The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I

Praise

Imaginative and important.
—The Wall Street Journal

Anderson’s imaginative and highly intelligent exploration of the horrors of human experimentation and the ambiguous history of America’s origins will leave readers impatient for the promised sequel.
—The New York Times Book Review

A historical novel of prodigious scope, power and insight…This is the Revolutionary War seen at its intersection with slavery through a disturbingly original lens<I>. </I>
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Fascinating and eye-opening… this powerful novel will resonate with contemporary readers.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Octavian’s narration…quickly draws readers into its almost musical flow, and the relentless action and plot turns are powerful motivators.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

A serious look at Boston, pre-Revolution. It’s layered, it’s full of historic reference, and it’s about slavery and equal rights.
—The Boston Globe

The story’s scope is immense, in both its technical challenges and underlying intellectual and moral questions. . . . Readers will marvel at Anderson’s ability to maintain this high-wire act of elegant, archaic language and shifting voices.
—Booklist (starred review)

With an eye trained to the hypocrisies and conflicted loyalties of the American Revolution, Anderson resoundingly concludes the finely nuanced bildungsroman begun in his National Book Award–winning novel.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)