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This is my first review, so I wanted to do an exciting book, one that makes people think. Feed by M.T. Anderson is a book set in a futuristic dystopian society. In Anderson's future, almost everyone (73% of Americans) has had computer chips surgically installed in their brains. These computer chips, called "feed", work with the brain to make computers inside people's heads. People use their brains to control the feed. They can watch movies, listen to music, send telepathic messages, etc. Sounds great right? Wrong. People in this world have almost no critical thinking skills and basically do whatever the feed says to do.
While Americans are partying and buying whatever the chip in their head tells them to, the Earth is dying and Uprisings are happening worldwide. However, the oblivious Americans don't give a flip because the feed is hiding what's really happening. The main character is a teenager named Titus. He has a limited vocabulary and enjoys partying and drinking. He is on the moon, doing just that with his moronic friends, when he meets a girl who changes everything named Violet. She thinks differently and doesn't follow the crowd.
This book is light and carefree at first, but soon begins to deal with serious issues. The feed clearly represents the internet and media in the real world. Climate change has continued to happen to the point that there are "air factories" where forests used to be. Titus can barely make decisions by himself and at sometimes, doesn't seem to have much of a moral compass. You probably don't see this sort of future ever becoming a reality, but the sad thing is, I do. Feed really made me stop and consider the world around me. People can be so shallow and clueless. This does not mean that they are bad people, but it does mean that bad things will happen if we keep going on like this. Titus and the rest of his friends mainly think about sex, drugs (neuro malfunctions), cothes and alchohol. The book is very cleverly written and does an excellent job of making a point.
Titus is VERY shallow and stupid at first. The annoying thing about this character is that just when he begins to show character development, he disappoints you. He doesn't have his priorties straight and has a very confusing mind. It is only towards the end that he actually seems to change, and it takes something drastic to get anything through his thick skull.
Violet is much smarter than Titus, and therefore much more likeable. However, she also has irritating traits. Without giving too much away, I can tell you that she can be very pushy, even when it's not worth it. She doesn't know how to pick her battles and it costs her.
M.T. Anderson has certainly made a memorable book, though most of the characters drove me crazy! If you have a low tolerance for stupidity, then this book is not for you, (99% of the people are morons). My only criticisms:
1- This book should have been set further into the future. The year is not specifically stated, but the time alluded to is not far enough for such technologies to exist.
2- Titus should have grown as a person sooner. It is a bit unbelievable that he suddenly feels bad at the end of the book.
Overall rating= 95 out of 100
