Plot edit
Marcus Yallow is a 17 year old hacker/techno whiz from future San Francisco. One day at his high school named after Cesar Chavez, Marcus is accused of hacking into the school by vice principal Frederick Benson. Marcus and Benson do not not get along and Marcus believes that Benson is constantly trying to get rid of him. Marcus is let go due to lack of evidence and he returns to class.
Later that day, Marcus and his best friend Darryl escape school to play a massive online role playing game that also involves real life quests. They meet up with fellow group members and game players Vanessa and Jolu. While searching for a part for the game, a series of explosions go off in the city. This sets off sirens and alarms which sends everybody running for the shelters. The group initially tries to go to the shelter but then they decide to leave. While leaving, Darryl is stabbed in the crowd. They finally escape the crowd and flag down a vehicle because Darryl needs immediate medical attention. Three men get out of the military style vehicle and put bags over each group members' head and then shove them into the vehicle.
Marcus and his friends arrive at an unknown location and are put into a trailer where they are separated and are amongst many other people. They find out that they're being held by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be interrogated for suspicions of being connected to the terrorist attack. After a series of interrogations that take place over a period of six days, Marcus, Jolu, and Vanessa are finally released. Darryl's whereabouts are unknown. The DHS tells Marcus that they will be monitoring his actions and moves because he is still a suspect. Marcus is "infuriated at how is civil rights [are] ignored."[1]
Marcus revolts by setting up technological attacks on the DHS in order "to [thwart] further efforts to restrict personal liberty. [2] Marcus also sets up a network primarily composed of teenage members using a game console so they can communicate freely while fighting "the surveillance state."[3] This causes a "war" between revolting youth and the Department of Homeland Security.
When a former prisoner that was held by the DHS tells Marcus that Darryl is still alive, he tells a reporter and his family about his actions taken against the DHS. The report from the reporter is then published and the DHS takes Marcus into custody again. During a waterboarding interrogation, highway patrol troopers raid the DHS compound because of an order from the governor and arrest the DHS agents. Darryl is subsequently freed and Marcus returns to his life the way it was before the terrorist attacks.
Major Themes edit
Little Brother has been found to have many varying themes in it. The book as been stated as "[expressing] astonishment, fear, uncertainty, shame, and guilt"[4] and shows "issues of political authority, social order, individual freedom and electronic security."[5]
Backround edit
Little Brother takes place in the "near future rather than decades or centuries away."[6] Little Brother also makes use of "Obvious parallels to Orwellian warnings and post 9/11 policies."[7]
Awards edit
Little Brother has received the Sunburst Award in the young adult category.[8]
Adaptations edit
The novel has also been the subject of a possible movie. The production company AngryFilms has optioned Little Brother "with the aim of translating it to the big screen."[9]
Author edit
In reference to Little Brother, Cory Doctorow has stated that "the enemy is obscurity, not piracy."[10]
References edit
- ^ Palmer, Jean. "Doctorow, Cory, Little Brother". Kliatt. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ Hunt, Jonathan (2008). "Cory Doctorow: Little Brother". The Horn Book Magazine. 4. 84: 441. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Doctorow, Cory: LITTLE BROTHER". Kirkus Reviews. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Chang, Edie (15 February 2009). "Little Brother". Booklist. 12. 105: 100. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Degen, John (September–October 2008). "Little lessons: Cory Doctorow's 1984 homage is too cool for school". This Magazine. 2. 42: 43. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Chipman, Ian (15 May 2009). "Core Collection: dystopian fiction for youth". Booklist. 18. 105: 50. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Dobrez, Cindy (1 April 2008). "Little Brother". Booklist. 15. 104: 48. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Awards and Announcements". Resource Links. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ Kit, Borys. "Making George Orwell proud: AngryFilms options Doctorow's tale of social activism 'Little Brother'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ Bethune, Brian (5 May 2008). "Scourge of the corporate pirates: the artist's enemy is obscurity, not piracy, says novelist and Web activist Cory Doctorow". Maclean's. 17. 121: 57. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)