Over the course of the novel Octavian grows more aware of the uniqueness and injustice of his situation. This goes right down to Octavian having his excrement weighed after every bowel movement to study the efficiency of his digestive system. In time it is revealed that Octavian and his mother are slaves living in Boston in the 1760’s-70’s and while treated well materially, Octavian is also something of a lab rat, under constant observation by the scientists of the Novanglian College of Lucidity. Octavian and his mother are royalty, and although they are far from home, they live in luxury with fine foods and clothing, a classical education, and sophisticated society. Young Octavian lives with his mother Cassiopeia and a crowd of Natural Philosophers who go by numbers instead of names. Anderson begins like a science fiction story, reminiscent of The Baroque Cycle. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. He’s thematically concerned with shifting identity: “How do we change-within moments the whole form of our habits and dispositions may become alien to us, and we almost cannot remember what we were.” Volume I won the National Book Award, and this book is no less notable.ĭisclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. Anderson convincingly defies convention, casting the British in a fairly favorable light, showing that justice and injustice are determined by perspective. When the embattled British governor of Virginia Colony, Lord Dunmore, guarantees freedom for blacks who take up arms on his behalf, the classically educated Octavian is one of many to throw in against Liberty-loving slave-owners. Anderson looks at the American Revolution from a unique vantage point. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II
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