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The House Of The Scorpion | June 6, 2012

by Nancy Farmer (Simon & Schuster, Jan. 2002)

For oldies but goodies, I like to peruse the backlist of National Book Award winners. In the sci-fi novel, The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer, medicine has progressed to the point that full human cloning is possible. Matteo “Matt” Alacrán lives in Opium—a country between the United States and Aztlán (formerly Mexico) named for its principle crop. Matt is the clone of “El Patrón,” a powerful drug lord who rules the land. While most of society treats clones as subhuman, El Patrón educates and dotes upon his young copy, winning the boy’s affection and respect. But when Matt discovers a horrifying truth about El Patrón’s plans for him, he flees Opium . . . only to run straight into the clutches of a cruel labor camp for orphaned boys in Aztlán.

The House of the Scorpion is so much more than your average sci-fi thrill ride; it’s exciting, to be sure, but what really captivated me was the unique protagonist—a tender, tragic boy in whom I grew deeply invested as I watched him age and gain complexity throughout the novel. The cloning plot brings up ethical questions, and Matt’s experience of being born into second-class citizenship raises ever-relevant questions about prejudice. This book wouldn’t leave me alone for days after I finished it. A must-read, even if—perhaps especially if—you don’t think you’re a sci-fi fan!

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