jsgoddess's Full Review: M. T. Anderson - The Astonishing Life of Octavian ...
Amongst the canon of books written in English are more than a handful that might be good books, might even be great books, but are books I don't want to read. Frankly, I very rarely read anything I don't want to read. Life is too short.
But I was tempted by reviews of MT Anderson's YA novel The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: The Pox Party. It's won a number of honors, and is on a number of "Best of 2006" lists. It is a very worthy book.
But you may not want to read it.
Octavian Nothing is an epistolary novel set in the years before the American Revolution. All of the text is taken from the writings of the characters, with most of the writing being Octavian's. As the novel begins, Octavian is a young boy living in an extremely strange household. His mother is something of a socialite, but her "suitors" are the peculiar inhabitants and visitors of a house dedicated to oddball science--and Octavian is the main subject of their experiments. Everything the boy does is measured and discussed and recorded, from Latin texts to bowel movements. He is like a pet in a cage, and we learn early on that the scientists don't get too attached to their pets when they choose to poison a pet dog for no discernible reason other than "Just to see what happens."
We also learn that Octavian, and his mother, are slaves. In turn, they are feted and whipped, lauded and despised. They are a prince and princess. They are beneath notice. Royal and royally inhuman.
This is an odd story, about odd people, told an odd way. The letter technique means that there is a slow, often stilted style as Anderson tries to emulate real writing patterns of the era. He does a good job, but I found myself growing impatient with the conceit--longing at a couple of places for the author to take a firmer hand with the text. This isn't a long book, but it's a slow read. It isn't difficult, but it's filled with a ponderous dread.
There is a little humor in the book, but not enough to serve as contrast to the gloom.
The characters are extreme, with few touches of humanity about them. They aren't unbelievable, but the technique of telling the story through letters makes everyone seem flat and mannered.
On the plus side, Anderson is dealing with an aspect of American history that is often overlooked--slavery before the American Revolution. The book also spends some time with militia members and gives a look at the conditions of 18th century warfare.
But this is hardly a slice-of-life book, set as it is largely amongst the freakish scientists. So when I try to categorize it I'm left rather puzzled. How seriously was I supposed to take the book? I don't know. Would I have enjoyed the book more if I could have viewed it as satire? Perhaps.
Is this a good book? Yes, I think so.
Do you want to read it? Your guess is so much better than mine.
Various diaries, letters, and other manuscripts chronicle the experiences of Octavian, a young African American, from birth to age 16, as he is brough...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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