Cion Blog # 4

I find that these two chapters are very weird. Something about them is just different than the rest of the book. But when I say that they were weird, I don’t mean that in a bad way. The way that Orpah was so into “Ruth’s African” was very odd. She went from not liking him to almost in some aspects being in love. I find that Orpah is very odd, between her drawings, the stories that she tells her dad and the way that she pouts, is very childish and I find it to be somewhat annoying that she would act this way. I also think that the way Toloki behaves to be something that if he acted this way today he would be picked on a lot for. He does not hunt, he loves to sew and would rather spend time talking then he would doing ‘manly things’. The way that everyone is acting in these two chapters is very childish and seems like they all forgot that they were adults.

Chapters 7 and 8

This chapter cleared up a lot of my questions, but the number one being: What sort of scandalous activities might Mr. Quigley and Orpah engage in the after hours of the night? The way Toloki describes the events lead me to believe that there is role playing incest between the father and daughter. If so how could the community of Kivlert knowingly accept the atrocious actions. However, it turns out that the father is essentially entertaining Orpah by dressing up in costumes and remembering forgotten stories and tales of the Abyssinian queen and their lineage. Pheww. I think it's really cool how Orpah had a chance to perform at a Bluegrass Festival, and her dedication to the sitar welcomed other musicians to join her onstage and improvise a song that resulted in approval by the entire audience. Obed has come to fancy Beth Eddy and is persistent on establishing a casino that he even goes to Connecticut to talk to a man about starting a casino. Toloki takes up quilting and begins to become skillful, but tensions at the house arise after he sleeps with Orpah that he ends up living in an RV in the parking lot of the Center. I think it's funny how everyone treats his moving out like he's going to be far away when he's really only a few minutes away from where the Quigley's live. Everyone secretly misses Toloki moving out that the children at least constantly visit him. Ruth and Mahlon feel like Toloki was devil sent and took away their children.

Chapter 5 and 6

These chapters shed some light on several things that I had been wondering about earlier in the book. In these chapters, you begin to see some negative characteristics to characters like Ruth, who treats Orpah terribly. Also, Mda gets into the topic of slavery a little deeper by talking about white slavery and enhanced breeding methods that were used on the women.

I really enjoyed chapter 5. I felt that the conversation's that were going on about the different relationships between the characters got very interesting. At the beginning of chapter 5, I thought that it was a little slow, but after Ruth started getting mad at Oprah for her art, I really got involved in the reading. I agreed that Ruth was being unreasonable throughout this chapter, it made me change my mind about Ruth. Usually I felt Ruth was a really reasonable woman and treated everyone fairly, but after this chapter Ruth seems to me to just be self centered and not very considerate of Oprah's feelings in particular.

Chapters 5 and 6

these two chapters where really interesting to me. It allowed the reader to get more in depth on the Quigly family and to see ruth and oprahs problems. Some of the things mentioned in this chapter were kind of weird and disturbing. It was cool to learn that oprah does art in spare time and it sad that her mother does not agree with it. The reader gets to learn about the community center and how the family functions on a daily basis. In chapter 6 it flashes to when The quigly in the old days lived. He was an irishman who came to america on a boat. When we got here he was very sneaky and tried to make money as much as possible by selling women and fake potions. He had to pay the price though when he became a slave on the Fairfeild farm. The chapter ends with him making a life for himself in kilvert.

Chapter 5 and 6

Chapters 5 and 6 are helping the book come together and start to answer questions that I've had. Ruth's story never matched up with Obed's or his with hers, but the mourning of the first Quigley helped straighten out a few kinks. I did not expect to read about Orpah's and Mahlon's midnight adventures through the discovery of Toloki while playing with himself behind bushes. I feel that answers are yet to be given about how the community feels about their games. I thought it was interesting to read how the first Quigley goes from slave owner to slave. However, I thought the twist came when he met up with Abednego and together tracked Tobias. These two chapters were the most un-expecting.

chap 5&6

I think that it is interestng how ruth seems to not be satidfied with her children. she is eithe mad at orpah for not carrying on the traditional quilt designs or mad at obed for his wrongdoings. i think that its harder for people that are in their position to be satisfied. Their whole life they have seemed to be looked down apon. when i was a kid and young adult i was never looked down apon. i think that their cultrue is different than ours though. i still am having a hard time fallowing this book. it jumps around alot and i still dont like it very much.

Chapters 5&6

I found Chapters 5 and 6 to be very interesting. I thought it was interesting that Ruth was given the name "Taliban". This was because she was destroying Orpahs art work. It was cool that Quigley won a slave during a card too. This was once again, a simple read and I enjoyed it.

Chapters 5 & 6

These chapters have been the most intriguing to me thus far. From Orpah finally coming out of her shell and learning about the first Quigley. There were some very strange parts as well, like when Toloki is fondling himself in the bushes to Orpah's music. In a way im starting to understand how everything is coming together, and it is starting to become a great book in my eyes. These last few chapters will hopefully seal the deal with everything and not leave us hanging.

Chapters 5&6

Chapters 5&6 are definitely my favorite chapters of the book thus far. The connections are starting to become apparent, and the facts are being linked together. With the occurrence of said connections, I am starting to feel a lot less confused about the book in general. I never would have guessed the connections that are beginning to form. The story about the first Quigley is quite intriguing. His progression from slave owner to slave was astounding. As I read that he was first a slave owner then slave, I couldn't help but imagine how much of a coincidence it would be if Fairfield was the one who bought him. When I read on, I was pleased to see that I was correct! I am very interested in the upcoming chapters, as I hope the connections between the present story and past become even more so apparent.

Chapters 5 and 6 - Caroline Meyer

I had a little more trouble following these two chapters. One thing I found very interesting in chapter 5 was the way Ruth disagreed with everything her children chose to do. Ruth seems to be an extremely traditional women who doesn't like change. I also found it very unsettling the discovery that Toloki came to dealing with Orpah and Mahlon and their night visits. I am curious to know more about this and why this is done. In chapter six I found it very interesting the way the first Quigley went from being a slave owner and slave dealer into becoming a slave himself. I was a bit confused at how this happened and how it was allowed. It kind of makes me wonder how many times this happened in history. I found myself a bit confused about how he got away and everything. Then at the end it surprised me that he met up with Abednego and together they took down Tobias. These two chapters seemed very random and left me a bit confused.

Chapters 5 and 6

In chapter 5 Tolokai describes his life in Kilvert and the relationships he has forged. He is becoming closter to Orpah, and actually getting further away from Ruth as he starts to go against her thoughts on Orpah's art, and her dreams. Later on in the chapter, Tolokai discovers Ruth and Mahlon's secret and is disgusted, and later learns that everyone else already knows about it, and they are okay with it. Obed and Tolokai then discover a grave, a grave later discovered to be the grave of the first Quigley. In chapter six, Tolokai mourns over this grave and discovers the history of the first Quigley. He discovers his devious doings, his slavery, and his arrival in the Athen's area. Tolokai discovers his connection with Abednego and that they killed the slave capturer that killed Nicodemus. I found it interesting that neither of them felt good after killing the defenseless old man. Their revenge was futile and ultimately did nothing but create even more trouble for them. I also found it interesting that the first Quigley went from trying to get slaves and sell innocent people into slavery to trying to save all of those people and free as many slaves as possible.

Ch 5 & 6

Aside from the surprise of finding out about Orpah and her pirate costume wearing father, I was so surprised with the end of chapter 5. I knew that obviously the Quigley family was confused with their family heritage because Ruth and Obed's stories did not come close to matching up, but I did not expect their oldest ancestor to be a slave owner or seller, let alone stealer. I was not surprised to learn the town of Kilvert was originally and for the most part still an all black town because the other towns did not want anyone of color in their town, however it did make it more surprising to find out Niall Quigley was so involved with slaves. I enjoy the chapters that focus on the slavery stories much more, so I really enjoyed chapter 6.

I find that i like Ruth less and less with each page. She seems completely unable to respect anything new. If it does not pertain to her ideals then it must be related to the devil. It seems hypocritical for someone who talks commonly of her slave ancestors, escaping in equality, to turn around and be so completely closed minded, and cruel to her daughter.
In chapter six I was surprised by Quigley's business, of selling homeless children as slaves. I'm curious as to if that is historically accurate, though after thinking about it, I wouldn't be surprised if someone tried it at one point. I also thought it was fitting that his slave sold him into slavery claiming he was a mulatto just as Quigley had claimed of so many homeless children.

Cion 5 and 6

I think these two chapters have definitely been my favorite chapters so far. I am also becoming more intrigued by the mini-story of Abednego and Niall Quigley more than the story's real-time, which I was more interested in towards the beginning of the book. I feel the strongest part of both chapters was when Abednego confronts William Tobias, because at that point I was able to sympathize with both characters. Tobias may have changed dramatically, and maybe he should have been given a chance to prove he really was a different person, but I felt for Abednego because that didn't change the fact that Nicodemus was dead, and it was largely Tobias's fault. I'm actually eager now to read on and discover what happens throughout the rest of the story.

Chapters 4 and 5

Ok well I thought this book was weird before I read these two chapters. The family that Toloki is staying with is the most messed up family and Toloki is pretty bad himself, "abusing" himself to a 40+ women playing the sitar. At first I thought Ruth was pretty decent but after learning that she destroys Oprah's drawings and hates pretty much everyone, I have learned better. I think it is pretty interesting that Obed and Toloki have found the African grave but not interesting enough to hold my attention.

Cion Blog # 3

I think I enjoyed this week’s reading on Cion the best. It was full of so many things going on at once but this did not confuse the story, it just made it even better to read. I enjoyed reading about the slave and his master who went around convincing people that this powder that they had would make women have babies in half the amount of time. I found this funny that someone would even think of such a thing let alone people would actually buy it. My favorite part of that chapter was that the man ended up being sold as a slave and his slave ran free. In chapter five I had many favorite parts; the main ones would be when he first finds the drawings in ghost tree, when he and Ruth get into a fight and when Obed is Santa Clause. The drawings I feel are going to become and significant part of the novel even more than they already have. I also found it funny how turned off Ruth became when Toloki asked about Ruth’s drawings. I feel there is more anger towards Ruth then just the fact that she does not like how she drew or quilted. Finally thinking of Obed in a Santa costume was just a funny thought.

Chapters 5 and 6

Chapters five and six of Cion were interesting. I love how-in Chapter five-the author uses Toloki's preconceived ideas to lead the reader astray as to what is going on between him and Orpah, Nathan and Orpah, and Mr. Quigley and Orpah. It makes you see that Toloki really likes Orpah as opposed to just finding her attractive. He is jealous for her. I also love how chapters five and six are more connected, and therefore the past and the present are now more visibly connected. You can see this connection in the way Toloki and Obed are mourning for the guy in the past. You can also see the connection in the setting of the place. I guess that might be my favorite part of the book: the way the past and the present connect because that happens in real life too.

I did not like that Abednego and Niall killed the reformed slave-catcher, but that brought up the point that even though you may be sorry for your past mistakes, you still have to live with the consequences of them. All in all I really liked these two chapters, I still think that Mda could have spared us some of the details though.

Cion 3 and 4

After reading the first four chapters, I can now say that I enjoy reading it and am anxious to find out what happens. Prior to reading chapter 4, I was more interested with what was going on in the story's real-time, but after the dramatic ending that chapter 4 had, I am now eager to find out what happens to the characters in both tales.

Chapters 3 and 4

These two chapters were definitely easier to read and follow, and following on my last blog post I definitely enjoy the stories and book so far. I feel that Cion is becoming an easier read and I am able to become more interested in what Mda has to write. I especially enjoy reading about Nicodemus and Abednego's escape because I feel that whether or not their specific stories are real they capture the difficulties of running away. They really capture the reader's attention and bring the reader into their own world where they're trying to survive in the middle of winter. In this chapter there is also a lot of suspense that leads to the climax. The climax is reached when Nicodemus gets shot and the station keeper's house. I'm looking forward for the next two chapters.

Ch. 3 and 4

I'm actually starting to enjoy this book. I actually live near many of the places mentioned "(like Cabell and Wayne Counties in West Virginia) and it helps to make the story more relatable. Also, I did some research on Kilvert, Ohio and found out that the story about Michael Tabler is true. I think it's fascinating.

I thought that these next two chapters were much easier to read. The two stories are becoming much clearer now. I also thought it was interesting that Obed had to go to mediation instead of trial due to his actions. Beth did not want all of the attention from the public and thats why she agreed to the mediation. In the end though, Obed did have to paint the sorority house to repay his debt. I thought the election was also a significant part of the story as well. George W. Bush won the election and this made Ruth happy because she thinks he is connected to God. Orpah plays a sitar and this seems to arouse Toloki which I found very strange. Back on the Fairfield plantation the use of ghost trees was also intriguing. The trees were good hiding places and good places for storage. Abednego had a girlfriend on the plantation. The boys also saw Mrs. Fairfield coming out of one of the slave houses. The boys then escaped at night and the dog could not track them due to the snow on the ground. The Abyssinian Queen was whipped after the owner found out that the boys escaped. The boys were to follow the Drunkard's Path because they weren't supposed to go in a straight line. They beat up a bounty hunter with rocks and a musket and accidentally lost one of their quilts. Birdman was a Underground Railroad conductor which helped the boys by putting them in a safe house. The Blue Fly let the Abyssinian Queen know that the boys were ok even though she did not know that Nicodemus was shot.

Cion- 3 & 4

After reading chapters 3 & 4, I am beginning to see the connection between the two stories that are taking place. These chapters were much more interesting, and a much faster read. They grabbed my attention from the beginning. I am glad that Toloki is starting to change his opinion about Obed, because I feel as though he is a pretty conceited character. Chapter 4 is my favorite chapter thus far, because it is so full of adventure. Mda does a great job portraying the escape of Abednego and Nicodemus, bringing the underground railroad to life. The only question that I have regarding these chapters has to do with the Massa Blue Fly. I understand that it is some type of spirit, but I am lost as to what it is, and how it follows the boys, as well as the significance that it holds.

Chapters 2 and 3

These last two chapters were easier to read than the first two in my opinion. The third chapter was more interesting than the first even though it still didn't have much going on in it. I did like how Obed didn't get away without any penalties and how Toloki stood up for what he believed in other than just trying to make him happy. I am curious to see where the story takes Oprah and how her relationship with the trucker comes into play. The fourth chapter became really interesting when the boys discovered that the Lady of Fairfield Farms had a "plaything" and had to begin their escape early even though it was winter and they didn't have a chance to tell their mom.

Cion Chapters 3 & 4

In the next 2 chapters that we had to read, it seemed like the 2 stories were getting more in depth and more fun to read. In chapter 3, im glad that Toloki was starting to change his views of Obed and was trying to convince Beth to keep the charges against him. For me, i find that the chapters that go back in time and explain the whole Nicodemous story too boring for me. I did enjoy the fighting scenes though and the part when they find out the guy "leading them to Ohio", is actually a bounty hunter taking them to Kentucky. I just want to find out whats going to happen next for Obed and Toloki.

Chapters 3 and 4

In chapters 3 and 4, I found myself more interested in the events that took place. In chapter 3, I found the way Toloki helped Obed get out of a court case very interesting. It showed me the kind of caring, honest guy he is and how kind and forgiving Beth Eddy was. I was still a little confused at what all of the ancestor stuff and Shawnee versus Cherokee argument was about. However, I found chapter 4 extremely interesting. I really enjoyed learning about the struggle of Nicodemus and Abednego and their escape to freedom. I found the role of the Massa Blue Fly very interesting and all of the little people that helped make such a huge difference along their journey, both good and bad. I though reading this chapter helped me understand their life and the similarity between their life and the Quigley's life and beliefs about tradition. I am interested in learning more about the Quigley's and Toloki's experience with them.

Cion Blog 2

In chapters three and four, i found more things to be interesting, especially chapter four. The histories told in that chapter were very vivid and explained a lot more about the history of the boys and the history of the Quigley's as well. The story of the escape is enlightening and interesting as well. The fact that the young boys could make it as far as they did by themselves was incredible. The fact that the young boys kept their childhood instincts intact while on their journey to freedom was refreshing as well. For instance, when the boys are crossing the Ohio river and they stop to skate on the ice, as dangerous as it was, it kept their spirits alive, and their hopes up. In chapter three, it is interesting to find that Mrs. Quigley is so interested in the political world, although her ideas are not entirely political, but more centered on God and her beliefs. The riots for John Kerry are interesting because in Michigan, everyone voted for George W. Bush, especially in my area. And the change in that spectrum was interesting to see. Even though the election was over, and Mr. Bush had won, people were still going against it even though it could not be changed. It's as if people in this area always dwelled upon the past instead of looking toward a brighter future.

Cion Blog # 2

I thought that chapter three was interesting but not very exciting. I did find the reason that Ruth wanted George Bush to win quite funny though. I also thought that it was predictable that Obed was going to get off the hook for what he had done, even though he didn’t deserve it and it bugged me how laid back he seemed to be about the whole thing. He should and very well could have gone to jail for what he did but the girl was nice enough to let him off the hook with little punishment. I did very much enjoy chapter four. The way the author writes is so compelling, it just draws you in to what is going on and makes you want to keep reading and keep reading. When the boys had saw the lady of the house coming from the new slaves room you knew something bad would happened but having them run away was not what I expect at all. The boy seemed to have a good head about them and leaving when they did did not seem like it was the best idea. It made me laugh but also feel sacred for the boys when the author had said that they were going the wrong direction, but knowing that the blue fly, was there to help them made me realize that they were going to be alright. I found the section of the book where they are hiding in the tree and then the slave catcher finds them a very tense and worrisome part of the book but knowing they had gotten away made it better. I also found it very upsetting that the boys had left one of the quilts behind, it was like they had left a part of their mother. The end of the chapter made me very sad, to know that the boy was going to die was one thing, for the book had already eluded to it, when it talked about the ghost, but to see their mom pass as well was very depressing. She had given herself for them, in the literal and non literal way. Their mom loved them with everything in her and was willing to give up her life for them if that meant that they would be free. My favorite part of these two chapters though was the blue fly, it was something that seemed so small and silly at first but in the end, ended up being one of the best parts.

After reading chapter 3, I was very disappointed in Obed. I could not believe the way he was acting in the meeting with the sorority girl he harassed, acting like he did not touch her and did not care if he went to jail. I thought it was very ironic that the mediator had caught Obed in trouble before and still let him off free. I also was disappointed because while I knew Obed was trouble, I did not think he was capable of rape, which he was bragging about to his friend at the end of the chapter. Chapter 4 was interesting to me, but it was also sad how the boys had to survive through the freezing cold and were missing their mom. I thought they were very naive in certain parts of their escape, they were very trusting of everyone, which actually lead to them killing a man to get out of trouble.

Chapters 3 and 4

Chapters 3 and 4 were really interesting to me. I was confused at first to what ethnicity Obed and his family were thinking they were purley African-American but I learned that with being that they are also Native Americans. In these chapters the girl that Obed assulted let him off and did not press charges in exchange of painting her soroirty house. I was very interested by the escape of Niccodemous and his brother. After much running around the state of virgina and having to overcome many obstacles they finally made it to ohio.Personally i would be terrified if i had to do what these young boys had to do. I thought it was really sad that Niccodemous died in the house. I find this book fun to read and i am excited to read more.

Chapter 3 &4

These chapters were a little more interesting than the first. I am not big into reading all the discriptive language and stuff because i feel like it is kind of a waste. Just get to the point and it would be a much mor enjoyable read for me. I did think it was interesting how the girl that obed felt up decided to let him off just because she was against slavery and stuff. i feel like that would never happen in real life but it was interesting. I also think that the story of nicodemus and obendigo escaping. that part of the story was much more interesting to me.

Chapters 3 and 4

Chapter three of the book brings us back to the present with the Quigley family. We get a deeper look into their lives and Toloki's relationship with all of them. I feel like chapter three is just a "thickening of the plot" chapter. I love how the characters we met in the first chapter are more important than what they seemed to be at first: How Nathan ends up being a complication for Toloki instead of a friend and Beth Eddy is willing to give Obed a second chance.
Chapter four of the book takes us to the time of the Abyssinian Queen, and the biggest thing that happened in chapter four was Nicodemus and Abednego's escape. The Abyssinian Queen dies, and tragically so does Nicodemus. I really appreciate the way the past and future start to come together in this chapter.

Chapters 1 and 2

When I first began to read this book, I wasn't very enthusiastic about it. After Chapters 1 and 2, I'm even less enthusiastic. The story hasn't seemed to pick up yet for me. The most interesting part of the book is the way Zakes Mda portrayed Halloween in Athens. Also, his specific references to place names help me visualize the story. Overall, however, I feel like this book is a little odd. There are many mentions of pagans, in one case booing a preacher, and a man from Kentucky who stereotypically has poor grammar. So far, I'm less than impressed.

Chapters 1 and 2

After only reading the first two chapters I can already tell that this is going to be a long read. I do not read that often but I do sometimes enjoy it, I do not see this happening with this book. In the first chapter it was quite interesting though to hear him talk about "our" Athens and his perception on halloween. The second chapter was very different than the first and had a decently interesting story although I feel like the author tends to drag stuff out more than necessary.

Cion Chapters 1 & 2

The first 2 chapters for me seemed to go really slow and it had very strange language. I didn't really start to get the hang of the storyline and plot till almost the first chapter. It seemed like a strange book at first and i really dont like to read personally but anything that has to take place with something in my life, ill read it no doubt. So far, Ive started to like this book more and more every time i read a page or two. Can't wait to finish it!

Chapter 1 & 2

Though I have already read the book, I've forgotten many details of the plot. After reading the first chapter, I can only imagine the culture shock Toloki must have experienced. I also am very interested in who the sciolist is. I don't understand why he keeps abandoning Toloki either. I don't like the character of Toloki. I don't really know why exactly but something about him kind of annoys me. I liked chapter two a lot more than chapter one. I liked learning of the plantation and the Abyssinian Queen and her children. It's sick how the slaves were used to quench the sexual desires of the plantation owners. Reading about the quilts, I found it interesting that the Abyssinian Queen actually made the quilts into a map of the plantation and a quilt that had patterns that gave advice to the slaves that knew what the symbols meant.

Cion-Chapter 1&2

After reading chapter 1 and chapter 2 of Cion, I've decided that it is a pretty slow read. Although Zakes Mda goes into great detail about even the smallest things, such as the potholes of Athens, Ohio, I feel as though he tries to fit too much information in one chapter. Because of this, the flow of the book is jumbled and at times confusing as to what is going on. Even so, I still found the beginning chapters to be interesting. It's cool to read about a stranger's perspective to Athens, Ohio and his take on the celebration of Halloween. It was unfortunate to get to chapter 2 expecting to learn more about the history and Toloki's perspective of Athens, only to switch gears and learn about something completely different; the slave trade. I agree with most of my peers on the fact that some claims that Mda makes about the slave trade in Cion seem to be so "out there" that I can't seem to distinguish what's fiction and what is not.

Chapters 1 & 2

During my reading, I was confused about what was going on in the first couple pages. After that though I felt like I could relate to Toloki because he was experiencing Halloween in Athens for the first time like I did last fall. He also talked about specific paces at Ohio University which I could familiarize myself with. I thought the story about the ghost of Nicodemus was an interesting twist as well. I also thought that the idea that some quilts had slave escape routes hidden in their designs was very interesting.

Cion 1 and 2

Like many of you guys, I attempted to read Cion before school started, but to no success. However, after the reading the first two chapters, I am actually looking forward to reading it. My favorite part is how the chapters are split up so that one talks about what happens in Athens in the story's real-time, but then chapter 2 switches to the story as interpreted through the quilt. My only question at this point is who is the sciolist and why does he have a habit of abandoning Toloki, first in Durham then in Athens?

Chapters 1 and 2

Despite the popular saying "Never judge a book by its cover", I have judged this book by its first two chapters. The first couple pages of the novel are so full with unusual language that it made it difficult for me to understand, let alone be enthralled. The one thing that DID catch my eye and interest was the relation to Athens. Familiarity with the area made it easier to envision what he was trying to portray. After getting past the uninteresting intro, the story picks up and I was actually interested. After all, Halloween in Athens is never boring. The second chapter I also found interesting. The different stories were interesting to hear, refreshing almost. I think it's very important to our culture that we remember how it used to be (slavery) so that we can do what we can to prevent it from ever happening again. So despite my impression of the book from the first couple pages, I think I'm going to like this book.

Chapters 1 and 2

Although I purchased this book back at Pre-College, this is the first time I have actually sat down to read it. As I began Chapter 1 I immediately felt confused as to who the Sciolist was and what connection he had to Toloki. I found it kind of strange the way he wrote about his time in Athens during Halloween and how he ended up at Obed's house with his family. However, something I found rather interesting was the way Obed's mom, Ruth, talked about the quilts and the link they have with memories. In Chapter 2, I found it extremely interesting and rather sad the way slave women never saw their own children. I also found it strange and rather disturbing the way the slaves were used for sexual desires and other demands. I felt bad for the Abyssinian Queen and the stories they told of her life. Overall this book seemed a bit confusing and strange to me just because of the ways it jumped around and barely touches what the whole deal is with the Sciolist which makes me want to continue in hopes I will learn more.

Chapters 1 and 2

When I started reading the first chapter I immediately was confused at first. The details were sparse in the beginning about the sciolist and his relation to Tolokai. Upon finding out that Tolokai had been abandoned in Athens, and of all days, on Halloween, I felt like he was supposed to be a wanderer. His personality (Tolokai) evoked that of someone who would travel alone, and roam all over the world without settling in one place for very long. When he meets Obed Quigley, to me, it seems like an odd match. Obed is so open about everything, and Tolokai is definitely not. Obed is not afraid to take risks, and do what he wants, this is exactly the opposite of Tolokai's character and it seems odd that they are paired together. It seems as if no one understands who Tolokai really is. It being halloween, they just assume that he is in costume for the festivities, no one thinks otherwise, or bothers to listen to his real story. The quilt story is quite astounding also. Wise old women telling mothers to never love their children is quite the opposite from what we believe today.

Chapters 1 & 2

In the first chapter it only took me a paragraph or two to know exactly where Toloki was. As he walked out of the Ridges I could easily visualize the where he was walking adding an interesting depth to the story which is often impossible to achieve, unless the setting is a place one has seen with their own eyes. The idea of a professional mourner is rather odd and a little insulting. As if implying that the deceased had no one who cared for them so someone else must be called for to feign sadness. I would like to learn more about professional mourners because I feel as though that is not the intended result. The second chapter I found interesting in that it showed a side to slavery where the slaves actually had some power. Where the Abyssinian Queen is able to make the owner run wild, with little effort. Also I was confussed that so much time and money would be put into the wedding. Though I can only guess it is similar to someone waxing his (or possibly her) car till it shines like a mirror. Essential making their property shine to make others enviouse. Also is it ever explained who exactly the sciolist is?

The first chapter of the book was very interesting to me. Having been to the Ridges and obviously been in Athens and court street on Halloween, it was really interesting to read all about his experience and describing everything that he saw. I found both chapters to be interesting, however it was easier for me to read the first chapter I think just because I could relate to it and understand easier what exactly the author was talking about and describing. The second chapter was interesting to hear all of the different slavery stories I felt, but at times was confusing to me. Overall I think that the book is pretty interesting so far, having the first chapter been about Halloween and Athens and the Ridges definitely caught my interest though so I am excited to read more, but I hope that it does not get boring because I have heard that as the book goes on the beginning is better than the end.

Ch 1 and 2

While I did actually think chapter one of the book was pretty cool, mostly because it was set in Athens during Halloween, I really enjoyed the second chapter of the book much more. The stories of slavery were so interesting and different than a lot of slave stories I have read about before. It was so sad how mothers were not even allowed to see their own children once they were born to make life 'easier' for them. I never fully realized how much slaves were forced to have children by their owners. I thought it was so fascinating how the Abyssinian Queen helped inspire her sons to get free through her stories and songs and mapped out their journey secretly through a quilt.

Chapters 1 and 2

It's a shame that so many people make up their mind on a matter (such as reading Cion) before they give that something (again--such as Cion) a chance. I have tried reading Cion several times before for other classes and assignments but have never completely read passed chapter one. I never gave the book a chance because I accepted other people's false pretense that the book was poorly written and unexciting. However, this time I approached the with the goal that I would read the two chapters even if every word was painstaking. However, to my amazement this book has not found it's way out of my hands just yet and my eyes are still on the pages carefully reading every word. The intricacy and detail of the written work should be held in high regard, and for those who enjoy creative works, should take time to analyze the clever word choice, word play, and allusions made throughout the story. Mda truly has a talent of choosing the correct words that when stringed together and put down on paper will create not only an image, but a film in your mind. I thoroughly enjoyed the first chapter as it described a typical Athens Halloween. I remember before I experienced my first Halloween here I would ask other students to tell me about the experience, and they did, but it did not sound as exciting as the mourner is able to make it sound. Mda's careful word choice recreates a hauntingly, chilling, and exciting Halloween experience at court street. Mda is able to take the reader through the crowds of Court Street experiencing the costumes of students and the push and shove of the crowd. However, I enjoyed Chapter two the most as it gave the story of slaves on a plantation and Mda was able to take us into the bowels of the plantation. Talking about the concubines, slaves, breeding production, and the stories slaves would share one another to remain with hope of freedom through escape. Chapter two ended with much suspense and anticipation of what is to come, and whatever does follow in the book I am sure I won't be disappointed.

Cion Chapters 1 and 2

I tried reading this book over the summer and couldn’t get into it at all. I was bored and could not understand a thing in it. After reading the first two chapters I was excited to learn that I actually am enjoying this book. The references to Halloween, the ridges and the outer cities were enlightening because I could actually relate to them. I enjoyed that Toloki was dropped off in Athens during Halloween. There could not have been a better time to land right in the middle of Athens Ohio. I was kind of sympathetic to the fact that people thought his everyday appearance was a costume. I am still hazy on the first pages of the book. I am confused on what the main characters purpose is exactly and why he ended up in Athens, Ohio. Knowing what was fact or fiction was very hard to distinguish. Chapter one was based mostly on facts. Halloween in Athens happens the way it was described along with the ridges being there and the towns surrounding the Athens community. But the second chapter was more questionable and I was not sure if some of the facts about the Underground Railroad were accurate. I would be interesting in leaning which were based on fiction or fact.

chap 1 and 2

At orientation the way i understood it was that we had to read this book. So i did. but since that was over the summer i have forgotten alot about the book. When i read it over the summer alot of the things in Athens that were talked about, i didnt know that much about. It did a little bit of enlightening for me as to the traditions and other things that happens here especially during the time when Toloki is there, Halloween. Now that i am reading for the second time and have experienced halloween here I see pictures and things in my head that helps me put the story into a little bit mor of perspective. I am not going to lie, i really didnt like this book at all the first time i read it. It was hard for me to get into the story. It is just not my type of book. now that i have to read it again, its easier since i have already done it but i still am not a huge fan.

The First Two Chapters

I have already read this book, so naturally everything I say is from the view-point of someone who has already read this book. The way the author starts off chapter one is very fascinating. I grew up in Athens, so it is interesting to hear someone from another culture describe it...I especially loved the mention of potholes. Zakes Mda does an excellent job at describing things; however,-as you will all probably realize by the end of the book-he could have spared me an inward seizure caused by my trying to wipe away those images and not have described some of those things that he felt were necessary to describe. I love that chapter one was set during Halloween. Mda mentions everything Athens is famous for in one chapter and in a non-boring way: The ridges, the block party, the politicians, the college, the bricks, the potholes and the spirit. In chapter two, we go back to the days of the underground railroad and I wonder how accurate this is. Did things like that really happen? I confess that I am lost in a fog of fiction and non-fiction and I cannot tell the two apart. What was exaggerated and what was based on real facts? Regardless of fact or fiction, chapter two was an interesting read. I have mixed feelings about this book.

Cion Blog #1

I had first read Cion over the summer thinking it was something that all freshman had to of had read by the first day of school. Later finding out I was wrong to my annoyance but none the less I had at least started to read it. By now I had forgotten most of the small details of the book and I’m happy that I have. Going back and starting to read this for the second time is actually fun. I can take time to see the smaller things that I over looked before. I find it funny when Toloki was first dropped off in Athens on Halloween night, I can only image how confused he must have been. Trying to figure out what was going on and why everyone seems to be dressed oddly. Also when he said he was looking for the two people running for president but all he could find were old presidents made me laugh. The other part of the book that have enjoyed is when he is telling his story about the Abyssinian Queen. He goes into such detail that you can’t help but picture what is going on while you are reading. Another section in the book that struck me was how when at the Ridges he could not morn for the deaths of the people for the people there didn’t have names. This brought on a whole new sadness to that grave yard, when you walk through there you know not who lie underneath you but when someone who morns death as a profession cannot even morn theses people it makes you stop and think just how forgotten these individuals buried there are.