The House Of The Scorpion
Ratings79
Average rating3.9
Summary: This work of science fiction takes place in a world where the wealthy are able to have clones of themselves made so that their organs can be harvested. Normally, these clones are made so that they cannot think or act, but the book’s central character, Matt, is a clone who has been allowed to live with his mental abilities intact. The story traces Matt’s gradual realization that something about his society is not quite right and his journey to free himself from the bondage into which he was born.
I read this a lot in 5th grade and middle school. I remember this was my favorite book. It really took me to other places and it made me love reading more because before then when I visualized book as I read them it was never so vivid and clear. I finally got my hands on the sequel part way through middle school and I remember enjoying it too.
Matteo learns he is a clone in a world where clones are despised. He gradually comes to find his place in his world, the land of Opium, when he discovers that he is the clone of El Patron, the head of the drug empire.
Coming of age story. Good, not great. Difficult to imagine some scenes as author provides little to no details
I enjoyed the blend of Spanish and English with their respective cultures. I enjoyed the world in which the story takes place and wish to know more about it.
This dystopian, young-adult novel is utterly fascinating, disturbing, and engrossing. The future world Nancy Farmer has created is disturbingly believable, but the ultimate trajectory of the book is one of resilience and hope. The style is very readable but also gives children and young adults a lot of credit in being able to take on a challenging book.
I've tried several times to read this book in the past, but I could just not get past the first few pages.
Finally, I've read it.
An interesting take on a future where cloning is legal, but clones are not considered people. The way society interacts with Matt is interesting. Most of the characters are not prominent, but it is told from Matt's pov, so that may be forgiven.
