The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing - Traitor to the Nation

Incorporating fictional letters and slave advertisements, this imaginative first person narrative depicts the Revolutionary War era by mimicking language usage of the time. Anderson's entertaining and moving polemic about civil rights and racial prejudice is stretched on a canvas which also explores the ethics of scientific research gone astray. Highly original, the text contains well-drawn characters, an exciting plot and stunning moments of insight. Octavian's relationship with his princess-turned-slave mother is exceptionally well-rendered. The book masterfully asks the reader to imagine the most gruesome abuses of slavery. At the high school where I teach, an Armenian student saw me reading the book and said with enthusiasm, "I read that!" Although I skimmed sections of history at the end, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this ambitious endeavor.

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.

M. T. Anderson, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, vol. I: The Pox Party (Candlewick, 2006)

While The Pox Party does take a while to get underway, it's quite an absorbing little book once it does. Anderson gives us the beginnings of the American Revolution as seen through the eyes of Octavian, an educated slave from Boston who only gradually becomes aware that he is a slave. Once he does, things start moving. Note that this seems to be a love-it-or-hate-it book, and the most common factor that I've found is the writing style, which is consciously archaic; if flowery language bogs you down, this definitely isn't a book for you. I did find that Anderson's writing style here hindered the pace at various times, and it took me a great deal longer to read this than it would have had he done even a little streamlining. I plan on reading the next book, but I probably won't look forward to it quite as much as I did to this one, now that I know what's coming. ***

If this is written for young adults, it's written for highly intelligent young adults. I am 34 years old and found it thoroughly compelling. I have been reading a lot of historical fiction lately, and though this is more properly fiction set in an historical setting (none of the characters are historic figures), this ranks very highly among others of the genere. This is a facinating character study and also a polemic, not so much against slavery (who isn't against it in this day and age), so much as it is against our modern notions about America's "pure" crusade for self-determination in the Revolutionary War. The book confronts a society that is at once fighting for it's Liberty from England, yet cannot quite bring itself to give liberty to all of it's people, for we still held our slaves in cruel and terrible bondage at that time. Highly ironic and even angry, this story makes us question some of the most basic assumptions we hold dear about the founding of America and those who founded it.

With "Octavian Nothing," M.T. Anderson provides us with not only a coming of age story, but also with a detailed and accurate history which is frequently glossed over. His prose is eloquent and lively, and he does not attempt to mollycoddle the readers the way many other authors writing for young adults.
For this masterpiece of storytelling, I give 5 stars. You better believe I am going to read this to my children.

Despite the 18th cent. language, the story flows easily enough, what with the weird, playful and horrific characters and happenings in this book. What they do to Octavian's mom to try to cure her from the pox will make your eyeballs fall out. No wonder he was in freakin' shock for months. Jiminy crickets! The last scene with the iron mask and Mr. Sharpe is another hair-curler. FOR EVERYONE. Should be required reading in middle and high schools.

What a great book! After years of looking through my Young Adult section in the library for something other than mind-numbing chick lit, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Despite other reviews, I must say I thought it was perfectly acceptable for a Young Adult book. I dunno, I'm a teenager and I didn't find it difficult reading at all. I was delighted with the philosophical and historical references. It was a lot of fun to read while taking a philosophy course, that's for sure! Wonderful prose, catching characters, witty... I laughed and laughed, I cringed, cried... The ending left me in breathless silence, quickly followed by an outburst of "Noo!! When is the sequel coming out??"

This is considerably less than the sum of its parts. As I have written a period novel set in the same time, the language was a pleasure and no barrier to enjoyment. It was obviously well researched. But what a dreary endeavor this is. Octavian's own narrative, cold and distant as it was, kept my interest. But it lost me when the narrative fragmented into a series of deliberately misspelled and labored letters from those who encountered Octavian on his sad journey. Flipping ahead, I see that the main character once again fell into the clutches of the villainous Mr. Sharpe. I would have flung the book across the room at that point, only to remember it was a library book, so I set this depressing tome carefully aside. The only thing astonishing about it is that this manuscript found a publisher.

This is a well-written, well-plotted historical novel with an unusually imaginative premise. It takes place in the late 18th century.

I have no idea why it is marketed as a "teen" novel -- it is not a fantasy, nor is it light reading, and it has a number of very disturbing sequences. This is not to say that a well-read, intelligent teen with mature tastes would not enjoy the book -- but the book should be marketed to adults, who are far more likely to appreciate it.

I won't spoil the book by giving a synopsis -- it has a number of surprises, so I advise potential readers to read the book without too much foreknowledge.

I am very much looking forward to the sequel.

Octavian Nothing a historical fiction set in 18th century America illuminates society, politics, education, philosophy and science including a very controversial human experiment. I found it truly thought provoking and look forward to the sequel.

This is rated for grades 9 and up. The writing style and concepts are not lightweight by any means. I think adults will appreciate it as much as teens who are looking for challenging literature.

This book was incredible! I was absolutely riveted by Octavian's story. The author slowly reveals the world around Octavian as he became aware of it. It felt that I was there, seeing everything for the first time with Octavian. His feelings for his mother, his curiosity about all around him, his horror of slavery, and his anger about being treated unjustly.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I eagerly await the next volume of Octavian's Astonishing Life.

As a history teacher, I loved this book. I agree with other reviewers that not every high school kid though will be able to get past the primary source style of writing, but those that can I think will really appreciate the story as well. I found it to be a quick read that kept me interested throughout. I'm waiting for the sequel to hit paperback.

This book was amazing. It is definitely challenging, but as a teenager I love to embrace challenges in my reading. After you get accostumed to the language used, it gets easier to read and it is deeply rewarding at the end. However, if you like easy, fluffy reads, this is not for you.

This is an excellent book. This book is worthy of being a classic. This book demands rereading. There are a few dull parts, but it's only in the beginning. After that, this book gets a lot better. It's 351 pages. I am looking forward to volume 2. If you hear someone saying that they don't like this book because it's boring...well, that is because everyone is reading too much Gossip Girl now that no one can appreciate a good book without saying it's boring. I totally judge any parent that buys Gossip Girl or Meg Cabot for their kids.

Although a well thought out and creative plot, Anderson's language at times feels so forced and contrived it hurts.
Realizing that it is only the First Volume, the end is still achingly inconclusive and the character seems to go through somewhat superficial transformation in the reader's eye. (Why exactly must he all of a sudden desert all that he knows? Is this some hormonal product, or a true change of character? Read on to find out!!)
Good effort, medium execution. B/B+

By juxtaposing the French and American Revolutions with the scientific revolution the flaws and strengths of revolution are demonstrated. The scientific method's misuse is very well shown.
Octavian has a real, thoughtful, insightful voice and one is able to see things as he sees them. I have recommended the book to many of my high school students and they have been drawn in by the story it tells.They have thought and read more about the period. It has also sparked some great conversations.

Anderson's Octavian Nothing blasts it verily into the vast and unremarked furthest reaches of yesterday's news. Wow.

'Young adult' fiction? Well, as they say, whatever. I just want to know when the movie is coming out. Perchance those concerned may forthwith get on with it, already.

This is a true marvellous and inspiring book! The story of Octavian reflects the contemporary struggle to find identity and meaning in a world where we are held captive by inherited ideas and concepts. I would recommend this book to readers who are seeking to develop self-reliance and trust in the face of great adversity! Mick Quinn - Author of Power and Grace - The Wisdom of Awakening.

this is a facinating book about an african american boy and his mother and their struggles in the 1770's. while is is an interesting story it is written in first person entries into a diary from someone who is not educated in the english language therefore it is challenging to read but worth thr effort.

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.

It's archaic language appeals to teachers who are aficionados of period literature but not to YA's. The main problem of this, and other books, is its hating on science. It is true science was used in the defense of racism, but it was also used against it. Modern leftists cherry-pick their way through the sources and ignore how science was used to destroy racism. Racism has gone on for thousands of years, but modern science only the last few hundred and science, ultimately, helped end the intellectual respectability of racism.

I thought that Octavian Nothing sounded like a great book for teens, and so I bought the book as soon as it came out. The plot sounded good from the description, not like many teen books that are pure fluff. It took me a long time to get through and I was happy when it was finally over. I was very disappointed how it turned out, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

I loved this book. I don't understand the complaints of those who found it slow. The main author was one of the most authentic voices I have heard in literature. The writing was masterful and beautiful. Granted, the language of the time must have been as ornate as the prose the author spins.

I am not exaggerating when I say my hair stood on end twice when reading it. This is a must read for any adult, youthful or not, who has any interest in our system of governance and as the back cover of the book proclaims, what it actually means to call yourself a patriot. I hope this book one day is widely taught and read. It has a remarkable, unerring, poetic telling of the barbarity of human property.

A remarkable book.