08 June 2010

Book Review: Matched

Title:  Matched
Author:  Ally Condie
Release Date: November 30, 2010

Challenges: 100+ Reading Challenge, 42 ChallengeWomen UnBound,  Sci-Fi Challenge, YA Reading Challenge, Hogwarts Reading Challenge,

Buy  |  Borrow  |  Accept  |  Avoid

Plot Synopsis
In Cassia's world, the Society determines everything: what you eat, what you wear, where you work, how many kids you have, when you die...you get the picture.  Her story begins with her Matching Ceremony, the moment in time she will learn who she is to marry. Typically, Matched couples are from different cities, but Cassia's match is her best friend, Xander.  When Cassia uploads the microcard which will give her Xander's information, she is pleased to see his face.  But then for one brief moment, another boy's face flashes across the screen. Another boy she knows. Cassia now wonders who is her real Match?  And who does she love?

My Thoughts
Dystopian literature revs me up. Excessively controlled, socially repressive society captivates my imagination with its focus on individual freedom versus community success.  Few can argue that the world in dystopian literature, Matched included, has its benefits.  Comfort, health, safety, a sense of purpose and place, these are positive additions to life.  It is always, however, at the expense of choice; life is controlled by a select group of people who are more concerned with logic than emotion.  And despite efforts and ego, humans are primarily emotional beings.

Specific to this book, I felt the story well-crafted if a bit lacking in depth.  For example, I would have enjoyed more backstory on the origins of the Society and more details on their level and methods of control.  Also, the relationship between Ky and Cassia felt a bit random.  It was sort of like love-at-first-sight except the two had known each other for some time. It's not until Cassia sees Ky's face as her Match that she begins to have romantic feelings for him.  I needed a bit more explanation for that.  First thought says Cassia was just too indoctrinated to harbor feelings for someone, but the book makes it pretty clear that teenagers still engage in flirtations with at least some kissing.  So why hasn't Cassia crushed on Ky before this?

Overall though, I really enjoyed the book.  I could read it for long stretches of time without getting bored, a giant plus in my opinion, and my appetite has been whetted for the remaining two books in the trilogy.  At least, I'm pretty sure it's a trilogy...it better be.

The Filmic Connection
If they were to film this book, I would like to see Logan Lerman play Ky.  Lerman, for those who don't know, played Percy Jackson in the film version of Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief.


For Cassia I chose Emma Roberts:

And for Xander, David Kross:

I'd like to stress that this is based almost entirely on looks; I know very little of their acting abilities.  How superficial is that?

Matched Around the Web
If I've missed your review, let me know!

Ally Condie's website; at Goodreads;

Check out Amy's review at Amy Reads and Alix's review at Rebellious Readers

Question: Why in the world does Blogger spell check not recognize the word "dystopian"? I mean really????

10 comments:

  1. I actually thought Cassia's interest in Ky was perfectly natural - she was shown something forbidden and given private information about him that she shouldn't know. It intrigues her and draws her closer. I imagine Ky has always felt about her this way, and I do wonder if he was somehow involved in getting his name into the pool.

    I sort of wish you could read my book now...

    ps - blogger spellchecker doesn't recognize the word "Rebecca" either. It's kind of lame.

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  2. Great choice of characters! I definitely liked the book more than you did, I did see it as more natural for the same reasons Amanda did. Show someone what they can't have and they will start wanting to know more! heh. Also, wordpress doesn't recognize dystopian either. Silly.

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  3. Great choice of characters! I definitely liked the book more than you did, I did see it as more natural for the same reasons Amanda did. Show someone what they can't have and they will start wanting to know more! heh. Also, wordpress doesn't recognize dystopian either. Silly.

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  4. It probably *is* a trilogy, simply because almost everything is these days :P I'm glad you enjoyed it overall. I feel the same way you do about dystopian lit.

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  5. Because Blogger is lame. Just sayin'.

    This sounds pretty interesting...I think I'm doomed to perpetually lust after books.

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  6. Well, the book sounds a bit shallow so why shouldn't your casting choices be too?

    And I do consider it a plus if I can read for long stretches of time without being bored. It is pretty much a requirement!

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  7. Amanda - I would love to read your book!

    Amy - I guess I'm forgetting the whole teenager part of things. Forbidden love and the such not.

    Ana - Everything is a trilogy these days, isn't it?!?

    Jill - Blogger is a bit lame, especially after my 24 hours of not being able to post!

    Jenners - Shallowness is rewarded by shallowness!

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  8. While I like your review and the book sounds OK... I'm just not sold on putting it on my insane TBR list... I think this is something I'll just get from the library.

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  9. Tara - I would say it's a good library book. Once the next comes out, I'll probably have a giveaway.

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  10. I enjoy dystopian fiction too, and I love the way you articulated why it's so compelling.

    Funny -- when I read a novel I tend to cast known actors in the roles of certain characters and "watch" the book, in my head, as if it's a movie. Methinks you and I might have a lot in common.

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