When I first saw Uglies in the bookstore a couple years ago, I read the back of the novel and immediately rejected it for my then-13-year-old cousin. I was shopping for her birthday gift and didn’t want to give her a book about focusing on outward appearances. It took a little convincing from Marina (who lent me the books) to get it into my “pretty little head” that this book was more than just skin deep. The dystopian themes in the series reminds me of Brave New World and Animal Farm.
The premise of the series is in a post-Rusty world (which was essentially our society), all kids become Pretty on their sixteenth birthday. Then you get to move out of Uglyville and go to New Pretty Town and party all the time. When you’re a pretty, everything is fun and “bubbly”. The twist is when our main character, Tally, meets Shay — who doesn’t want to become pretty. Shay runs away the week before she’s supposed to turn pretty, leaving Tally. When the authorities realize that Shay has run away, they blackmail Tally into going into the wild to find her. But when Tally reaches the Smoke and gets to know the Smokies (the people that run away and choose to live as Uglies in the wild), she realizes that she doesn’t want to be pretty either.
Uglies and Pretties are the first two books in this series by Scott Westerfeld, and they tackle some very serious subject matter. Unlike other dystopian novels for young adults, this book doesn’t just imply Tally’s displeasure with the current regime. Tally and her friends openly rebel, plot, and deceive to free themselves from their mind-oppression. This series has strong themes that aren’t as subtle as another dystopian YA novel I just finished; the characters express open displeasure for the world’s current authorities. Westerfeld has a lot of commentary on the freedom of thought — and it is portrayed extremely well in Tally.
Speaking of Tally, I really like this character. She is a strong female character, but she is also flawed (and not just when she’s ugly). She has friend troubles, boy troubles, and problems with authority. I was compelled when she was in trouble, intrigued when she was crafty, and cringed when she was embarrassed.
I can’t tell you too much about what happens in Pretties without giving away the ending of Uglies. However, as soon as I closed the back cover of Uglies, I walked over to the bookshelf and picked up Pretties.
September 1, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Intersting. Love the use of “dystopian’!
September 2, 2009 at 5:43 am
Interesting! If I didn’t have an overgrown to read list already, I’d add these to it. I like a compelling character, and Tally sounds very compelling.
September 2, 2009 at 6:03 am
i JUST saw these books at the library last night…and passed them by! now i’m kicking myself. i didn’t realize the depth of them. next week i’m picking them up! thank you for the review–i might have missed these without your input!
September 2, 2009 at 7:36 am
This is why I always have at least 2 books in a series before I start reading…I hate it when the second book is not available on my shelf after finishing the first.
I’m glad you enjoyed these.
September 2, 2009 at 8:51 am
I’m happy to see you gave them a shot Monica. They certainly impressed me and I’m happy to see you’re enjoying them as much as I did!
September 3, 2009 at 10:57 am
The story’s starting point is similar to the plot line from and old Twilight Zone episode. It’s different enough that it’s not a copy, but definitely could be an inspired by.
Do I assume correctly this is aimed at young adult?