FM: A major criticism
of the Star Wars saga is that its plot is what can be derogatorily called a
“Space Opera.” It’s been said that Star
Wars is a Western disguised as Science Fiction, that there is really nothing
new here in terms of plot or storyline.
I think that’s a valid argument. Clockwork,
viewed narrowly, is essentially the same old
“bored-country-boy-runs-away-from-home-and-joins-the-circus” cliché. Even if it turns out to be much more than
that – which I think it will – I would have avoided going there. Neil Peart has made it a trademark in his
lyrics of brilliantly turning clichés on their heads: “The point of departure /
Is not to return”. Let’s hope this
happens here!
CJ: I think my greatest fascination with the novel is the melding of all these stories with which we are somewhat familiar and then the turns that take us down another path.
FM: One unusual theme
that gets close attention in this book, usually avoided in literature, is
Anarchy. It’s a controversial, perhaps
poorly understood topic that gets more fairly analyzed here. Much has been made of Ayn Rand’s influence on
Neil Peart, and many dismiss Rand as an Anarchist, which is totally
inaccurate. The Anarchist in this story
may well believe in a total absence of government; it isn’t yet clear. But he is fundamentally opposed to the
“benevolent dictatorship” of the Watchmaker, and is doing what he can to
disrupt the Watchmakers plan, called the “Stability” in this book.
CJ: The foreshadowing of potential mutiny by the Angels kind of has me hanging on the edge of my seat, as well as how young Owenhardy is going to deal with his situation of holding the smoking gun.
CJ: The foreshadowing of potential mutiny by the Angels kind of has me hanging on the edge of my seat, as well as how young Owenhardy is going to deal with his situation of holding the smoking gun.
FM: The
quasi-religious fawning of the townspeople over the giant mechanical
contraptions known as the Clockwork Angels is a nice touch. The “sweet-smelling smoke” that emanated from
hidden vents all around the square seemed to add a lot to the ritual – the
early southwestern American Indians with their peyote could have told us a lot
about that! Our hero, who was mesmerized
by the spectacle (along with the sweet-smelling smoke) is surprised to find
that his love interest had been observing him with a smirk the whole time. Carnies are harder to impress with gimmicky
show-biz ploys than impressionable farm boys!
CJ: Is the Watchmaker going to send him back to his home to live a dull existence with Lavina? Is he going to take the blame for all the Anarchists destruction? Are the Angels going to rebel?
FM: One of my
favorite songs from the album is “Halo Effect”, which is as close to a ballad
as you’ll see from Rush – they aren’t known for their sensitivity! This song is a real beauty, though, exploring
the Unrequited Love theme masterfully:
“It’s shameful to tell / How often I fell / In love with illusions
again”. So Clockwork, still
following the run-away-and-join-the-circus cliché, has our hero falling in love
with the beautiful trapeze artist, proposing to her, and being soundly
rejected. Did this story really need
this segment? I suppose so, and it did
make for a great song. Certain readers
might regard this as the most interesting part of the book – but will those readers
ever pick up a book like this?
CJ: Another item that I overlooked as the foreshadowing was laid out was the Fortune Teller. So the Watchmaker was so intent on becoming a creator that he experimented on his own daughter & left her a side show freak? There was a hint at reproduction not being quite human. I wonder if we will have more revelations pointing to the answer of my first question. Is anyone in this world real?
Next week's Chapters: Chapter 15 up to 22
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