The House of the Scorpion – Nancy Farmer
Marirosa Mia: I confess I had never heard of Nancy Farmer’s THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION until about a year ago, when a fellow publishing person called it her favorite science fiction novel. I grew up in Puerto Rico, where most of the English language novels I read were either for school or part of the HARRY POTTER series. My education in English language science fiction didn't come until much later, and frankly I'm still not as fluent as I'd like to be! So I was quite happy to discover that Julie also wanted to read THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION and I should add it to my list.
First, a plot summary: Matteo Alacran is special. He is a clone. A clone of one of a feared and hated drug lord, "El Patron." Matteo lives in luxury because of El Patron's support, but is hated by the rest of El Patron's family. Like most of their society, those family members consider clones no better than livestock. Matt is cared for by Celia (who loves him like her own), Tam Lin (who teaches him quite a few lessons for survival), and Maria (who gives Matt friendship, and with whom he falls in love) as he journeys to discover who he is as an individual and within society.
Julie, what did you think of THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION?
Julie: Oh, I love this book. It's easy to see why it won a trifecta of children's book awards when it came out in 2003 (the National Book Award, a Printz Honor, and a Newbery Honor). I feel rotten that I waited so long to read it! I've owned it since 2003 (hiding my head in shame now), and I remember reading the first couple of pages. But those pages have a far more technical feel--a far more "you are reading science fiction!" feel--than the rest of the book. I didn't love them, and I set the book aside. What a mistake! This book has riveting action and tension; it raises and compellingly addresses interesting moral questions; and it brings to life multidimensional characters whose relationships I cared about. After the first ten pages or so, I did not want to put the book down. I loved watching Matteo grow older surrounded by people who sometimes surprised me and sometimes did not--always in satisfying ways--and understanding more about his world with him. Did you feel the same, Mia?
M: Couldn't agree with you more. One of my main issues with science fiction is that often I have a hard time finding the humanity through all the technical speak and high concept ideas. All the shiny ships and guns in the world won't save a book if there isn't a beating heart at the middle of all of it. At least, not with me. And THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION's beating heart is Matteo and his journey to discover who he is and what that says about those around him (and us as readers); it's Celia and her love for Matteo and defiance of El Patron; it's Tam Lin and his tragic redemption at the end of the novel; and it's Maria and her continuous affection for Matteo. And the ending, oh lord, the ending. I think you and I disagree on the ending, Julie--I thought it was so poetic and tragic. But let me turn it back to you. Any more thoughts on the novel? The ending?
J: I like the very end of the book. But there are several chapters before that--I don't want to say too much! I hate spoilers--that I found frustrating. In those chapters, Matteo is away from the other characters who've brought the story to life. And I missed that setting and all of its energy and tension. Does that make sense?
M: Totally. Not sure I'm there with you, but I see what you mean. I'll be interested to see where we pick up in the sequel!
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