The House of the Scorpion

One book that has affected my life positively is the book “The House of the Scorpion” by Nancy Farmer. This story was done as an in class reading assignment in the 7th grade and it has been my favorite book ever since. The story is about Matteo Alacran, who is a clone of the drug lord El Patron. The book quotes, “El patron loves Matt as he loves himself, because Matt is himself. Throughout the entire story Matt struggles to define himself and understand himself because he discriminated for being different.

 

One reason I enjoy the book more than others is the total characterization of the family members and friends of the story. The developed views and actions of Tam Lin, the tough bodyguard with a soft side. Celia, the women who wanted to be Matt’s mama but knew she couldn’t. El Patron, the cruel hearted man, with wicked views. Celia once stated about El Patron, I'll tell you this: El Patron has his good side and his bad side. Very dark indeed is his majesty when he wants to be. When he was young, he made a choice, like a tree does when it decides to grow one way or the other. He grew large and green until he shadowed over the whole forest, but most of his branches are twisted. “Of course, there is also Matt, good hearted Matt. He began as a confused boy, only to learn his true self and where he belongs. The book quotes, “He couldn't see much difference between himself and Tom, but perhaps he was different inside.”

 

The second reason this is my favorite book is the sudden realization that Matt discovers he is different. Nancy Farmer takes this reaction in such a way that you really came to understand Matt as someone that wasn’t all that different. He discovers this through the others in the El Patron estate, like Maria, Rosa, and Emilia.

 

I definitely recommend this book who likes a thriller, with many emotions that can be changed within a page of the book.

 

 

House of the Scorpion Review

 

When I heard I had to read a book in my 7th grade language arts, and do an analysis, I instantly had negative thoughts on the book. But, as I continued to read the book, I really enjoyed it. I liked how I could relate to the teenage boy protagonist, Mateo Alacran. And, after the analysis and large project, I understood it more than ever. I learned the extreme descriptions from Nancy Farmer and the emotions she could force on the reader.