Truancy (novel)
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| Truancy | |
 Cover Art |
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| Author | Isamu Fukui |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | JupiterImages |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Dystopian, Science Fiction |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Publication date | March 4, 2008 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 432 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 978-0-7653-1767-4 ISBN-10 0-7653-1767-2 |
Truancy is a dystopian novel written by Isamu Fukui, a New York City student in Stuyvesant High School, when he was 15 years old.[1] Set in a totalitarian city ruled by its Mayor and Educators, it follows the story of a fifteen-year-old student named Tack, and a student rebellion calling itself the Truancy. The story takes a critical look at the institution of school[2], and is dedicated "to everyone that has ever suffered in the name of education".
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
The story takes place in an unnamed city dominated by the educational system. Ruled over by a tyrannical Mayor and his Educators, students live a miserable existence with their only purpose being to obey. However, an underground student rebellion known as the Truancy, led by an enigmatic boy named Zyid, seeks to destroy the system by any means possible, no matter the cost.
Meanwhile, a fifteen-year-old student named Tack is busy trying to survive under the Educator's rule, ignorant of the war that the Mayor is keeping silent. Tack's monotonous days are filled with sadistic teachers, unrelenting schoolwork, and indifferent parents. Then one day, while fleeing from a group of bullies, Tack enters one of the city's derelict and abandoned districts - and there comes across a mysterious boy at a lemonade stand who introduces him to the truth behind the city.
Just when things are starting to look up, someone close to Tack is suddenly killed in the crossfire between the Educators and the Truants. Swearing vengeance, Tack abandons his old life and joins the Truancy to achieve his goal. There he confronts Zyid, the leader who has his own plans for Tack. As the war escalates with no end in sight, Tack finds himself torn between his own desire for vengeance, and his increasing sympathy with the goals of the Truancy.
[edit] Reception
"As much insightful social commentary as action-packed coming of age story. All in all, an impressive debut."
- Eric Van Lustbader Bestselling author of The Bourne Legacy
"TRUANCY is 'Another Brick in the Wall' for Science Fiction. Isamu Fukui delivers a well-written and passionate story somewhere between George Orwell and Pink Floyd. His school system gone mad is described with both wit and anger - as if he's been there himself."
- Kevin J. Anderson Bestselling co-author of Hunters of Dune
[edit] Publication details
- ISBN: 978-0-7653-1767-4
- ISBN-10: 0-7653-1767-2
[edit] Translations
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- The Truancy Official website of the Truancy novel.
- Truancy page, from Tor Books
- "Student Chronicles High School Misery in 'Truancy'", National Public Radio.
