The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Volume I, written by M. T. Anderson

If you have read my other blog posts, you may have noticed that I focus on the plot and characters in a novel a lot more than I focus on the actual writing and writing style. If you haven't noticed, then it's okay, I forgive you. :) For me to enjoy a novel, it has to have a good overall plot and a likable main character. The writing style isn't as important; I'd rather read a book with a good plot and bad writing than one with a bad plot but good writing. I think this is why I did not enjoy Suite Scarlett and The Moon and More as much as other people. Both Maureen Johnson and Sarah Dessen are great writers (writing-style wise) and you can tell when reading their novels, but I cannot push myself to enjoy a book if the plot and main character/narrator are not equally as good.

That being said, the plot of The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, Volume I (the length of the title being about the same length as the novel itself) could have been absolute crap and the writing would have made it all worth while.

"But Brianna," you say, while glaring into your computer screen, "that makes absolutely no sense! You just said that writing style doesn't mean anything to you!"

And to you, I say, "Stop talking to your computer; people are starting to think you are crazy."

Okay fine, I know this makes me a hypocrite, but this book is like reading poetry, if poetry always sounded beautiful and made sense (which is doesn't). I knew I would love the writing after reading the last line of the first chapter: "How doth all that seeks to rise burn itself to nothing." Isn't that amazing? I'm thinking it would make an awesome tattoo, but in the context of the book, it means that those that strive for greatness and power will eventually fall into nothingness. Which isn't exactly uplifting. But still beautiful, right?

You will have to read the book in order to fully appreciate how excited I am about the writing, but if you (like me) think that plot is way more important, than lucky you! The plot is weird and wonderful too! Though there are a few things I need to warn you about first.

This book includes:

• Ye olde fashion English, including a large amount of "thee"s, "thou"s, and "dost"s 
• Historical accuracy (and some inaccuracy, but I still love you M. T. Anderson)
• Philosophy

and a few other things that you probably aren't looking for in a book to read for fun. But the English used is not like Shakespearean English or even Arthur Miller English; it's pretty easy to read! And the book is about an African boy who grows up in the mid-18th century in a philosophical college as an experiment, and his life as an experiment and *SPOILERS* escape.

I don't know if I've convinced you to read this book or not, but if I have, then Yay! Go read it now! And if I haven't, then who cares! Go read it now anyways! Because you won't regret it. 

And if you do, then that sucks for you, cause I still got you to read it, so I win. :)