Musings on Two-Thirds of a Locked Tomb

I re-read Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth.   (This time, I read the text of Gideon, and listened to the Audible production of Harrow, the opposite of the first reads.)  I understand So Much More, now, and I still love them to pieces.  

Spoilers to follow.  ( Read more... )

So, here's my non-spoiler question:  Are these books an anti-colonialist narrative?  It is almost banal to observe that all empires are built on death and lies, but rarely do you see the former so literalized.  It slowly becomes clear that Muir actually is thinking about the ethical implications of thanergy as the primary power source for the empire.  (One is almost inured to bones when God is introduced, but I do not think we should ignore the EXTRA CREEPY aspect of his laurel wreath being ornamented with infant finger bones.)  At this point, I think that the text does not deny that reading, but I am less clear on how explicit it is.  (I do note that the name of Wake, which might be a clue, here.)

At any rate, if you have other things you want to share, or corrections, please do.  Comments may be as spoilerific as you like.