Some novels grow on me over time. Some draw me in during the first few pages. Some have me at "Hello." The novel, Every Day, falls squarely into category number three. With one of the more intriguing premises I've ever heard, the story follows "A", a disembodied entity who wakes up in a new body every morning. He/she spends one day living as the invaded person, and one day only, before waking up in a fresh body the next morning. A doesn't have a past, just memories of the borrowed lives. How mysterious!
After sixteen years of inhabiting progressively older bodies, A has developed a code of survival. The rules are simple: don't get too attached to the host, don't do anything out of the ordinary, and leave no trace behind. All that changes the day he wakes up as sixteen-year-old Jason, and meets the boy's girlfriend, Rhiannon. The girl possesses a depth of character and vulnerability of spirit that immediately draws A to her. By evening, A reaches a fateful decision. A wants to be with Rhiannon for more than just one day. In fact, A wants to be with her every day thereafter. Unable to stay in Jason's body, A must find creative ways to be with Rhiannon no matter whose body he/she inhabits over the ensuing weeks. These attempts begin to expose his/her existence to others, and puts both A and Rhiannon in peril.
The strength of the story is A's description of the inhabited lives, and of the insight into the problems and flaws of the unsuspecting hosts. In full disclosure of my prudishness, I must confess that some of the romantic liaisons make me uncomfortable, particularly those of a homosexual or bisexual nature. This story is not for everyone! However, my discomfort forced me to look deeper at the characters of the novel - past the labels that I or society would place on them. There I found the tender souls of the characters so poetically described by the author, and that is what remained as I turned the last page.
I recommend this novel not just for the ingenious premise, but for the journey it promises the reader in terms of seeing through the eyes of many others.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
What Should I Read Next? My Faves: Unwind
Unwind by Neil Shusterman
Mr. Shusterman is one of the most diverse authors of Young Adult literature, having written highly acclaimed novels in the humor, fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres. Unwind represents his bold foray into the dystopian genre, and he does not disappoint.
The novel takes place in an America a generation from now, but very recognizable in most ways. However, this America exists in the aftermath of a second civil war, which was fought to determine when life begins, and whether abortion of any kind is acceptable. A stalemate resulted in a horrific compromise where everybody lost. Abortions were disallowed, but a parent could remand any child under the age of 18 to the state for unwinding - a process where every part of the child's body is harvested and donated to those in need of a new organ, a new limb, or even new hair. The story follows a trio of 'unwinds' who escape the system and attempt to remain hidden until their respective 18th birthdays. Connor is a rebellious teen sent for unwinding by his parents because of his repeated trouble-making. Risa is an orphan whose talents are not sufficient to save her from unwinding. Most heart-breaking is Lev - a child raised from birth for the sole purpose of unwinding as an offering by his parents to God.
The fascination of Shusterman's story is not so much what happens to the teens on their journey toward freedom, but rather the presentation of a society that has become the ultimate paradox: one that saves unborn babies only to sacrifice them as teens; one that forces a child to become expendable so that others might live fuller and longer lives. When embarking upon the reading of this novel, I felt that the idea of such a society and such a terrible compromise was a bit far-fetched. I still do - perhaps I have too much faith in humanity. However, despite my feelings, I found myself genuinely aching for the characters as expendable members of society. More chillingly, I recognized the traits, thought processes, and behaviors of those defending and participating in the unwinding process - I have seen those traits and mindsets in people I know. Far-fetched or not, the novel demonstrated powerfully a weakness of human nature - our ability to rationalize evil behavior and accept it as status quo. Recent history shows that entire nations can adopt this mindset with terrible consequences, such as child slavery, female suppression, and genocide.
The most powerful scene of the novel is when the author takes us into the secret unwinding room, and follows the unwinding of a character we have come to know. Because the victim is forced to be awake for the entire procedure, the reader experiences the physical and emotional horror of unwinding through the thoughts and senses of the character. That scene alone sets this novel apart from any other I have read. I highly recommend this novel to anyone willing to face questions of deep moral ambiguity. I guarantee that you will think about this one long after reading the final page.
Mr. Shusterman is one of the most diverse authors of Young Adult literature, having written highly acclaimed novels in the humor, fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres. Unwind represents his bold foray into the dystopian genre, and he does not disappoint.
The novel takes place in an America a generation from now, but very recognizable in most ways. However, this America exists in the aftermath of a second civil war, which was fought to determine when life begins, and whether abortion of any kind is acceptable. A stalemate resulted in a horrific compromise where everybody lost. Abortions were disallowed, but a parent could remand any child under the age of 18 to the state for unwinding - a process where every part of the child's body is harvested and donated to those in need of a new organ, a new limb, or even new hair. The story follows a trio of 'unwinds' who escape the system and attempt to remain hidden until their respective 18th birthdays. Connor is a rebellious teen sent for unwinding by his parents because of his repeated trouble-making. Risa is an orphan whose talents are not sufficient to save her from unwinding. Most heart-breaking is Lev - a child raised from birth for the sole purpose of unwinding as an offering by his parents to God.
The fascination of Shusterman's story is not so much what happens to the teens on their journey toward freedom, but rather the presentation of a society that has become the ultimate paradox: one that saves unborn babies only to sacrifice them as teens; one that forces a child to become expendable so that others might live fuller and longer lives. When embarking upon the reading of this novel, I felt that the idea of such a society and such a terrible compromise was a bit far-fetched. I still do - perhaps I have too much faith in humanity. However, despite my feelings, I found myself genuinely aching for the characters as expendable members of society. More chillingly, I recognized the traits, thought processes, and behaviors of those defending and participating in the unwinding process - I have seen those traits and mindsets in people I know. Far-fetched or not, the novel demonstrated powerfully a weakness of human nature - our ability to rationalize evil behavior and accept it as status quo. Recent history shows that entire nations can adopt this mindset with terrible consequences, such as child slavery, female suppression, and genocide.
The most powerful scene of the novel is when the author takes us into the secret unwinding room, and follows the unwinding of a character we have come to know. Because the victim is forced to be awake for the entire procedure, the reader experiences the physical and emotional horror of unwinding through the thoughts and senses of the character. That scene alone sets this novel apart from any other I have read. I highly recommend this novel to anyone willing to face questions of deep moral ambiguity. I guarantee that you will think about this one long after reading the final page.
What Should I Read Next? My Faves: Incarceron
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Although a captive in Incarceron prison, Flinn adamantly believes that he is there by mistake. Incarceron is more than a prison: it is a structure so vast and timeless that millions of prisoners reside within its dark interior for generation upon generation. Unlike the others who have been residents since birth, Flinn has no memories of his past in prison, but in fact indistinct memories of another place.
Although a captive in Incarceron prison, Flinn adamantly believes that he is there by mistake. Incarceron is more than a prison: it is a structure so vast and timeless that millions of prisoners reside within its dark interior for generation upon generation. Unlike the others who have been residents since birth, Flinn has no memories of his past in prison, but in fact indistinct memories of another place.
Claudia is
the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and heir to the privileges of that
position. Despite her lofty status, she feels out of place and dissatisfied
with the role she has been asked to accept, which includes an impending
marriage to the despicable prince of the kingdom. Both Flinn and Claudia appear
fated to their bleak futures until a mysterious pair of devices bring them into
verbal contact. Together they work to escape their prisons, his physical and
hers psychological, and unlock the mystery that is Incarceron.
Ms. Fisher
creates an extraordinary world both inside and outside the prison, dripping
with atmosphere and renaissance culture. He creates highly believable
characters complete with flaws and virtues, and crafts genuine relationships
amongst them. This terrific novel is part one of a continuing series, but is
highly entertaining as a standalone work.
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