TBR Pile Read-A-Long: Masque Of The Red Death Discussion Post #1 [Chapters 1-8]

Hello and WELCOME to MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH FIRST DISCUSSION POST!

Thank you to all who have signed up for our fourth Read-A-Long this year, I hope you guys enjoyed reading Divergent, Delirium and Will Grayson, Will Grayson with us and are having just as much (or more!) fun with Masque Of The Red Death! Today we'll be discussing chapters 1-8 of Masque Of The Red Death by Bethany Griffin!

Before we move on to the discussion questions Rachelia and I would like to remind you that every person participating in the read-a-long is going to get some beautiful Masque of the Red Death bookmarks from Bethany Griffin! How cool is that?! And it's never too late to join us! 

     "Listen," he says. "Every second of my day is filled with something that has to be done. Every second. I didn't take drugs last night, and I didn't pass out behind a gold brocade curtain, and I don't have friends who would leave me at a club. Okay?"

I never kissed anyone. I made a vow to avoid the things that Finn will never experience. 

"What do you want?" he asks in an amused voice. His self-assurance makes him seem older than he looks. I'm guessing that he would be a student at the university, if it were still open.
"Oblivion." It is what I am always looking for.

Now, onto the discussion!

1) Araby says that "if you have enough money, you can forget about death and disease for a few hours". (p.5) Do you see parallels of this privilege in present day? Do we have our own forms of Debauchery Clubs around the world?

2) Why do you think the mask production factory was burnt down? Was it simple "malcontent" as Elliot remarks?

3) Have you read Edgar Allen Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death". How does it compare so far?

4) When trying to convince Araby to join his cause, Elliott calls her "the scientist's tragic daughter" (p.66) Do you think Araby's character is indeed tragic? If so, why? 

5) Araby often talks about suicide (we learn that she even contemplated jumping off the rooftop before). She seems broken and without hope, and often acts like she doesn't care if she lives or dies. Do you think that's really the case? Or is it a desperate call for attention? Is oblivion really what she's looking for? Or maybe she just desperately wants to be noticed and loved? 

6) Now that Araby handed over the blueprints to Elliott, what do you think is going to happen? Do you think she can trust him? 

7) William or Elliott? Have you picked your team yet? :) 

These are all the questions we have for you today! Please leave your answers in the comments below. Feel free to break them apart (1 comment per 1 answer!), or omit the questions you do not feel like answering! I am looking forward to discussing Masque Of The Red Death with you guys! 

Meanwhile, happy reading and remember Discussion Post for CHAPTERS 9-14 will be posted over @Bookish Comforts! 

Discussion Schedule for May: Masque Of The Red Death by Bethany Griffin

*We’ve made sure to end before BEA!

• 5/3: Chapters 1-8(hosted @ Bookish) 

• 5/10: Chapters 9-14 (hosted @ Bookish Comforts) 

• 5/17: Chapters 15-20 (hosted @ Bookish) 

• 5/24: Chapters 21-27 (hosted by @ Bookish Comforts) 

Wrap-up:

• 5/25: Favourite quotes and moments, reflections, review and a place for YOU to link up your review/thoughts! (posted at @ Bookish and @ Bookish Comforts)