The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party

...then perhaps, you are nothing. M. T. Anderson's fine novel, "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing" allows the reader to explore this premise through the eyes of Octavian Gitney, a young boy who has not yet come to the realization that he is a slave. Set in pre-Revolutionary Boston, "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing" highlights the often ignored fact that slavery existed not only in the southern colonies, but also throughout the northern colonies. While these individuals may have been referred to as "servants," the fact is they were slaves, owned by those who had purchased them. The story is narrated by Octavian, personalizing the work and making the events occurring throughout the text intimate and very intense, much more so than a third person narrative would have done.Octavian and his mother are the subjects of an experiment being conducted by the Novanglian College of Lucidity, a group of scholars. The experiment seeks to determine whether individuals of African descent are able to be taught and accomplish the same niceties as individuals of European ancestry. Ironically, in treating Cassiopeia and Octavian as experimental "animals," the College negates the possibility of proving whether the premise is valid or not. Further, Octavian, his mother, and the other servants are the only individuals, initially, who are referred to by name. Members of the college have been assigned numbers, which dehumanizes those individuals in the same way they have attempted to dehumanize others. It is only as the novel proceeds and individuals begin to show some sympathy for Octavian that a name is given the particular individual within the story's context.This is an extraordinary novel. The provocative themes which run throughout the book cause the reader to pause and consider what might have been had slavery not existed for nearly 100 years following the American Revolution. Written partly as a personal narrative, but also incorporating fictionalized examples of newspaper clippings and postings, the era in which the novel is set is reinforced in both its tone and attitude. While the novel is purported to be geared toward readers from ninth grade and beyond, it is really a novel for any reader who seeks literature that is thought-provoking and intelligently written. I recommend "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing" for anyone who loves to read. This is a novel that will stay with you long after you have placed it on the shelf.

I was a little upset when my son's sixth grade teacher assigned this to him. First it is not an easy read. Next it has some very difficult concepts and scenes not 100 percent appropriate for an 11 year old. Still, instead of asking him to put it down, I chose to read it with him, out-loud.Thank goodness for the Kindle, because we BOTH needed to look up several words a page. And there were some parts I paraphrased. THat said, I think my son has really benefited from this very human story about a boy being raised in the poshest of circumstances only to learn as he grows up that he is a slave and subject of a velvet gloved experiment.He is able to accept that -- as long as he is in the hands of professors who want to prove just how able he is. When the college falls on hard times and is taken over, Octavian's world is turned upside down.Tough but really amazing read. I think my son and I are both getting a lot out of it.

I read "Feed," by M.T. Anderson years ago and loved it. I hadn't read anything else of his until "The Pox Party," so I was very excited. I loved the story, the plot, and the characters. My only complaint is that the second part of the book, told from multiple points of view via letter, moves a bit slowly, especially after the first part. It's a good idea and it got better as it went along, but I found myself scanning and moving forward without actually reading. It felt a bit sluggish, although, as I said, I appreciate the artistry in the approach. I enjoy well done historical fiction, and this is certainly well done. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I loved this book. I don't understand the complaints of those who found it slow. The main author was one of the most authentic voices I have heard in literature. The writing was masterful and beautiful. Granted, the language of the time must have been as ornate as the prose the author spins.I am not exaggerating when I say my hair stood on end twice when reading it. This is a must read for any adult, youthful or not, who has any interest in our system of governance and as the back cover of the book proclaims, what it actually means to call yourself a patriot. I hope this book one day is widely taught and read. It has a remarkable, unerring, poetic telling of the barbarity of human property.A remarkable book.

I really enjoyed this book. However the middle section of letter writing I found difficult to follow.Not a YA book.

I was a little skeptical when my college professor assigned YA books for our class, but I absolutely loved Octavian Nothing and am still waiting for the time when I can read the second volume. As a historical fiction, I think this book could easily help your child or your students segue into harder Civil war texts. Octavian provides an interesting look at the cultural and racial customs of the time period while providing young readers with an easy level of vocabulary and sentence structure. As a future teacher I highly recommend this book.

The circumstances surrounding Octavian's childhood are mysterious. He is a Prince, his mother a Queen, and is being raised in a home in Boston with scientists who study his every move. As you learn about his life, you get drawn in more and more into hist story. Then, the heart breaking truth is revealed.Set just before the American Revolution, this truly astonishing tale is told from Octavian's perspective, as someone who does not know the results of the war. Although the reader has the benefit of hindsight, Octavian does not, and his journey takes many twists and turns as he tries to discover the true meanings of liberty and patriotism.As a history lover, I am obsessed with this book and Volume II, A Kingdom on Waves. Perfect for anyone who loves history.

Arrived on time and in perfect shape. Was a great read. No complaints.

母親と共に、アフリカのとある王国からアメリカへ連れてこられた少年。奴隷という身分ながら、高級な洋服をあてがわれ、超一流の教育を施されていた・・・。そのせいか、使用単語もレベルが違う。ＹＡだとみくびっていたので思ったより読み終えるのに時間がかかった。ポイントはこれが実話に基づいているということと、大河的物語の一部に過ぎないということ。ところどころ千々に乱れる文章に心が痛む。今後どうなっていくのだろう・・・。

Nicely written but a bit of a slog to be honest.

It's an ebook, and you get it right away? Process was easy enough