69 pages • 2 hours read
Nancy FarmerThe House of the Scorpion
Nancy FarmerFiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2002A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
380
Novel • Fiction
Opium • Future
2002
YA
12-18 years
Super Short Summary
The House of the Scorpion, set in the futuristic country of Opium, follows the life of Matt, a clone of the drug lord El Patrón, as he grapples with his identity and the ethical dilemmas of cloning. Raised in isolation, Matt struggles with acceptance and respect while uncovering sinister plans for his body. He fights against oppressive systems and seeks to dismantle his creator’s empire. The book contains themes of abuse and ethical dilemmas related to cloning.
Mysterious
Dark
Emotional
Challenging
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
96,501 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer is widely acclaimed for its thought-provoking exploration of identity and ethics within a dystopian landscape. Critics praise its compelling characters and suspenseful plot. Some readers, however, find the pacing uneven and the latter parts rushed. Overall, it's regarded as a rich, engaging narrative suitable for both teens and adults.
Who Should Read The House of the Scorpion?
Fans of dystopian and science fiction novels like The Giver and Ender's Game will enjoy The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. This thought-provoking tale explores themes of identity, ethics, and humanity through the eyes of a young clone in a futuristic society. Ideal for readers aged 12 and up who crave moral complexity and imaginative worlds.
96,501 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
380
Novel • Fiction
Opium • Future
2002
YA
12-18 years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.