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.

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.

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.

Mysterious / Dark / Emotional / Challenging / Contemplative

Nancy Farmer

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Before You Read

Explore The House of the Scorpion reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The House of the Scorpion | SuperSummary

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Overview

The House of the Scorpion follows Matt, a young clone, as he grapples with identity and humanity in a dystopian world. Read a full summary here.

The House of the Scorpion Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Youth: 0 to 6”

Part 1, Chapters 1-5

Get ready to explore The House of the Scorpion and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The House of the Scorpion Part 1, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Middle Age: 7 to 11”

Part 2, Chapters 6-9

The House of the Scorpion Part 2, Chapters 6-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 10-14

The House of the Scorpion Part 2, Chapters 10-14 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Old Age: 7 to 11”

Part 3, Chapters 15-18

The House of the Scorpion Part 3, Chapters 15-18 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 19-22

The House of the Scorpion Part 3, Chapters 19-22 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Age 14”

Part 4, Chapters 23-25

The House of the Scorpion Part 4, Chapters 23-25 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “La Vida Nueva”

Part 5, Chapters 26-30

The House of the Scorpion Part 5, Chapters 26-30 Summary & Analysis

Part 5, Chapters 31-34

The House of the Scorpion Part 5, Chapters 31-34 Summary & Analysis

Part 5, Chapters 35-38

The House of the Scorpion Part 5, Chapters 35-38 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The House of the Scorpion Character Analysis

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Themes

The House of the Scorpion Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The House of the Scorpion Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The House of the Scorpion Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The House of the Scorpion Essay Topics

The House of the Scorpion

Before You Read

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Who Should Read The House of the Scorpion?

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