Forget The Dollhouse. Take a Tylenol instead.

There is only one reason why men become addicted to drugs, they are weak men. Only strong men are cured, and they cure themselves.

Martin Fischer

After finishing the reading, I found The Dollhouse to be more of a haunting, sad place then an uplifting and healing one. The only person who seems to not truly mind the environment is the Director. Despite spouting Smiler ideals, I don't really find his character all that trusting and was not sure if I should believe the story he told Liv in regards to the house's creation.

Everyone else in the house, excluding the seemingly insane, are either angry and spiteful or naive and somewhat dull. And they only seem to be staying put because they have fallen into some lull in life and are content not to change their surroundings. Granted some of them truly believe in this "healing" spirit but others admitted they don't think the spirit's or their efforts are making any difference. Even Creedmoor began to fall in pace with this non-living life. But when he opened his eyes and really looked around he felt trapped and wanted to be free (Which, of course he accomplished because he is freaking awesome).

I am sure that not many people can say they outsmarted a spirit, but Creedmoor is one of them. Not only does this being not heal, but it's hunger for pain and sadness and who knows what other horrors can be sated. Of course the spirit wants to protect the house, it has an never ending food supply. I have yet to see any evidence that it is nothing more then a drug that offers temporary relief. Unfortunately, when the pain comes back, it hits even harder as Liv proved by upping the doses of her tonic. Increasing Liv's addictions from one to two drugs. I wonder how she is going to fair without either since Creedmoor kidnapped her. Things could get interesting.

The Dollhouse Heals...Kinda

We made the Gun out of our spite, and Line out of our fear, and this poor thing out of our sorrow.

The House Dolorous or Dollhouse has a spirit protecting it but I find it interesting that this spirit has limits and that it doesn't truly heal.  Liv gets addicted to the healing powers of the spirit and basically everyone there stays because of these healing powers.  It seems like the spirit is more of a drug for the people there.  But the spirit can no doubt protect the people there which is shown when it takes out the Line's flying machine.  I honestly don't know if the spirit is overall strong or weak.  It obviously can protect but it doesn't heal so its power isn't everlasting. 

Finding out Liv's past regarding her mother's death, I feel very bad for her but also find it interesting that she takes on her mother's profession.  She doesn't seem afraid that the same thing might happen to her but that may be what the nerve tonic is for.  Maybe that field of study is all she really knows or she's trying to carry on her mother's legacy.  

ANGELUS. ARCHWAY. ARKLEY. ARSENAL. BARKING. COLLIER HILL. DRYDEN. FOUNTAINHEAD. GEORGIANA. GLORIANA ...

Thirty-eight Engines. Wow. I will admit when I read the Engines telegraph to Lowry I shivered a little bit. The Line irks me a little more then the Gun. These Engines and the beings that possess them really do not have a high regard for humans and see us as a means to an end. Evident by how fast Lowry rose through the ranks. No matter what happened "progress" had to continue and the Engines didn't seem to care about lost lives in the process.

Of course the same could be said for the Gun, but those beings seem more susceptible to suggestions and even insults as Creedmoor has proven over and over. And despite not taking sides at the moment, I am leaning more towards the Gun just because of the Old West feel. The unique names of those involved remind me of those old school John Wayne movies and the more traditional west we are familiar with.

But what I am most curious about right now is the connection (if there really is one) between these gods/demons/beings and those that are considered mentally ill. Maggfrid was terrified of the Engine and William, poor boy, seemed to sense Marmion and even asked about "voices." Makes me wonder about their past and if what happened to them made them more sensitive to the fantastical elements around them.

Our Old West?

The concept with the Guns and the Linesmen becomes more and more intriguing as I keep reading. I really love the concept that's been created with it. The fact that the weapon is the Guns mean of communication to their Masters and the Linesmen using telegraphs to communicate with theirs.

Liv's description of the Engine was really interesting. It seemed more like a large black cloud than anything truly physical which was pretty interesting. What was more so was how intense being on the Engine seemed to be. It was like asking for someone to willingly submit themselves to a giant migraine. The Linesmen who questioned her on the ride made me nervous. While I know Lowry was still in Kloan, I couldn't help but wonder if it was him on the Engine (even though I know it wasn't).

Creedmore is pretty tricky, which is understandable given his profession. I was surprised that the Spirit didn't take him out, but that it accepted William as the Agent instead. It makes me wonder what the Guns have in store for the Spirit when they need to kill it, as well as what will happen to the general.

So far, this is making me think Old West of our own history, and how progression from the east kept coming on out. Given that I wasn't even alive when the Old West was formed and and such, it makes me wonder what the people thought of the times, you know? Such as...how uncivilized did the people in the East consider the West? I know there were wars with the different Indian tribes as people wanted to claim more land. I wonder if the author took this into consideration as a sort of basis for his world.

I'm on to Book 2 now, and am very interested to see what is going to happen with the General and Liv and Creedmore and Lowry!

Taking Sides: I'm Switzerland

So I mentioned in our Facebook group that this book reminded me of American Gods by Neil Gaiman though Gilman's concept is on a different level.  American Gods is about how Gods of other countries came to America with all the immigration.  But what I love about Gilman's concept is that the gods take physical form.  The Engines can take form and can even be killed temporarily.  The Guns are connected to an actual weapon which is shown when Creedmoor throws his gun to the ground and Marmion shrieks out.  I'm not 100% sure if the Engines and the Guns are gods but at least for now that is how they are portrayed in my opinion.

The side of the war that is not lead by gods (that we know of so far) is the Republic.  I'm glad we found out more about them in this section of reading. I think this is the group that we're supposed to identify with.  They were a people that believed in democracy and justice; they seem like they were just normal, everyday people.

So who's side am I on?  Right now, I'm claiming Switzerland, that is if the Engines haven't take over it yet.  I feel for the Republic but they don't really have anyone representing them right now so my feelings for them only go so far.  Of course the Engines I despise.  I have to admit that Creedmoor is pretty awesome.  The fight scene in Kloan kicked butt.  I'm still on the fence and I can't see what Book 2 brings.

P.S. Sorry, I had to throw in a Twilight reference.  The next movie will be coming out soon. :)