Book Club Cancelled, but the Discussion Lives On!
December 20, 2012
Our book club cannot meet tonight due to road conditions, but we will still discuss our book here. Below you'll find a summary of the book we read, Matched by Ally Condie and the questions to answer.
Summary: The idea for Matched came in 2008 when author Ally Condie's husband asked her, "What if someone wrote the perfect algorithm for lining people up, and the government used it to decide who you married, when you married, etc.?" That’s the world we find when Matched begins. Our hero, Cassia Reyes, is on her way to her matching ceremony with family, and a fellow attendee, Xander, and his family. Cassia and Xander are great friends, and yet she is still surprised to find she has been matched to him. However, when Cassia goes to view the information provided about her match, she sees another face and another set of information for a neighbor and schoolmate, Ky. Cassia’s story is one about finding love vs. having love assigned. It’s about being your own person in a world where every part of your life and death is mapped out by others.
Matched Questions:
- How does the Society of Matched compare with other dystopian rulers like the government of Panem?
- Cassia’s grandfather gave her a poem. What artifact would you pass down?
- What did you find most comforting about the world the Society built?
- What did you find most frightening?
- Ky or Xander?
- Are you planning to read the two sequels? If so, what do foresee for Cassia, Ky, and Xander?
Claycomo Staff
Claycomo Branch
Comments
Julie's Thoughts
Julie was conflicted. Matched was not an easy sell. She said she didn't think she actually liked it, but it didn't stop her from ordering the next two books. She didn't want to comment to much more as she gave up on the trilogy midway through book two.
Julie said she loved other YA titles like Twilight and the Hunger Games, but Matched didn't do it for her.
Abby's Thoughts
Abby loved Matched and was addicted to the story from the beginning. She quickly read the next two and enjoyed the trilogy as a whole. She was also a Team Xander champion and thought he seemed like the better fit (and the better looking guy) from the beginning.
Morgan's Thoughts
Yes, she like it and said that the universe owed her closure from the Giver. She is continuing the series and said she feels Xander is a gamer, and Ky is too Emo. She said Cassia needs to go be Cassia for a few more years before she takes a lover.
Laura's Thoughts
Laura wanted Cassia to end up with Xander as well. She said the first book made her curious about the rest of the trilogy, the second book really hooked her, but the third dragged on and didn't end the way she wanted it to.
My Thoughts
1. I think the government in Matched is just as ruthless as the government in the Hunger Games. It seems less bloody, but you know it's just as devious.
2. I would pass down a short story about my family - a personal history.
3. I like the idea that we could live in a world free of disease.
4. The pills - I don't want anyone tampering with my memory.
5. Xander all the way. So sorry ladies, but I think he was her true match.
6. I did read the next two books. I didn't love the ending, but it wasn't what I guessed either.
Andie P.
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