Feed by M.T. Anderson August 30, 2007

Author:

Anderson, M.T.

Title:

Feed

Publisher & Date:

Candlewick, 2002

Recommended Age Range:

14 and up

Plot Summary:

Feed introduces readers to a troubling future where everyone, who can afford it, that is, is constantly plugged in. What everyone is plugged into is not explicitly stated, but it seems to be a scary, commercial conglomerate that constantly bombards everyone with advertisements. Unfortunately, this situation seems to have grown so slowly, inconspicuously, and insidiously, that no one notices anymore. Everyone, adult, teen, or child is used to the commercialism of their lives.

The novel revolves around two main characters, Titus, who is used to this fast-paced, media-inundated lifestyle, and Violet, who got the feed installed at a relatively late age. Violet’s father was a professor who did not believe in the feed. Thus, Violet did not have the feed installed until she about seven years old. It seems that most people in Violet and Titus’ age group get the feed at birth or very early in their childhood. Violet and Titus meet during a spring break trip to the moon. While hanging out at a club, both Violet and Titus’ feeds get hacked. Titus seems mostly recovered, while Violet, perhaps as a result of her late installation, seems to degenerate further and further. Or does she? Violet starts to struggle against the feed and to grasp the last bits of real life she has ahead of her before her infected feed kills her.

Reader Appeal:

This innovative science-fiction novel and its theme of anti-consumerism and information literacy would appeal to fans of science-fiction, social responsibility, activism, and social justice. This novel would not appeal to anyone looking for romance or action. This book would also not appeal to anyone who does not have patience with annoying fake slang.

Literary Merit:

Feed is a an innovative novel that uses slang, poor grammar and limited vocabulary to place readers into the head of the main character, Titus. Everything that happens does so through Titus’ eyes, so readers experience his struggles to understand the queerness of Violet’s upbringing and beliefs. It is well-written because it works on many levels. It works at face value for reluctant readers due to its limited vocabulary, short chapters and decent amount of white space. It also works for more advanced readers due to the social implications of its anti-consumerism theme.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson July 20, 2007

Author:

Anderson, M.T.

Title:

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation

Publisher & Date:

Candlewick Press, 2006

Recommended Age Range:

16 and up

Plot Summary:

Octavian is a young African-American boy born into and living in the lap of luxury in Boston in the late 1700s.  According to his own understanding, his mother is an African queen and he a prince.  They are treated by everyone in their compound as such.  He does not discover until much, much later that he and his mother are living experiments, owned by aristocracy and tested every moment to see if dark-skinned persons are biologically and psychologically the same as light-skinned people. 

The initial coordinators of the project are kinder to he and his mother in the sense that they generally do not mean Octavian and his mother any harm to even if the experimenters ultimately believe themselves superior to them.  The same cannot be said, however, after their main benefactor dies.  The new set of funders and the overseer they hire are intent on crushing the spirits of Octavian and his mother and proving their inferiority.  Before, Octavian and his mother are mostly tested and observed.  The new overseer, however, takes it upon himself to torture them both, assign them backbreaking housework, and attempt to sell Octavian’s mother’s hand in marriage.  When she refuses and Octavian tries to protect her, he beats them both.

Reader Appeal:

This book would appeal to those interested in American history, slavery, the American revolution, politics of race and identity, and social justice.  This book would not appeal to those looking for a light read, romance, fantasy or humor.

Artistic Merit:

This dark and exquisitely written book nearly took my breath away with his heart-breaking detail and psychological revelations.  Since it is written in first person, the reader quickly empathizes with Octavian.  The reader realizes the horrors and true inhumanity of Octavian’s life seemingly at the same time that Octavian does, truly immersing the reader in his world.