Hi everyone. This question isn't actually about a book I'm writing, but rather one I recently beta read. The book is a standard YA dystopian in which the bad guy punishes rebels by encasing them in gold, effectively turning them into statues. This concept doesn't quite sit well with me. I get that the bad guy wants to display the statues to make an example out of the people he's punished, but I'm confused about the exact means used.
These are the main two questions I have:
1) Is gold really the best way to do this? Considering how valuable gold is, it seems like it would be a waste to use it on criminals. Isn't there another, less expensive substance to use?
2) How do the logistics of encasing someone in gold work? In the book, the statues resemble exactly how the encased individual was standing before they were doused in molten gold. One of the characters makes a figurative gesture that is replicated by her statue and the MC is able to recognize it (and her) later on. But since the gold is so hot, wouldn't it melt off her skin? Would she still resemble herself in the end?
I'll admit I know very little about metalworking, which is why I'm hoping to get your expertise. I want to make sure I'm giving my crit partner the proper advice. For all I know, maybe she's right that gold is the best way to go about it.
These are the main two questions I have:
1) Is gold really the best way to do this? Considering how valuable gold is, it seems like it would be a waste to use it on criminals. Isn't there another, less expensive substance to use?
2) How do the logistics of encasing someone in gold work? In the book, the statues resemble exactly how the encased individual was standing before they were doused in molten gold. One of the characters makes a figurative gesture that is replicated by her statue and the MC is able to recognize it (and her) later on. But since the gold is so hot, wouldn't it melt off her skin? Would she still resemble herself in the end?
I'll admit I know very little about metalworking, which is why I'm hoping to get your expertise. I want to make sure I'm giving my crit partner the proper advice. For all I know, maybe she's right that gold is the best way to go about it.