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The House of the Scorpion
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Farmer, Nancy - The House of the Scorpion (Matteo Alacran #1) - buddy read - Starts April 4, 2016
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I'm in on this! This is also my first buddy read ever, so I'm quite excited;the book is waiting on my desk.
I've had my copy from the library for a few days now, but I've been telling myself I need to finish a few of my other currently reading before I start a new book. I've heard a lot of good about this, and both Newbery and National Book awards are usually good indicators. :)
I'm just about to start the book, and depending on school work and how much it's gonna wanna crush me, I think I am going to try and read one section per day, so today my goal is chapters 1-5!
Still not further than chapter five, but I really enjoyed the setup so far. The first chapter was really interesting to me, with the scientist's point of view. Cloning has always created a large debate, with everything from Dolly to shows like "I Cloned My Pet". Is it morally right? For science? Never Let Me Go brings it up, and I am looking forward to reading more.It's a great science fiction idea, and I always love fiction that makes you think about morality and humanity - especially as we get the first look of Matt as a six-year-old who doesn't know anything about the outside world. Even if it's a YA book, I did enjoy the longer view of him as a young child. It helps built up his humanity, because right now, he is like any other child, being brought up by oh so loving Celia. The later treatment of him is horrible though!
I am really excited to read on! How are you liking it so far?
So I also just finished chapter 5, and Matt's whole story is quite intriguing. I've noticed that the El patron seems to be overshadowing his life, so I've spent most of my reading time wondering about that. Like what are the mixed morals of this man?
I feel like this is sci-fi that has a lot to do with cloning, except Matt seems helpless to understand what's going on around him, and he's helpless because he doesn't know who he is as a person. Kind of makes me pity him and I want to tell him sorry f behalf of everyone who's acting against him
I feel like this is sci-fi that has a lot to do with cloning, except Matt seems helpless to understand what's going on around him, and he's helpless because he doesn't know who he is as a person. Kind of makes me pity him and I want to tell him sorry f behalf of everyone who's acting against him
I'm really interested in Celia because she obviously know that Matt is a clone, but she treats him so nicely. It's clear that society as a whole thinks of clones as much lesser beings: the children knows what they are and how they are supposed to treat them. María's comparison between her dog and Matt just showcases her innocence but also privilege.I have another book to finish today but I am definitely reading some more today to find out how the rescue operation will go!
I made my way through the second part of the book today (finished chapter 14) and I have to say - I love the casual sci-fi in the background, like the explanation of the eejits and more about the clones. It's just... there. It's part of their world now, and we're slowly introduced to it as Matt is. I thought that eejit was just a dialectal version of idiot, and while that's certainly the origin of the word, finding out what the true meaning is was chilling. Seeing McGregor's clone in the hospital was horrible! At least we got more of a perspective on clones and why they are so hated. The conversation between him and his body guard was intriguing - his respect and calling Matt a human instead of a pet or a beast.
And how horrible isn't Tom!! He's so awful and I know his type, though not as extreme as to poison a dog! What a little asshole!
El Patron is starting to come into the story more and more, and he seems awful too, but lets be honest; good stories need good villains. How are you feeling about him right now after a few more chapters?
I just finished Chapter 14, I can completely sympathize with Matt, because the author makes it appear like he is more intelligent and insightful than a full human. And the narrative is weaved in such a way, that it seems like we are getting a childish perspective, learning about the sci-fi along with Matt as he goes on with his life.
El Caudron is a different individual, and Matt is just too naive to portray him in any other way than good, for the reason that he is a sing/symbol of protection, as is Celia. But the the thing is, that he is written very 2D-just a very very old man who loves power and receiving gits, even though he's the richest of the whole family. I think that the author could definitevly develop him more by making him have more appearances, instead of just kind of being in the shadowy-figure of Matt's life. He's still not a good villain in my opinion, if there is such thing(solid) but he needs to be less cliche.
El Caudron is a different individual, and Matt is just too naive to portray him in any other way than good, for the reason that he is a sing/symbol of protection, as is Celia. But the the thing is, that he is written very 2D-just a very very old man who loves power and receiving gits, even though he's the richest of the whole family. I think that the author could definitevly develop him more by making him have more appearances, instead of just kind of being in the shadowy-figure of Matt's life. He's still not a good villain in my opinion, if there is such thing(solid) but he needs to be less cliche.
Yeah, he needs to make more appearances, but I have a feeling as Matt grows older, El Patron will definitely get more involved in his life. There's a reason why Matt was created after all. Right now we just see this old man, but we know he created a clone and that he's waaaay old, so it's just a matter of time before something horrible will happen. At least Matt is growing older and more aware of his surroundings.
Leo wrote: " so it's just a matter of time before something horrible will happen."
I'm still hoping that there is an unexpected plot twist in the book, I quite enjoy those in sci-fi books and the author kind of leaves us in suspense most of the time. There's rarely a book that captures my attention with an unexpected plot twists, and catches me off guard. But in my opinion, you have to stop expecting that something bad/good will happen and just let the story play itself out like it's written.
I'm still hoping that there is an unexpected plot twist in the book, I quite enjoy those in sci-fi books and the author kind of leaves us in suspense most of the time. There's rarely a book that captures my attention with an unexpected plot twists, and catches me off guard. But in my opinion, you have to stop expecting that something bad/good will happen and just let the story play itself out like it's written.
I just wanted to declare that I have finished the book, and I am anxiously awaiting discussing it with you, Leo. The end uh, won't say anything more about just; uhh?
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Never Let Me Go (other topics)The House of the Scorpion (other topics)
Book Synopsis:
Matteo Alacran was not born; he was harvested with the DNA from El Patron, lord of a country called Opium. Can a boy who was bred to guarantee another’s survival find his own purpose in life? And can he ever be free?