Module 6 Book Reviews: Fiction

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
2003 Winner of the Michael L. Printz Honor
2003 Winner of the John Newbery Honor
2002 Winner of the National Book Award, Young People's Literature


1. Bibliography
Farmer, Nancy. 2002. The House of the Scorpion. New York, NY: Simon Pulse. ISBN 0689852223.

2. Plot Summary
A young boy named Matt finds out that he is the clone of El Patron, the 140 year old leader of a strip of poppy fields between the United States and Aztlan. Unbenownst to Matt, he was harvested and raised so that one day his heart could replace El Patron's. Through the combined efforts of his surrogate mother Celia and Tam Lin, the body guard, Matt is saved from this fate, but must escape to Aztlan. Eventually he reaches freedom, but must return to the poppy fields upon El Patron's death and the murders of El Patron's associates. Matt is reunited with Celia and begins to make plans for rebuilding his homeland and destroying all evil activities created by El Patron.

3. Critical Analysis
"Science fiction differs from fantasy not in subject matter but in aim, and its unique aim is to suggest real hypotheses about mankind's future or the nature of the universe" (Jacobs and Tunnel 92).
The House of the Scorpion is a fantastic extension of the current practice of cloning. This work raises many questions about cloning and its ethical implications for our future by presenting a scenario in which cloning has advanced past research and entered into the daily lives of the characters. The questions that this novel raises are: 1) What is our purpose for cloning - to produce brainless robots? To increase life spans by cultivating replacement body parts? ["Everyone brought gifts to El Patron, although there was nothing he didn't already own and not much he could enjoy at the age of 43."] 2) Which distinction should be given to clones - human? animal? neither? 3) If they are human, do they have souls? Can they be baptized? 4) If they are human do they have the ability to improve upon the nature of humankind? [Matt, a kind-hearted clone, makes an observation about a human. "There was something a little off about everything Tom did. He brought his mother drinks, but the glass didn't always seem clean. He opened the door for his grandfather, but he let it swing shut on the old man's heel. It wasn't quite enough to make him fall and it could have been an accident."] 5) If they are animal, or human but we call them animal, then they must not have human rights. Can we own them, control them, mass-produce them, and slaughter them? ["Property of Alacran" is tattooed on Matt's foot.] 6) Since we created them, are we more powerful than God? ["At the head was a huge crucifix and a picture of Our Lord Jesus with His heart pierced by five swords."] 7) Are clones worthy of God? ["This does not belong here!...This unbaptized limb of Satan has no right to make a mockery of the rite! Would you bring a dog to church?"] 8) If they are human and we own them, control them, mass-produce them, and slaughter them, are we no better than Hitler? ["For the first time he realized what a terrile thing it was to be an eejit. He hadn't known any of the others before their operation. They were simply there to do boring jobs. But Rosa had been a real, though cruel and violent, person. No, she was merely a shadow with the life sucked out of her."] 9) When should the government become involved in the decision to approve or disprove cloning? 10) At what cost can the government and/or the public be bribed into approving cloning? [El Patron told the doctors who performed his body part replacement surgeries, "...you'll be even more satisfied with these one-million-dollar checks," and later in the story another says, "Senator Mendoza isn't too proud to have his paw out when El Patron hands around money."] 11) Is money the only motivating factor in the regulation of cloning? 12) Is cloning immoral, or is it only a "science project?" ["Father decided implants were immoral...He's deeply religious. He thinks God put him on earth for a certain number of years and that he mustn't ask for more."] 13) What, really, is the difference between humans and animals? 14) Where does cloning fall into the "natural order?" 15) In the end, is cloning and all of its complexities worth it?

4. Review Excerpts
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Farmer explores vital and soul-searching question about what it means to be human."
ALAN REVIEW: "High school students will connect with Matt as he grows from a frightened little boy to a young man who wrestles with difficult issues and decisions."
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "...Matt's story turns out to be an inspiring tale of friendship, survival, hope, and transcendence. A must-read for SF fans."

5. Connections
Other books by this author:
Farmer, Nancy: THE SEA OF TROLLS. ISBN: 0689867468.
Farmer, Nancy: GIRL NAMED DISASTER. ISBN 0140386351.
Farmer, Nancy: THE EYE, THE EAR, AND THE ARM. ISBN 0689867468.