like everyone else is.

Dina:
Well, it is never explicitly said in the book, as it is not said that Albion is England, but the echoes of the Spanish Armada are clear for me and there are also many Spanish names (Like "Ciervo").

I agree with your second paragraph. Hubby has not yet arrived to the Landing attack (I don't know if he is going to reach that part. He is really angry with the book right now)

Griffyn612:
Can't control what people are offended by.  Personally, I'd take heart in the fact that the Aurorans we met all resented the mission they were on, and resented the evil woman they were working with.  And the point of view that they provided, that their Spire was struggling while Albion wasn't, is understandable.  It could turn out that they're desperately trying to save their people, and they're willing to harm the few to save the many.  I honestly didn't consider any of them as the 'enemy', other than whats-her-name.

Shecky:
Remember, in every society, the Enemy is always portrayed in a negative light with a broad brush. This continues even today with the world tightly interlinked as it is; the Other is always a bad thing.

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