Ahsoka Part 2

[colls]

Welcome to our second of four check-in and discussion posts for our Book of the Month.

This month’s book is Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston
Chapters 8-15

Ahsoka

1. Did Hoban and the other farmers do the right thing in their two-pronged approach in dealing with the Imperials? What other options do you think they had?

2. Will Ahsoka leave Raada behind entirely? How does the force-sensitive Fardi girl tie in to what's happening now on Raada?

3. How does the destruction of the planet's eco-system, at Raada and other places, seem at all sustainable in the long run to the Empire? (/rhetorical?)

4. How do you think the main confrontation will play out? What would you like to see?




FYI - There's no need to answer all (or any) of the questions above - they're just talking points to get us started. Informal chatter is more than welcome! In-person book clubs often veer off-topic, it's okay if we do as well. :)
All I ask is that you try to avoid spoilers for things past Part II of the book.

Comments

[colls]

As a fan of Ahsoka, Hoban's distrust of her made me want to shake him and say "Listen to her, dammit!" - but I realize he has know way of knowing how valuable her insight could be or whether or not she's trustworthy. Mostly I'm just sad for him because I don't really think the people had any other options that didn't end in bloodshed. Options other than placing their faith in Ahsoka, which I can see why they didn't want to place all their eggs in one basket.

[brokenmnemonic]

1. I think Hoban and the others made an emotional and understandable but stupid choice. They wanted to lash out and hurt the Imperials well before they were ready, and without getting enough intelligence on the movements and strengths of the Imperial forces. They were very lucky that they didn't all get killed - but they also didn't really have anyoen to teach them how to run an effective insurgency, and I don't think they're ready for some of the really had lessons it involves.

2. I think Ahsoka's going to have to leave Raada; I don't think she's going to be able to survive the Imperials actively hunting for a known Jedi on a moon that small. I'm also giving it 50/50 that the Imperials are going to leave the moon incapable of producing enough food to feed its population...

3. I don't think the Imperials are concerned with the long-term survival or Raada's ecosystem at all - I think they view the moon as being insignificant, and are happy to strip it for a short term gain. I suspect the same events are playing out on other worlds, too...

4. My sneaking suspicion is that the Empire will export the population of Raado to be slave labour on other agricultural worlds. I'd like Ahsoka to be able to help the locals to survive a long-drawn-out occupation, but given the number of years before the Battle of Yavin, I just have a voice in my head chanting "Doom! Doom!"

4.

[colls]

*chooses appropriate icon for your last point


I think you're right about the emotional choice Hoban and the other townspeople made - also about it being stupid but understandable.

The Imperials don't seem concerned by the long-term survival of anything. Like... what's the ultimate goal? They have no idea. Also, the politics of the prequels made little sense, so I'm handwaving it on them being kind of cardboard-villains. This isn't the author's fault - this is how Star Wars is in a lot of respects. Which is why I'm so enthralled with Rogue One and Andor and how they actually try to show impact and provide analysis of the hows and whys of it all.

[brokenmnemonic]

It does make you wonder what the Empire stands for other than being in power... presumably, it's a bit like here, where a minority with power are content to see the world burn so long as they continue to gain money and influence.

[colls]

it's a bit like here, where a minority with power are content to see the world burn so long as they continue to gain money and influence.
A chilling thought, isn't it?