Pratchett, Terry and Lyn. 2008. Nation. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780061767715
Plot Summary
It seems as if the end of the world has come. Two young people, Daphne and Mau, along with a small band of survivors, rebuild Mau’s lost nation. Through the course of reestablishing order, Daphne and Mau learn what it means to be an adult and how to be leaders that others are respectful and proud of.
Critical Analysis
An island similar to one that can be found in the Pacific is the setting for this novel with fictional elements, like animals such as the tree-climbing octopus, that are not too far a stretch from reality. An alternate universe so similar to our own enables the reader to focus on the theme of the story: hope, rebuilding what is lost, and learning the responsibilities of adulthood. This theme is satisfying in that every time Mau faces a challenge that seems overbearing, he shouts his mantra: “Does not happen!” This mantra helps him defeat the barriers that oppose his efforts.
The plot of a natural disaster striking and survivors coming together to rebuild their society is believable. A demonstration of how great nations are made from the ground up and the people who build them are the major foci of this novel. Mau and Daphne are strong lead characters that use their intellect and good sense to survive and help others to survive as well. Anyone who has witnessed a sudden loss of what is normal and loved will identify with this story and cheer on the main characters as obstacles are overcome.
The Pratchetts know people and human nature. This is revealed in the portrayal of Daphne’s self-righteous grandmother and Cox’s evil nature. Although these characters are extremely one-dimensional with exaggerated bad traits, these traits are familiar to the human experience. This book is a wonderful read and makes one hunger to read more of Terry Pratchett’s works, which are plentiful.
The plot of a natural disaster striking and survivors coming together to rebuild their society is believable. A demonstration of how great nations are made from the ground up and the people who build them are the major foci of this novel. Mau and Daphne are strong lead characters that use their intellect and good sense to survive and help others to survive as well. Anyone who has witnessed a sudden loss of what is normal and loved will identify with this story and cheer on the main characters as obstacles are overcome.
The Pratchetts know people and human nature. This is revealed in the portrayal of Daphne’s self-righteous grandmother and Cox’s evil nature. Although these characters are extremely one-dimensional with exaggerated bad traits, these traits are familiar to the human experience. This book is a wonderful read and makes one hunger to read more of Terry Pratchett’s works, which are plentiful.
Awards Won & Review Excerpts
- Michael L. Printz Award, 2009 - Honor Book
- Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, 2009 - Finalist
- Odyssey Award, 2009 - Honor
- Booklist: "Quirky wit and broad vision make this a fascinating survival story on many levels."
- Kirkus Reviews: "A searching exploration of good and evil, fate and free will, both as broad and as deep as anything this brilliant and, happily, prolific author has produced so far."
- Library Media Connection: "Fans of Terry Pratchett will find this an engrossing action story."
- VOYA: "Dark and sometimes funny, this complex tale asks the reader to consider a variety of issues, from identity and tradition to faith and prejudice."
- Terry Pratchett has a Discworld series of books, which includes some award winners. Try the following from this series:
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. ISBN 0060012331
- Try other fantasy works about survival:
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. ISBN 9780439023481
Farmer, Nancy. A Girl Named Disaster. ISBN 0531095398
- Brown-bag book reports are a good way to motivate others to read a book as well as help assess reading comprehension. Try preparing and presenting one for this novel or any of the novels mentioned in this book review.
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