The House of the Scorpion
Farmer, N.
2002
New York: Simon Pulse
Age Range: 12+
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: 5/5


Matteo Alacrán (Matt) is the clone of El Patrón, drug lord supreme of Opium - a new country on the borders of the United States and what was once Mexico. Matt grows up not really understanding who or what he is, but at the age of 6 he realizes that things aren't exactly right in his world. Although his caregiver Celia tries to protect him, he eventually comes to know how people in Opium treat clones by personal experience. Matt must fight against all he knows to save himself and to prove to those he loves that he is more than just a photograph of a person.

Matt is as human a character as any I've read; he is smart, witty, cruel, powerful, caring and complex. Farmer creates a wonderful juxtaposition between Matt as a clone who is not supposed to be human, and El Patrón's family, who are "human," but vastly inhumane. Throughout the hardships that Matt must face, we ultimately see him become a strong and moral person based on the decisions he makes.

The House of the Scorpion is a wonderful commentary on our society's adoration of scientific development, on the importance we place on social politics, and especially on the ethical limitations that we may one day cross. But it is much more than that - it's a really, really, really great book! The character development is precise, the plot is totally engaging, the themes are deep and disturbing, and Farmer doesn't let the reader down at any point, even the ending (which, let's be honest, is often the weakest spot).

A fabulous read for adults and young adults alike, House of the Scorpion gets FULL marks from this librarian-in-training!