Uglies is the first book in Scott Westerfeld's trilogy about a futuristic society in which apperances are everything. Tally and Shay live in Uglyville, but not for long. When uglies turn 16, they finally get their surgery to make them pretty, like the rest of society, and they get to move to New Pretty Town where parties are the only focus. But Tally finds herself with a choice - will she escape and stay ugly forever, or move on like the rest of society to New Pretty Town?
Characters
- Tally Youngblood - the heroine, about to turn 16, with a BIG decision to make
- Shay - Tally's best friend who has contact with rebels living outside the city
- David - one of the rebels living in "The Smoke"
- Maddy and Az - David's parents, looking for a cure for turning "pretty"
- Dr. Cable - part of the Special Circumstances team
Societal Divisions
One of the social structures that makes the plot of Uglies work so well is the very clear cut divisions within the society. There are the LIttlies, which are young children, Uglies, who are preteens and live in dormitories in Uglyville, Pretties, who are young adults living across the river in New Pretty Town, Middle Pretties, who are middle-aged adults, and Crumblies, who are elderly people. In addition, there are Special Circumstances agents. These are agents who keep an eye on everyone, ensuring that this social structure remains, and if you are found to be in violation, they will be the first to put you in your place.
Review
Uglies does a magnificient job of flashforwarding to where current American society could find itself in the future. The emphasis this society places on being "pretty" not only reflects modern-day society's obsession with the beautiful and the perfect, but also shows how an empty-headed and uneducated society can find itself being completely controlled by a small number of people. Because the citizens of this world do not know anything about the outside, and al lthey are told of the past are the few things those in charge want them to know, they follow Special Circumstances around like sheep, content to one day be made pretty and not have a care in the world.
The book is not just a societal reflection, however, it's also just a very good adventure story. Though it's a little over 400 pages, it is a quick read, as many find it hard to put down. Whether readers like the sci/fi-type technology (hoverboards and talking walls), the normal teen lives that are portrayed both in Uglyville and New Pretty Town, or simply following the plot and plight of Tally Youngblood, Scott Westerfeld has masterfully created a world in which readers find themselves lost.
