This fast-paced, YA, dystopian read features five 16 year old orphans being experimented upon by scientist. They awake to find themselves in a house that consists entirely of stairs with no visible ceiling, walls, or floors. Gradually they come to realize that a machine wants them to dance to gain food. They come to realize that this machine is changing them, but will they let it?
The themes in this book--free will, friendship, compassion--are ones seen far too infrequently in toady's YA lit. Sleator subtly works in the question of how much behavior is choice and how much has been trained into us by society. Sleator weaves complex characters and gradually depicts an all too possible future society. This book will challenge anyone to consider the real reasons behind their own behaviors.
Check out my full review.
The themes in this book--free will, friendship, compassion--are ones seen far too infrequently in toady's YA lit. Sleator subtly works in the question of how much behavior is choice and how much has been trained into us by society. Sleator weaves complex characters and gradually depicts an all too possible future society. This book will challenge anyone to consider the real reasons behind their own behaviors.
Check out my full review.
Excellent YA story that had a huge impact on me in my youth. My hogh rating reflects that experience. Still great as an adult.
Teens are mysteriously taken and find themselves trapped in a place of nothing but stairs. Survival, dealing with this prolonged captivity, and the impact this has on them makes for a very memorable story. The outcome is not what you would expect and you won't ever forget it.
Teens are mysteriously taken and find themselves trapped in a place of nothing but stairs. Survival, dealing with this prolonged captivity, and the impact this has on them makes for a very memorable story. The outcome is not what you would expect and you won't ever forget it.
House of Stairs by William Sleator probably has one of the most distinctive settings in literature: a literal "house of stairs",that stretches on endlessly without any walls, ceilings, floors, or even banisters to be found. Sleator excels at seamlessly integrating the basics of psychology (conditioning, desensitizing, etc.) into a work of fiction, while still portraying his characters as complex human beings, not just test subjects. The novel's pacing is brisk, while still allowing the reader time to contemplate the character's downward spiral into an aggressive, animalistic dog-eat-dog mentality. A chilling read.
For an even longer review, check out my blog: http://librarbie.blogspot.com/2013/12/house-of-stairs-by-william-sleator-nice.html
For an even longer review, check out my blog: http://librarbie.blogspot.com/2013/12/house-of-stairs-by-william-sleator-nice.html
