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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
After reading the synopsis of this book, it sounded exactly like something I would read. I was severely disappointed. I had the hardest time getting into the story and I blame it on the rhetoric 100%. It was the first thing I noticed: that the rhetoric seemed to drag and not really grab me at all. With that being said, I still believe this book should be used in a scholarly setting, as the theme of slavery and human rights is shown from an interesting perspective. By that I mean, the fact that the masters use science and philosophy to perform an elaborate experiment on Octavian, a depiction not often seen when it comes to the start of slavery in the Americas.
One of the best books I've read in a long while. I can't believe people haven't been rushing around grabbing other people by their collars and shaking them and demanding that they read this book now now NOW. It's amazing. It works on so many levels. I just -- oh, man.
Octavian's mother reminds me strongly of Diana Villiers; she has the same pride, quick wit, grace, beauty and courage, and the same fondness of luxury, the chafing at the limitations that bound her world, the rage.
Do people really object to the detachment of Octavian's narration? Isn't that part of the point?
Mildly bemused at other reviewers who disliked the book because the things done to Octavian and his mother were so disgusting. These things happened, or at least things like it, and worse as well. Does it make things better if you choose never to think about them?
Octavian's mother reminds me strongly of Diana Villiers; she has the same pride, quick wit, grace, beauty and courage, and the same fondness of luxury, the chafing at the limitations that bound her world, the rage.
Do people really object to the detachment of Octavian's narration? Isn't that part of the point?
Mildly bemused at other reviewers who disliked the book because the things done to Octavian and his mother were so disgusting. These things happened, or at least things like it, and worse as well. Does it make things better if you choose never to think about them?
I have a serious book crush on M.T. Anderson. This goes right up there with What Is the What.
This is a beautifully written story, really superb, not at all fun though, very intense and challenging. The prose is among the best I have ever come across.
It is interesting that many of the negative reviews deal with the fact that the subject matter is difficult. Truth and life are often difficult though, and not every story can be about sparkly boyfriends and the perfect HEA. This is important subject matter that I believe all young people should try to understand.
From the end of THE KINGDOM ON THE WAVES (sequel to this book):
"If this were the fantasy novel it so much resembles, there would be a third volume. In that book Octavian, Pro Bono, and Nsia would come forth from their place of hiding; they would orchestrate the desperate clash of these two great nations and engineer the toppling of both governments. There would be gargantuan, cleansing battles, and in their wake, our heroes would found a new realm. All people would be free, their shackles would fall from every wrist, and bounty would return to the land.
"But of course, this is not what happened. Instead, slavery persisted in this country for another four generations. And a full century after the general emancipation, nearly two hundred years after the Revolution, federal legislation finally ensured legal equality for black and white."
It is interesting that many of the negative reviews deal with the fact that the subject matter is difficult. Truth and life are often difficult though, and not every story can be about sparkly boyfriends and the perfect HEA. This is important subject matter that I believe all young people should try to understand.
From the end of THE KINGDOM ON THE WAVES (sequel to this book):
"If this were the fantasy novel it so much resembles, there would be a third volume. In that book Octavian, Pro Bono, and Nsia would come forth from their place of hiding; they would orchestrate the desperate clash of these two great nations and engineer the toppling of both governments. There would be gargantuan, cleansing battles, and in their wake, our heroes would found a new realm. All people would be free, their shackles would fall from every wrist, and bounty would return to the land.
"But of course, this is not what happened. Instead, slavery persisted in this country for another four generations. And a full century after the general emancipation, nearly two hundred years after the Revolution, federal legislation finally ensured legal equality for black and white."
I was pleasantly surprised at Octavian Nothing - being a little burnt out on genre lately. Anderson combines alternative history, the history of science, American history, and a dash of the gothic in an engaging, disturbing, and fast-paced story about a young boy of African decent growing up in the household of a peculiar group of philosophers in Revolutionary Era Boston.
Definitely an interesting and unique book. That's the best word for it - unique. It's written in period language, so I didn't understand every word...but hey, context clues, am I right? I enjoyed it. The beginning kind of made me feel weird and didn't make sense, but once you get going - everything falls into place and you start feeling other things. I enjoyed it. My one word reivew: unique.
I knew very little about this book going in, other than the fact that it was supposed to be amazing, and I'm grateful that I didn't know much about it. Therefore, I'll try not to spoil it for others.
This is one of those books that sucks you in and then surprises you. It's almost a meld of some common historical narratives and fiction.
As someone who teaches history for a living, this is something I can seusing at some point. Will definitely be recommeding it to our junior historian, and I'm looking forward to reading Part 2.
This is one of those books that sucks you in and then surprises you. It's almost a meld of some common historical narratives and fiction.
As someone who teaches history for a living, this is something I can seusing at some point. Will definitely be recommeding it to our junior historian, and I'm looking forward to reading Part 2.
For as long as Octavian can remember, he has been living and training with a household of elite philosophers and academics. As he gets gradually older, he starts to realize that not everything is as straightforward as it seemed and Octavian's is unbelievably complicated. Set in the 18th Century, this novel deals with both issues of slavery and the inter-workings of the American Revolution. The novel takes place over the course of many years and is told mostly from Octavian's point of view. Though it's extremely interesting and heartbreaking, Octavian is exceptionally philosophical which slows down the pace significantly and could be troublesome for some readers.
I love this book an incalculable amount. The prose (there are moments of it that made me feel like I was punched in the stomach). The characters (Octavian is my boy and his mother is stunning in her complexity). The plot - or more specifically, the moments of dramatic irony that abound in this story, and how well-constructed Octavian’s journey is. I still think my favourite thing about this book, though, is when it will mention something innocuous that has a far greater meaning and leaves you reeling so much more powerfully than if it had been stated as a full point.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
This is a very difficult read. And it’s a very sad reality to face that things like this actually happened in history and even are still happening today in areas of this world.