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Little Brother(Doctorow novel)

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Little Brother[1]is a novel byCory Doctorow,published byTor Books.It was released on April 29, 2008.[2]The novel is about fourteenagersinSan Franciscowho, in the aftermath of aterroristattack on theSan Francisco–Oakland Bay BridgeandBARTsystem, defend themselves against theDepartment of Homeland Security's attacks on theBill of Rights.The novel is available for free on the author's website under aCreative Commons license(CC BY-NC-SA), keeping it accessible andremixableto all.[3]

AuthorCory Doctorow
LanguageEnglish
Subjectterrorism,cryptography,computer hackers,Department of Homeland Security,privacy(privacy in education),police state
Genredystopianyoung adult fiction
PublishedApril 29, 2008 (Tor Teen)
Publication placeUnited States
Media typeBook
Pages380
ISBN978-0-7653-1985-2
OCLC176972381
LC ClassPZ7.D66237 Lit 2008
Followed byHomeland

The book debuted at No. 9 onThe New York TimesBest Seller list,children's chapter book section, in May 2008.[4]As of July 2, it had spent a total of six weeks on the list, rising to the No. 8 spot.[5]Little Brotherwon the 2009White Pine Award,[6]the 2009Prometheus Award.[7]and the 2009John W. Campbell Memorial Award.It also was a finalist for theHugo Award for Best Novel.[8]Little Brotherreceived the Sunburst Award in the young adult category.[9]

The New York Timessays,"'Little Brother' isn't shy about its intent to disseminate subversive ideas to a young audience. "The novel comes with twoafterwordessays by cryptographer and computer security specialistBruce Schneier,and hackerAndrew "bunnie" Huang,and has a bibliography of techno-countercultural writings, fromJack Kerouac'sOn the Roadto Schneier's "Applied Cryptography".[10]

HackerPeiter Zatkostated that the book is now used as training material for newNSArecruits in order to give them a different point of view.[11]

Characters

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  • Marcus Yallow– Main protagonist, a 17-year-oldhigh schoolstudent who enjoys understanding technology and building his own custom devices. He is the leader of his foursome of friends.
  • Darryl Glover– Marcus' best friend who attends the same high school as Marcus and is Marcus' second-in-command and the "details man" of the group. He has had a crush on Van for years.
Marcus on limited edition cover
  • Vanessa Pak (Van)– 17-year-oldKorean Americangirl who attends a nearbyall-girlsCatholic school,she is the "ideas" person of the group. She has been attracted to Marcus for a long time, but doesn't admit it until the end of the book. Her parents managed to escape from North Korea.
  • Jose Luis Torrez (Jolu)– A brilliant high school student at a nearby Catholic school, he is the technical member of the group. Even though everyone in the group is technically competent, he is the most technology-oriented, doing his own programming, and working for a localISP.He is somewhat vain and seems to work at being cool.
  • Drew Yallow– Marcus' father who has a stormy relationship with Marcus through most of the book. Scared by the thought of Marcus having died during the bombing because Marcus has been missing for three days, he supports the tactics that the DHS employs. This leads to many arguments with Marcus despite his former mindset that was similar to Marcus'.
  • Lillian Yallow– Marcus' mother, British expatriate, who helps newly immigratedBritonsintegrate into American life. She and Marcus have a strong bond and seem to think alike. She is a strong woman and helps mediate Marcus' fights with his father.
  • Charles Walker– Also a student at the same high school as Marcus and Darryl, he is the antithesis of Marcus. He is a bully, a brown noser and a snitch. He and Marcus have a long-standing feud and detest each other.
  • Carrie Johnstone (Severe Haircut Lady, Severe Haircut Woman)– Main antagonist and in charge of the DHS that is monitoringSan Francisco.She is a cold sadistic woman to whom the ends always justify the means and enjoys abusing her power.
  • Angela Carvelli (Ange)– She attends the same high school as Van and develops into Marcus' love interest, when she first meets him at a party. She is an active member of the Xnet and is very strong-willed, and independent. She's known to use pepper spray as a condiment.
  • Ms. Galvez– A social studies teacher at Cesar Chavez High School, she is seen as a dedicated teacher and an independent thinker. She seems to be the only teacher that Marcus respects at his school. She tends to agree with Marcus on topics of security and Marcus helps her with contacting her brother, who's an overseas soldier, via internet.[3]
  • Barbara Stratford– Investigative reporter for theBay Guardian,who helps Marcus expose what the DHS has been doing.
  • Masha– A DHS operative who attempts to help Marcus escape the city. Marcus meets her briefly in the beginning of the novel when she threatens to expose him for skipping school whileARGing.He also meets up with Masha in the end in the midst of their escape, he finds a photo of his friend Darryl and his position on running away is changed. Therefore, he escapes from Masha after beating her up and smashing her fingers in a truck door.
  • Zeb– A former detainee of DHS's "Gitmo-by-the-Bay", he manages to escape and attempts to disappear after contacting Marcus about Darryl and the current status of the prison.

Plot

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Marcus Yallow is a 17-year-oldhacker/techno whiz fromSan Francisco.One day Marcus and his best friend Darryl play truant from school to play anAlternate Reality Game.A terrorist attack is perpetrated against the city, and the four are captured and detained under suspicion of terrorism.

After a series of interrogations that take place over a period of six days, Marcus, Jolu, and Vanessa are finally released; Darryl's whereabouts are unknown. The DHS tells Marcus that they will be monitoring his actions and moves because he is still a suspect. Marcus is "infuriated at how his civil rights [are] ignored."[12]

In response to the increasing surveillance of the city and its citizens, Marcus creates Xnet, a privatemesh networkintended to allow people to communicate freely while fighting "the surveillance state."[13]Through XNet, using his pseudonym 'Mik3y', Marcus encourages his peers to rebel against the DHS surveillance.

While introducing a group to Cryptography during akey signing party,Marcus meets Ange, and shortly thereafter they begin to date.

When a former prisoner who was held by the DHS tells Marcus that Darryl is still alive, Marcus tells a reporter and his family about his actions taken against the DHS. The journalist's story is then published and the DHS takes Marcus into custody again. On order from the governor, California highway patrol troopers raid the DHS compound during a waterboarding interrogation and arrest the DHS agents. Darryl is subsequently freed and Marcus, after his parents have to pay his bail to make sure he doesn't go to prison, finally returns to his life the way it was before the terrorist attacks.

Major themes

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Little Brotherhas major themes that, according to some, are too serious for ayoung adultnovel. In an interview, theJournal of Adolescent & Adult Literacyasked Doctorow about his "potentially heavy themes, including paranoia, loyalty, sex, torture, [and] fear"[14]and when his editing staff asked to censor the themes, he replied, "Oh, no."

The Hollywood Reporterremarked, "The book tackles many themes, including civil liberties and social activism".[15]

According to journalist April Spisak's article on "What Makes a Good Young Adult Dystopian Novel?" Spisak claims, "Cory Doctorow's Little Brother probably represents the purest example on the list—modern technology meets classic dystopic elements—even while the book itself is part instructional guide, part love story, and part rant at the increasingly dictatorial powers-that-be that consider safety at any cost a reasonable exchange. Small personal victories for the protagonist and his friends are present, but the power of Big Brother is hardly tempered by their work, and the folks who tangled with the government are all permanently scarred by the encounter."[16]

The book has also been characterized as "[expressing] astonishment, fear, uncertainty, shame, and guilt"[17]and addressing "issues of political authority, social order, individual freedom and electronic security."[18]

Background

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Little Brothertakes place in the "near future rather than decades or centuries away."[19]Little Brotheralso makes use of "obvious parallels toOrwellianwarnings and post9/11policies. "[20]

Reception

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Novel

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Cindy Dobrez in her review forBooklistsaid that "Doctorow's novel blurs the lines between current and potential technologies, and readers will delight in the details of how Marcus attempts to stage a techno-revolution. Obvious parallels to Orwellian warnings and post-9/11policies, such as thePatriot Act,will provide opportunity for classroom discussion and raise questions about our enthusiasm for technology, who monitors our school library collections, and how we contribute to our own lack of privacy. "[20]Kirkus Reviewsdescribed it as an "unapologetically didactic tribute to1984",and called it a" Terrifying glimpse of the future—or the present. "[21] Publishers Weeklysaid that it was "filled with sharp dialogue and detailed descriptions of how to counteractgait-recognition cameras,RFID's (radio frequency IDtags), wireless Internet tracers and other surveillance devices, this work makes its admittedly didactic point within a tautly crafted fictional framework. "[22]TheInstitute of Public Affairs,a thinktank, says that "Doctorow, like many freedom-fighting writers before him likes his women smart and strong. Male or female, freedom-loving writers tend to like writing strong female characters, often protagonists."[23]

News coverage

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In 2014, a high school principal inPensacola, Florida,Michael Roberts, pulledLittle Brotherfrom his school's summer reading list because the book is "about questioning authority" and portrays questioning authority "as a positive thing."; however it was kept on the list for advanced placement and grade 11 honors students. Roberts also described Cory Doctorow, a Canadian author living in England, as "an outsider to theGeorge W. Bushadministration. "[24]In response, his publisher sent 200 copies of the book directly to the school.[25]

Adaptations

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Play

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In early 2012, it was announced that the novelLittle Brotherwritten by Cory Doctorow will be made into a play directed by Josh Costello calledLittle Brother.The play was augmented with animated video projections, an original score by Chris Houston and original choreography by Daunielle Rasmussen.

Marin Independentsaid thatLittle Brotheris "required watching!'[26]

Charlie Jane Andersofio9praised theLittle Brotherplay: "I was lucky enough to catch a preview performance of the Custom Made Theatre Co.'s new stage adaptation of Cory Doctorow's award-winning novelLittle Brotherthe other day—and it was a total marvel. Somehow, writer/director Josh Costello managed to condense the novel down to a two-hour play, without losing any of the impact. If anything, the staged version hits a bit harder than the book, because of the intense, but not overstated, performances. "[27]

According toTheatreStorm,"Costello has wisely tightened Doctorow's book to three main characters. On a nearly empty stage, Costello utilizes video and sound effects superbly, creating multiple San Francisco locations, mass demonstrations, press conferences, online experiences and coaching his actors to create multiple characterizations as necessary. This is the best kind of political theatre. Thought provoking, suspenseful, emotionally real, uncomfortably close to the hard truth."[28]

Film

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The novel has also been the subject of a possible movie. The production company AngryFilms has optionedLittle Brother"with the aim of translating it to the big screen."[29]

In September 2015, Doctorow announced on his blog thatLittle Brotherhad been optioned byParamountwithDon Murphyas the producer.[30]


Dedications

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Each chapter of thee-bookedition ofLittle Brotheris dedicated to a different bookstore:Bakka-Phoenix(a Toronto sci-fi/fantasy bookstore where Doctorow used to be employed),Amazon.com,Borderlands Books,Barnes & Noble,Secret Headquarters,Powell's Books,Books of Wonder,Borders,Compass Books/Books Inc.,Anderson's Bookshops,University Book Storeat theUniversity of Washington,Forbidden Planet,Books-A-Million,Mysterious Galaxy,Chaptersd/Indigo Books,Booksmith,Waterstone's,Sophia Books,MIT PressBookshop,Tattered Cover,Pages Books,andHudson Booksellers.

Author

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In reference toLittle Brother,Cory Doctorowhas stated that "the enemy is obscurity, not piracy." His bookLittle Brotheris available on his website for free, which is provided in a variety of formats.[31][32]

Sequels

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On June 20, 2012, Doctorow posted the cover art of the sequel toLittle Brother,titledHomeland.[33]An excerpt of the book's opening, set at theBurning Manfestival, was posted the next month on the Tor Books website.[34]Homelandwas released in hardback, and for download under a Creative Commons license on Doctorow's website, in February 2013.

On September 8, 2020, Doctorow announced that the third book in theLittle Brotherseries,Attack Surface,would be released "in five weeks".[35]

References

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  1. ^Doctorow, Cory.Little Brother.New York: Tor Teen, 2008
  2. ^Release date.
  3. ^abDoctorow, Cory."Little Brother > Download Free".Retrieved2008-08-11.
  4. ^Children's Books – New York Times, May 5, 2008.
  5. ^Children's Books – New York Times, July 6, 2008.
  6. ^"White Pine Award list of winners".Archived fromthe originalon 2011-09-30.Retrieved2009-07-08.
  7. ^"Prometheus Award Press Releases".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-03-27.Retrieved2009-07-08.
  8. ^"AnticipationSF Hugo Finalist list".Retrieved2009-07-08.
  9. ^"Awards and Announcements".Resource Links.Retrieved16 May2013.
  10. ^Grossman, Austin (September 14, 2008)."Nerd Activists".The New York Times.
  11. ^Archived atGhostarchiveand theWayback Machine:"Defcon 21 – Unexpected Stories – From a Hacker Who Made It Inside the Government".YouTube.
  12. ^Palmer, Jean."Doctorow, Cory, Little Brother".Kliatt.Retrieved16 May2013.
  13. ^"Doctorow, Cory: LITTLE BROTHER".Kirkus Reviews.1 April 2008.Retrieved16 May2013.
  14. ^Bernick, Bernick, Steele, Philip, Galen, Rhonda (February 2010)."Little Brother (Book Review)".Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy.53(5): 433.Retrieved9 March2011.{{cite journal}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^Kit, Borys (23 March 2010)."Making George Orwell proud: Angryfilms options Doctorow's tale of social activism 'Little Brother'".Hollywood Reporter.Student Edition. pp. 5–6.Retrieved9 March2011.
  16. ^What Makes a Good YA Dystopian Novel? – The Horn Book
  17. ^Chang, Edie (15 February 2009)."Little Brother".Booklist.12.105:100.Retrieved16 May2013.
  18. ^Degen, John (September–October 2008)."Little lessons: Cory Doctorow's 1984 homage is too cool for school".This Magazine.2.42:43.Retrieved5 May2013.
  19. ^Chipman, Ian (15 May 2009)."Core Collection: dystopian fiction for youth".Booklist.18.105:50.Retrieved16 May2013.
  20. ^abDobrez, Cindy (1 April 2008)."Little Brother".Booklist.15.104:48.Retrieved16 May2013.
  21. ^"Little Brother".Kirkus Reviews.76(7): 355. April 1, 2008.ISSN0042-6598.
  22. ^"Little Brother".Publishers Weekly.255(15): 55. April 14, 2008.ISSN0000-0019.
  23. ^"Space ships and sound money".Institute of Public Affairs Australia. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-05-07.Retrieved2012-04-16.
  24. ^Secola, Jamie."Principal: 'Little Brother' questions authority".The Pensacola News Journal.Pensacola News Journal.Retrieved9 June2016.
  25. ^Doctorow, Cory (6 June 2014)."Why I'm sending 200 copies of Little Brother to a high-school in Pensacola, FL".boingboing/Cory Doctorow.boingboing.Retrieved9 June2016.
  26. ^Marin Independent says Little Brother is "required watching!",The Custom Made Theatre Co.
  27. ^Cory Doctorow's Little Brother becomes a must-see stage play
  28. ^Custommade premiers exciting political drama, 'Little Brother' | TheatreStorm
  29. ^Kit, Borys (22 March 2010)."Angryfilms options 'Little Brother' novel".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved27 June2015.
  30. ^"Little Brother optioned by Paramount".Cory Doctorow's craphound.com.Retrieved2016-03-21.
  31. ^Bethune, Brian (5 May 2008)."Scourge of the corporate pirates: the artist's enemy is obscurity, not piracy, says novelist and Web activist Cory Doctorow".Maclean's.17.121:57.Retrieved16 May2013.
  32. ^"Download Little Brother For Free | Cory Doctorow's".Craphound.com.Retrieved2018-09-23.
  33. ^Cover forHomeland,the sequel toLittle Brother
  34. ^Homeland(Excerpt) by Cory Doctorow
  35. ^Cory Doctorow(2020-09-08)."My first-ever Kickstarter: the audiobook for Attack Surface, the third Little Brother book".Cory Doctorow's craphound.com.Retrieved2020-09-12.
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