The astonishing life of Octavian Nothing, traitor to the nation

For those of us who loved MT Anderson’s Feed, set in a dystopic future where most of the population have implants in their heads, this book will come as quite a surprise although both have the theme of social control running through them. Octavian is set in the 18th century, not only within the context of the story but also in its presentation and language. The author has recreated the flavour of 18th century English to an extraordinary degree:

"In the years as I grew, my mother must have perceived the peculiarity of our situation; but though she may have noted, she did not discover its irregularities to me by word, look or gesture.

Or, by God – I reckon now, now that it is all gone – yea – mayhap she did discover it to me, in every gesture, in all looks, in the space between each work – and I, never knowing her elsewhere, did not know how to parse her warnings and subtility."

This is not a book for those wanting an easy read. The language is sophisticated and events challenging, as Octavian discovers the true reason for the peculiarity of his situation, living in a house of rationalist philosophers for whom experimentation is supreme and, sometimes, fatal. Set against the backdrop of America’s revolutionary war with Britain, the writing is a tour-de-force, perhaps aimed more at adults but worth trying if you have very competent, adventurous senior students.


reviewed by Lisa Allcott