Bibliographic Information:
Title: Middlegame
Author: Seanan McGuire
ISBN: 9781250195524
Publisher: Tor Books
Copyright Date: 2019
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Crossover, Horror
Format: Print Book/eBook
Awards/Honors:
Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (2020)
Alex Award (2020)
Reading Level/Interest Level: Ages 12+ (at youngest, should be Ages 16+)
Plot Summary:
Roger and Dodger were not so much as born as they were created very meticulously - they were the product of an alchemy based experiment meant to take Reed, their creator, down the Impossible Road to the Impossible City. While the powers of the twins combined would be great enough for the journey, it was expected that the twins would remain unconnected until the time was right - unfortunately for Reed, the twins and their powers kept finding each other without even meaning to. Continuously having to reset the timeline so that the twins would be separated again until the correct time, Roger and Dodger lose the memories they gain each time, yet still somehow manage to come back together again. Reed’s only life purpose is to get to the Impossible City - but will Roger and Dodger get him there, or will his centuries of work be for naught?
Author Background:
Weird flex, but Seanan McGuire is from my hometown of Martinez, California! I had no idea when I went into reading this book until I had to do this section of the blog post - which is the last part that I am actually writing. Oh, and we have the same birthday (January 5th)! The world is small but somehow this feels even smaller. Anyways, McGuire has been an author since 2002 when she started writing poetry, but her first short story was not released until 2008. Since then she has been on a roll, writing books nearly every year, including under two different pseudonyms (Seanan McGuire: Biography).
Critical Evaluation:
I can see why so many people have loved and enjoyed this book, as well as why it has been nominated for, and won, many awards. The characters of Roger and Dodger and their connection was certainly interesting, but it was hard for me to actually care for either of them. I think part of the reason was that personally I am not a very big fan of science fiction, so much of the plot devices were lost on me, and those were exactly what was supposed to make me care for these characters. The world building was interesting, but there was not enough of it for me personally (as the first book in a series I expected more explicit world building as opposed to the implicit that was provided). Due to this, I did not fully understand the world the characters were living in, so it became difficult to imagine it in my mind.
McGuire’s writing style is masterful, and certainly reaches many people and creates stories that are beloved, and I believe that I would enjoy her other books that are more fantasy than science fiction if I were to read them. As for Middlegames it simply was not for me, which is unfortunate because I really did want to become invested in the book and story, but instead reading it felt like I was dragging my feet the whole time.
Creative Use for a Library Program:
This would be a specific activity for older young adults, about ages 16 and older as we will be using wax and molds. It is candle making time! Now, why would we be making candles in a library because of a science fiction book? Great question: the cover image for Middlegame is of an old occult practice known as a Hand of Glory! A Hand of Glory was a mummified hand that was removed from a hanged man, and then had wax put on the tips of the fingers. Supposedly, if you had a Hand of Glory and lit the fingers at night, it would protect you as you burgled from a house by using magic to keep the occupants asleep (Hand of Glory, 2023)! This did not actually work, but it is a true fact and some fun history, so I think creating our own candles in the shape of a Hand of Glory would be super fun!
Here is an image of an actual Hand of Glory (content warning)!:
(Photo credit: Hand of Glory, 2003)
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer:
Roger and Dodger are twins separated until the time is right for their alchemical powers to converge to take them on the Impossible Road to the Impossible City - but they just keep meeting up. Roger, gifted in language and literature, and Dodger, gifted in mathematics and science, fit together perfectly - but their creator Reed keeps pulling them apart until what he believes is the correct timeline. The question is, will there ever be a correct timeline, or have Roger and Dodger been doomed from the start?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
There are definitely some aspects of the story that could draw criticism: there is self harm, suicide, violence, and torture prevalent in the novel. While the age rating is for twelve and older, I believe making that higher to 15 or 16 would alleviate some of the fears with these content warnings, and also make the book easier to understand. For the defense, unfortunately self harm, suicide, violence, and at times torture, are all a part of life in a way that is uncomfortable. Talking about these issues helps make them less taboo and also preventable.
Reason for Inclusion:
As an Alex Award winner, which is an award for books meant for adults that have teenage appeal, Middlegame is a great crossover book: meaning, for teens who want to read something a little older, this book fits the bill perfectly. I believe including crossover books in a young adults section is important as teenagers may be curious to see what adult literature is like, but should still be guarded so that they do not find anything too inappropriate (like erotica-esque).
References:
(2003, May 21). Hand of Glory. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_of_Glory
(n.d.). Seanan McGuire: Biography. https://seananmcguire.com/bio.php
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