Wednesday, October 26, 2011
After Reading: The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?
This fascinating novel represents a stunning new direction for acclaimed author Mary Pearson. Set in a near future America, it takes readers on an unforgettable journey through questions of bio-medical ethics and the nature of humanity. Mary Pearson's vividly drawn characters and masterful writing soar to a new level of sophistication.
I've heard about this book quite a few times before, but I finally had the chance to pick it up. There was good reason for the rumors I've heard. I was fully drawn into this book and had a hard time putting it down. There was a lot of deeper meaning, introspection, and questions regarding where the world is going. Due to my line of work, I am regularly keeping tabs on the future of what we'll be able to do with our bodies (mostly genetically, but through technology also), so this was a big draw for me. I love that Pearson didn't shy away from the questions of what it means to be human, and the other topics she touches on throughout the book. Jenna herself was a bit frustrating to me at points, but it was easy to see that was her character, even if I couldn't quite understand why she was so dead-set on being rebellious. Overall, definitely a book to check out!