Explore the Core Themes of Starfall’s Narrative
Delve into the profound themes of loss, war, and knowledge woven throughout Jamie Cass’s Starfall, set against the evocative backdrop of Napoleonic Oxford’s dark academia.
Starfall’s Core Themes
Discover the profound themes of loss, war, and knowledge woven through the dark academia tapestry of Napoleonic Oxford in Jamie Cass’s novel Starfall.
Loss and Its Echoes
Grief and its symptoms can be found everywhere in Starfall. From the city itself, born in fire from the loss of Oxford, to its people, shattered by a war that spanned continents and decades. Each of the characters of Starfall carries their own loss, and each bears their own scars.
The Shadow of War
Starfall is a world that is still recovering from the shattering of war. Many of the characters you’ll meet are veterans. Some are refugees. The war permeates everything, from the people Aria meets on the streets, to the songs she hears in the taverns, to the empty doors of her Department.
The Poison of Knowledge
Knowledge in the world of Starfall is a double-edged sword, just as it is in our world. On the one side, it can embolden, banishing the darkness, giving strength to the weak, and acting as a beacon for those in need. On the other, it drips, drop by drop, into the soul, tainting the listener. Too much of it transforms a person into some unrecognisable. And knowledge can’t be unlearnt.