Book Review: Matched

I'm tempted to give this book five stars because I enjoyed reading it so much. However, logic tells me as much as I enjoyed reading it, Matched, by Ally Condie, was missing vital ingredients required for a five-star masterpiece, like flushed out flawed characters, good descriptive writing (I had a hard time visualizing the setting), and, because it is obviously part of a series, a good ending. Still, for a Young Adult novel, I found myself thinking, thinking, thinking and I'm giving kudos for the thoughts.

Like many futuristic dystopian novels, some government entity, here called The Society, has taken away freedoms in order to eradicate or minimize pain. Unlike many futuristic dystopian novels, this society isn't marked by the gloom, doom, fear and isolation of the individual. Family life is encouraged, nay, scientifically planned. Education, friendships, health and wholesome recreational activities are encouraged. Of course, to ensure all this good fortune is maintained, it is also heavily monitored and regulated. Prescribed happiness.

Though not asked, I believe the central question posed in Matched is, "What makes us happy?" Is it good health? Financial stability? Loving and supportive relationships? As the protagonist, Cassia, frequently reasons, The Society's rules and established order provide for a good life. She has nothing to fear in her future. She has been perfectly matched to marry her best friend, Xander, who happens to be handsome, kind and intelligent. She has been assured of a good job as a sorter, something she enjoys doing and does well. Cassia knows all this and yet, either as an experiment or by accident, something happens that casts a shadow of doubt over everything she has ever known. For the first time, she questions her future. For the first time, she questions period. What she must decide is if her questions bring her closer or further away from the life she ultimately wants.

I can't wait to discuss this with others. I ordered a whole slew of copies for the group of teenage girls I work with at church and hope, through discussion, we can discuss Cassia's choices, planned life and agency. I hope they can identify with her concerns and hopes and fears. I hope they like it as much as I did.