Written in a future that may be closer to reality than we think, Feed hits home with its reader, and is a more realistic take on a possible future than some other dystopian novels. A dark glimpse of modern reality, Feed gives us a glimpse in to what happens when we integrate technology into our very beings. While this novel is a dystopian young adult, it borders on the edge of science fiction with its incorporation of technology and government influence in our daily lives.
Feed: Synopsis
Feed is about how society has allowed technology to literally be implanted in them, erasing all need for devices and anything hand held. All data is fed directly into your line of sight via an implanted ”feed”, and it is constantly watching you and learning your habits. Instant gratification is at your finger tips, nothing ever is silent, and if you’re bored there is always a way to fix it.
The story begins when a group of kids-including main character Titus-going to the moon for spring break, just because everyone is doing it. We’re treated to a look at the teenage Titus and his privileged upbringing as well as his friends. However, his life will shortly be turned upside down by the arrival of Violet, a woman he meets shortly after arriving.
After a rough night out, the kids wake up in the hospital, disconnected from their feeds. Suddenly having to fend for themselves, the children begin to understand the true difficulties of the world and the effort required to function in it. It is alluded that most kids cannot even read or write anymore, as there is no need for it. Society as a whole is missing something, but the question becomes whether Titus will heed Violet’s warnings about what this heightened society is doing to its people before it’s too late?
Feed: My Feelings About This Dystopian Reality
I will admit, I found myself struggling with this one. For a novel featuring young people front and center, the writing style and general vocabulary managed to get in the way of the overarching story and character development. Feed has so may good things going for it; the world created by Anderson, the layers of symbolism woven throughout, and the idea that ignorance is not always bliss. I feel it shared a realistic way in which a teenager would handle living in an extra accelerated world, but the prose made it hard to follow along and immerse your self into the story.
Maybe it’s a pet peeve of mine, but I’m all about using slang or at the very least language that young people would use in everyday life. It seems that the idea for us was to immediately be dropped into this dystopian setting, we were treated to a futuristic slang of sorts. However, to this reader it created a disconnect to the characters and something that was used to make a point about the world as opposed to truly enhancing it.
Despite these flaws, Feed brings up relevant issues that-while they seem far fetched-have already begun showing up in our society today. Feed is all about instant gratification and a constant distraction from the real world around you. This distraction and gratification are instantaneous and implanted into you for ease and convenience. People today already implant RFID chips that act as keys, credit cards, and many other functions that are sold to enhance the ease of everyday life.
At the point our society is now, these implants are rare and an unnecessary luxury. But I can see how these pieces of technology will keep becoming more and more popular, pushing our society closer and closer to what the previous generations would see as a dystopian society.
Feed: Final Thoughts
Overall I feel like Feed book is great for young adults, and has many conversation points to debate and discuss. I personally did not enjoy the writing style, but that doesn’t mean the book is not for you! If you’re into dystopian books, that incorporate realism and trends from our society now, Feed could be perfect for your TBR.
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The Review
Feed
A relevant young adult dystopian novel, set in the future of America.
PROS
- Relevant
- Unique
- Thought Provoking
CONS
- Hard to read
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