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The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party (The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation) | 
 enlarge | Author: M.t. Anderson
Publisher: Candlewick
Category: Book
List Price: $10.99
Buy New: $4.70
You Save: $6.29 (57%)
New (40) Used (26) from $3.50
Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 90545
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Pages: 384
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.7 x 1.1
ISBN: 0763636797
EAN: 9780763636791
Publication Date: January 22, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Young Octavian is being raised by a group of rational philosophers known only by numbers. After he opens a forbidden door he learns the hideous nature of their experiments and his own chilling role in them. Set in Revolutionary Boston, M.T. Anderson's mesmerizing novel takes place at a time when Patriots battled to win liberty while African slaves were entreated to risk their own lives for a freedom they would never claim. The first of two parts (volume two will be published in fall 2008), this deeply provocative novel reimagines the past as an eerie place that has startling resonance for readers today.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 one of the best novels I've read in the past year--YA or otherwise April 26, 2008
a reader (Honolulu, HI)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I LOVED this book. However, it is most certainly not for everyone. This is a challenging read. The language is difficult and even antiquated in parts, but 1) I make it a habit to read with a dictionary nearby so this didn't faze me, and 2) even when I wasn't in the mood to stop reading to look something up, I was still able to figure out the meaning of the text based on the overall context. Besides, after about 50 pages or so, I became accustomed to the writing style and then I blazed through the rest of the book.
If you're willing to put in the effort, the payoff is huge. The characters are believable. The story is horrific, heartbreaking, and somehow hopeful at the same time. The language is stunningly gorgeous in parts. The subject matter is fascinating, and it made me think about our country's history from a different perspective. Also, if you don't read too many reviews that all but spoil the plot for you (Anderson slowly reveals the reality of the situation to the reader as Octavian begins to realize what's going on), the tension and mystery of it propels you along. The cliffhanger ending was perfect, and I cannot wait for the second book in the series to be published.
Great March 31, 2008
Kandace M. Odorisio (Pueblo, Colorado)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
The bood was in great condition, it came on a timely basis, and there was not a single hassle.
 Disturbingly Beautiful - but for young readers? January 28, 2008
Steven Boe (Los Angeles, CA USA)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book is very disturbing but in a a beautiful dark way. I bought it from the title alone so I didn't know what I was getting myself into but was pleasantly surprised. Anderson has an incredible way of describing emotions on a variety of levels. It says this book is for young readers but I found nothing that seemed to support this. Maybe it's only for very intelligent and deep young readers however I think the subject matter would be great for all of todays teens to study.
Unfortunately the ending leaves you hanging and doesn't seem complete. I'm not patient enough to wait another year for Volume 2.
Bottom line is if you like dark, tragically sad, well written books I would recommend this one.
A Good Yet Disturbing Read March 6, 2008
Joy To The World (Seattle, WA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
M.T. Anderson does an amazing job of capturing the heartache and brutality of slavery in this early American story. Complex characters and a plot with many twists and turns add to the quality of the read, and one is rarely sure who is a friend and who is an enemy. The vocabulary of the book is clearly intended to help the readers remember that they are in a different time, but it is not difficult to comprehend. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for good, challenging historical fiction. I do offer one warning though: this book may not work for those with weak stomachs.
 Wasted Read March 6, 2008
RetroReader (Great Lakes)
4 out of 17 found this review helpful
Unfortunately selected by our book club, I can find nothing positive to say about this book. The most cogent portion might be all the pages where the writing is literally crossed out. Presumably written for teens, the vocabulary is inaccessible. Circumlocution, arcane forms, obscure references, all combine to creat a book that will lead teens to despise their teachers. Will donate the copy to Goodwill.
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