Rating: 
Summary: Science fiction that's too close to believable.
Review: The House of the Scorpion, written by Newberry Honor book author, Nancy Farmer, has earned the National Book Award and is a Junior Library Guild Selection. An excellent example of literary merit, this novel draws you into its unique settings and expansive characters. You truly feel as if you are lost in the Poppy Fields in the midday heat on El Patron's estate or coughing and itching along with Matt as he endures months of captivity in a room filled with chicken litter and roaches. Farmer's characters are so believable you find yourself feeling compassion for a clone, and anger at those who treat him as anything less than human. Farmer cleverly uses figurative language and understatements to slowly build your curiosity and the suspense. You struggle along with Matt as he attempts to understand his purpose and what those who love him are trying desperately to convey to him.
"So many hints! So many clues! Like a pebble that starts an avalanche, Matt's fear shook loose more and more memories. Why had Tam Lin given him a chest full of supplies and maps? Why had Maria run from him when they found MacGregor's clone in the hospital? Because she knew! They all knew!"The characters never are able to tell Matt directly what he so desperately wants to know.
"They're looking for you everywhere.....They've sent bodyguards to comb the stables and fields..... 'Why are they looking for me?' (Matt desperately wants to know.) 'You have to know. Tam Lin said you were too clever not to figure it out.' Matt felt turned to stone. The bodyguard evidently gave him more credit than he deserved. Matt hadn't figured it out- not really-until a few minutes ago." Although this book has a science fictional flair to it, it appeals to a wider range of readers including those who enjoy suspense and mysteries. As well as, readers who are not afraid of controversial topics like cloning, drug lords, brain-deadened eejits and wealth that surpass morals and the laws. Within a classroom, this book could be used to stimulate discussions on present day controversies of cloning, stem cell research as well as nature vs. nurture, since Matt and El Patron had the same DNA however turned out to be very different people.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put it Down
Review: "The House of the Scorpion" is about the clone of a powerful leader and druglord. Matt does not understand what clones are, but thinks of himself as an animal because of the way all the humans treat him. He is taught to love his master, but he is the only one who, in the end, does not know the horrible truth. All the characters are so wonderfully described, it's hard not to fall in love with them. This book truly is a page turner.
Rating:
Summary: deserves 5000000000000 stars
Review: Mien gott...this book is so wonderfull, i cant really explain it. The depth of the characters is amazing. I loved seeing the whole family together, and at the dinners, the way the reacted to each other, I had to go back in the book and read comments some of the family members had said earlier, and I would realize that they were lying, and where their loyalties really lay. I'm not making sense, but I dont care, this book is beautifuly written, and just everything about it, the relationship between maria and matt, it was so real, its just a great book, go buy it now...i wish it couldve lasted longer, its such a pain to leave.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERMUS!!!
Review: I teach 7th grade and saw this book in the library. My first reaction was "How in the world do they expect a young adult to read such a large book....the size would scare them away!" Another teacher read it and told me, "YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!" I checked it out but put it off because...I don't know...Well, after I finally picked it up, I couldn't stop. It has to be one of the best books I have ever read. It was scary how close to reality this science-fiction book hits home. I told my students about this book who told their friends who told their friends and the next thing you know, our one copy of The House of the Scorpion was on a waiting list until the end of the school year! An absolute must read!!! Even for the crowd that shys away from science-fiction...like me. This book is a definate reality check! GET IT NOW>>> YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Science Fiction Adventure
Review: The author brings to life a society that has realistic themes, making it believable, yet is still grounded in science fiction. The society's norms are tragic, chilling and unconventional, and the reader may mistake this for a horror novel. In the first few pages, there is some confusion, since the writer does not explain clearly the time and place where the story will unfold. Not until the last written page does the reader understand what the story is truly about. The writer keeps the reader involved and intrigued. Each chapter reveals a new clue to this future new world order. In every new adventure the writer describes innovative characters and places. The reader will also learn new words in Spanish, which gives the story a more authentic setting.
Rating:
Summary: This book is GREAT
Review: One of the first things you notice about this book are the many award stickers on the cover. Now, I don't usually pay much attention to these stickers, as I've read many that were complete losers. But in this case book deserves all three of those awards, and more besides. This book stays with you long after you've read it. I won't go into detail because one of the best things about the plot is that it keeps you in suspense. You will be as uncertain about the future as Matt himself, the young protagonist. He has a hard life because he is a clone- he legally qualifies as livestock. But in addition to enemies and betrayers, he has good friends, and the story of his life is one no reader will soon forget.
Rating:
Summary: The House of the Scorpion is in a House by Itself
Review: Oh my. I just don't know where to begin.
What can I say to express how much I LOVED this book?
I checked it out from the library with a few hesitations. I was worried that it was going to be a dark, depressing story all about how drugs are bad and bad for you and that kind of crap. I also didn't know if my parents would approve of it if they caught me reading it and read the cover flap which mentions opium.
But I got it and boy did I eat this book up fast. It is truly Nancy Farmer's masterpiece, a true tour-de-force. I have enjoyed every single one of her books, but up until now, she wasn't even close to one of my favorite authors.
The House of the Scorpion changed that.
It is a superb superb SUPERB book that is a work of complete genius. It is thrilling, fast-paced, suspenseful, bizarre, personal, hilarious, and heart-wrenchingly sad. It was one of those books where you have absolutely NO clue how it is going to end. The end of this book flat out shocked me. It was completely surprising.
It is enjoyable and simply a must-read for any person. I warn you, however, that the comprehension level is NOT low.
In short, I would not recommend you wait to buy this book. I have ordered it from Amazon already.
If you are one of those protected people who don't like books about a bad future of the planet, death, or moral questions, this book is not for you. It's full of those things.
Rating:
Summary: Oh.. My.. God..
Review: The House of the Scorpion left my jaw falling to the floor after i finished, and I couldn't blink for 30 minutes. I could not breathe, and my hands could not move. My feet felt like two cement shoes. To get to the point, this book was awesome.
Rating:
Summary: The house of the Scorpian
Review: I loved this BOOK!!! it showed me the light of gettign into a book and loving it. I usally hate reading but this book showed my the way!!!
Rating:
Summary: this is the best book in the world!
Review: well, now i'm only 11, so you may not think that this review is valid, but, take it from me, this is just about as good as you can get in a book this short! (short to me, maybe not to you) this is about a boy named matt. that sounds boring, right? but, mad has many secrets about himself yet to uncover... like, why he lives in a house with a cook from "the house" but has neverseen the outside world, why he has a tatto on his foot that says "propety of the alcetran estate" and many more. if you want a book full of fright, suspence, and amazement, this book is for you!
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