Eos – 2000
Blay Raytee lives in a government work-camp in the year 2368. Humanity struggles to heal after the technocaust left the world in ruins. The government maintains its control by instilling fear in the people – the fear of technology. Those few that aren’t afraid, eventually become part of the resistance and fight for the return of a democratic society.
Blay is “saved” from a menial life at the work-camp when she is chosen to assist the new Bioindicator (guardian of the environment). Through her missions with Marrella, Blay learns the world isn’t as she’s always been told. Soon, she is involved in the resistance and through the use of technology, she discovers who she really is.
THE SECRET UNDER MY SKIN was a let down. The world Janet McNaughton created was complicated and the story didn’t contain enough conflict. The small amount of romance included in the story lacked authenticity and the ending was unsatisfying. The technocaust and the role/purpose of the Bioindicator needed more explanation. That being said, I still finished the book – even though it took my all of Spring Break. I kept hoping it would get better.
This book won four awards and was given starred reviews in major reviewing publications. It seems as if you’re probably reading primarily for plot, and this book is about ideas, so it makes sense that you wouldn’t enjoy it, but the fact that you found it unsatisfying may say more about your taste in literature than the quality of the book itself.
As an author, I find it distressing to see how much emphasis is being placed on plot and pacing in YA literature at the moment. I keep wondering who’s going to grow up to read literary fiction.
The answer, of course, may be no one.
Thanks for your comment. Basically I just thought this was a lot of information without enough explanation.
I’m not writing this to defend the book. You may be right. But I believe people who read science fiction wish to be placed in a complex, alternate world and much of the pleasure of reading science fiction comes from actively decoding this world. To provide the readers with explanation would be like unwrapping the present for them. That’s what makes science fiction readers different–they don’t mind feeling disoriented. I could be wrong, but I think this approach is related to a broader scientific world view, and it’s one of the things that makes science fiction unique.
Okay, Karin, now I have a question for you (and anyone else who’s reading this), and I’m asking this sincerely. It’s something that I’ve wondered about for a long time, the sort of thing that rolls around inside a writer’s head at 3 am.
Why conflict?
You said my book “didn’t contain enough conflict.”
Sometimes, kids e-mail me for help with their homework. A few years ago, I began to get e-mails that said things like “what are the conflicts in your story?” I couldn’t answer this question because it wasn’t something I’d ever thought about, and I didn’t want to answer this question, because it’s not something I wish to think about.
Apparently, kids are being taught to understand literature as a series of conflicts. I have no idea why anyone would think this is worthwhile undertaking.
Imagine if someone were to say to you, “I wish to understand your life, please describe all the conflicts you’ve been through.” I am willing to bet most people would protest this approach. Most of us would say, wait, my life isn’t about conflict. It’s about growing and learning and falling in love and being with my friends and joy. It’s about the sensual feeling of being who I am in this time and place. Let me describe my life to you in those terms, and then you will begin to understand me. The few people who might embrace the idea of seeing their lives as a series of conflicts are the sort that would send most of us running from the room.
The idea of accepting conflict as a force that propels my work seems too negative. Yes, conflicts happen, but, if they are the stuff that literature is made of, I’m in the wrong business. I want to write about the positive, creative aspects of life. I want readers to come away from my books feeling hopeful.
So, why conflict?
I have a feeling this is the sort of question that will ultimately drive me out of YA literature, but I would be interested in seeing what people have to say, and I promise not to say anything negative in response, so no one has to worry about my reaction.
Normally, I never react to anything that’s written in blogs about my work, but I wonder about this questions. Obviously, I don’t have the answers, and maybe you do.
Thanks,
Janet
Janet,
Maybe “conflict” is the wrong word. To me, any good story, including YA, needs a pull between good and evil or right and wrong or sadness and happiness to make it a interesting journey for the reader. I haven’t read the book in question because it doesn’t fit into my favorite genre but I think I will give it a try just out of curiosity.
Janet,
Could you give me a summary of this book?
I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
who are the characters of the book the secret under my skin
I just finished this book!Its Auhh-mazing:D I love it and I want a sequel to it!!
i loved your book and i loved all the “conflect” there was all thet lying to help someone and love it was a god book
I am in the mist of reading this book. About to write a blog on it for school. I have to say. I cannot put this book down. The fact that ‘Blay’ or Blake didn’t really know who she was and then found out her name. Yet now I still wonder who Blake is. Like I said I still have half the book to read. I cannot wait. In my head the question still stands, ‘who is Blake Raintree?’ but ‘who am I?’