Uglies
Registered by themarina of Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada on 1/4/2009
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
2 journalers for this copy...
From Amazon.com:
Youngblood lives in a futuristic society that acculturates its citizens to believe that they are ugly until age 16 when they'll undergo an operation that will change them into pleasure-seeking "pretties." Anticipating this happy transformation, Tally meets Shay, another female ugly, who shares her enjoyment of hoverboarding and risky pranks. But Shay also disdains the false values and programmed conformity of the society and urges Tally to defect with her to the Smoke, a distant settlement of simple-living conscientious objectors. Tally declines, yet when Shay is found missing by the authorities, Tally is coerced by the cruel Dr. Cable to find her and her compatriots–or remain forever "ugly." Tally's adventuresome spirit helps her locate Shay and the Smoke. It also attracts the eye of David, the aptly named youthful rebel leader to whose attentions Tally warms. However, she knows she is living a lie, for she is a spy who wears an eye-activated locator pendant that threatens to blow the rebels' cover. Ethical concerns will provide a good source of discussion as honesty, justice, and free will are all oppressed in this well-conceived dystopia. Characterization, which flirts so openly with the importance of teen self-concept, is strong, and although lengthy, the novel is highly readable with a convincing plot that incorporates futuristic technologies and a disturbing commentary on our current public policies. Fortunately, the cliff-hanger ending promises a sequel.
Youngblood lives in a futuristic society that acculturates its citizens to believe that they are ugly until age 16 when they'll undergo an operation that will change them into pleasure-seeking "pretties." Anticipating this happy transformation, Tally meets Shay, another female ugly, who shares her enjoyment of hoverboarding and risky pranks. But Shay also disdains the false values and programmed conformity of the society and urges Tally to defect with her to the Smoke, a distant settlement of simple-living conscientious objectors. Tally declines, yet when Shay is found missing by the authorities, Tally is coerced by the cruel Dr. Cable to find her and her compatriots–or remain forever "ugly." Tally's adventuresome spirit helps her locate Shay and the Smoke. It also attracts the eye of David, the aptly named youthful rebel leader to whose attentions Tally warms. However, she knows she is living a lie, for she is a spy who wears an eye-activated locator pendant that threatens to blow the rebels' cover. Ethical concerns will provide a good source of discussion as honesty, justice, and free will are all oppressed in this well-conceived dystopia. Characterization, which flirts so openly with the importance of teen self-concept, is strong, and although lengthy, the novel is highly readable with a convincing plot that incorporates futuristic technologies and a disturbing commentary on our current public policies. Fortunately, the cliff-hanger ending promises a sequel.
I was a little unsure by the opening few pages of Westerfeld's novel and it took the first 10 chapters to really get into the groove of the characters and their motivations but Westerfeld's world is wonderfully imagined; at once freakishly scary and fascinating while at the same time being down right believable. It's an interesting concept and though I didn't buy into right away the story and characters did eventually win me over. I look forward to the rest of the series.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Releasing to Monnibo at March's Vancouver Bookcrossing Meetup.
When:
Tuesday, March 10th, 7PM
Location:
Rhizome Cafe
317 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1A1
Who’s coming?
8 Bookcrossers
Releasing to Monnibo at March's Vancouver Bookcrossing Meetup.
When:
Tuesday, March 10th, 7PM
Location:
Rhizome Cafe
317 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1A1
Who’s coming?
8 Bookcrossers
Got this series from Marina at a BookCrossing meetup.
When I first saw Uglies in the bookstore a couple years ago, I read the back of the novel and immediately rejected it for my then-13-year-old cousin. I was shopping for her birthday gift and didn’t want to give her a book about focusing on outward appearances. It took a little convincing from Marina (who lent me the books) to get it into my “pretty little head” that this book was more than just skin deep. The dystopian themes in the series reminds me of Brave New World and Animal Farm.
The premise of the series is in a post-Rusty world (which was essentially our society), all kids become Pretty on their sixteenth birthday. prettiesThen you get to move out of Uglyville and go to New Pretty Town and party all the time. When you’re a pretty, everything is fun and “bubbly”. The twist is when our main character, Tally, meets Shay — who doesn’t want to become pretty. Shay runs away the week before she’s supposed to turn pretty, leaving Tally. When the authorities realize that Shay has run away, they blackmail Tally into going into the wild to find her. But when Tally reaches the Smoke and gets to know the Smokies (the people that run away and choose to live as Uglies in the wild), she realizes that she doesn’t want to be pretty either.
Uglies is the first book in this series by Scott Westerfeld, and they tackle some very serious subject matter. Unlike other dystopian novels for young adults, this book doesn’t just imply Tally’s displeasure with the current regime. Tally and her friends openly rebel, plot, and deceive to free themselves from their mind-oppression. This series has strong themes that aren’t as subtle as other dystopian YA novels; the characters express open displeasure for the world’s current authorities. Westerfeld has a lot of commentary on the freedom of thought — and it is portrayed extremely well in Tally.
Speaking of Tally, I really like this character. She is a strong female character, but she is also flawed (and not just when she’s ugly). She has friend troubles, boy troubles, and problems with authority. I was compelled when she was in trouble, intrigued when she was crafty, and cringed when she was embarrassed.
Read my full review on my blog.
The premise of the series is in a post-Rusty world (which was essentially our society), all kids become Pretty on their sixteenth birthday. prettiesThen you get to move out of Uglyville and go to New Pretty Town and party all the time. When you’re a pretty, everything is fun and “bubbly”. The twist is when our main character, Tally, meets Shay — who doesn’t want to become pretty. Shay runs away the week before she’s supposed to turn pretty, leaving Tally. When the authorities realize that Shay has run away, they blackmail Tally into going into the wild to find her. But when Tally reaches the Smoke and gets to know the Smokies (the people that run away and choose to live as Uglies in the wild), she realizes that she doesn’t want to be pretty either.
Uglies is the first book in this series by Scott Westerfeld, and they tackle some very serious subject matter. Unlike other dystopian novels for young adults, this book doesn’t just imply Tally’s displeasure with the current regime. Tally and her friends openly rebel, plot, and deceive to free themselves from their mind-oppression. This series has strong themes that aren’t as subtle as other dystopian YA novels; the characters express open displeasure for the world’s current authorities. Westerfeld has a lot of commentary on the freedom of thought — and it is portrayed extremely well in Tally.
Speaking of Tally, I really like this character. She is a strong female character, but she is also flawed (and not just when she’s ugly). She has friend troubles, boy troubles, and problems with authority. I was compelled when she was in trouble, intrigued when she was crafty, and cringed when she was embarrassed.
Read my full review on my blog.
Journal Entry 6 by monnibo at Rhizome Cafe in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (10/13/2009 UTC) at Rhizome Cafe in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Bringing this book to The Lower Mainland BookCrossing October Meetup.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
7pm
Rhizome Cafe
317 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5T 1W5
If no one takes it, it will be on the table by the door.
Bringing this book to The Lower Mainland BookCrossing October Meetup.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
7pm
Rhizome Cafe
317 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5T 1W5
If no one takes it, it will be on the table by the door.
