Matched
| Matched | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Author | Ally Condie |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Matched trilogy |
| Genre |
Young adult/ Romance/ dystopian |
| Publisher | Dutton Juvenile |
Publication date | November 30, 2010 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback Or Softback) |
| Pages | 384 |
| ISBN | 9780142419779 |
| OCLC | 712116974 |
| LC Class | PZ7.C7586 Mat 2010 |
| Followed by | Crossed |
Matched, by Allyson Braithwaite Condie, is a story about a seventeen year old girl named Cassia Maria Reyes. In Cassia's society, you are matched at age 17. Cassia is matched with her best friend, Xander Thomas Carrow. This is not a surprise to either of them. When viewing the microcard with Xander's information on it, the screen displays a different friend of Cassia's, Ky Markham. Though Ky and Cassia were not as close as Xander and Cassia, she still finds herself conflicted about who she loves and whether the Society is all that it seems to be. This book is followed by Crossed and Reached.
Plot
Seventeen year-old Cassia lives in a futuristic, dystopian society where the citizens' lives are strictly controlled by the government. At the age of seventeen, citizens undergo a process known as "matching"- becoming paired up with another boy/girl selected by the authorities. She ends up being matched with her best friend, Xander Thomas Carrow, and is at first excited about their future together. However, when she's at home viewing her micro card on the port, something flashes and a familiar face pops up on the screen; Ky Markham, another friend of Cassia's. At first she is confused because she was matched with Xander, but then things are straightened out with her official. She soon starts to fall in love with Ky during her summer leisure; hiking.
Main Characters
Cassia Reyes
The 17-year-old female protagonist of the novel. Cassia lives within the Society with her parents, Abran and Molly Reyes, and her younger brother, Bram. Upon her 17th birthday, she is Matched, as is every other citizen. She has been matched with Xander Carrow, a sweet, intelligent boy whom she has known her entire life. But, when a glitch in the matching system appears, Cassia is forced to choose between her childhood friend Xander, and the mysterious outcast, Ky Markham.
Xander Carrow
Xander has been Matched with Cassia, and has secretly loved her for as long as he can remember. Xander is a sweet boy who wants nothing but the best for Cassia. He is also good friends with Ky Markham; they both belong to the same social circle with Cassia and a few others. Xander is the unequivocal golden boy: he gets high grades, he's statistically near perfect, and he is someone that many of his peers look up to. He has many good qualities. He is loving and understanding—a perfect Match for Cassia.
Ky Markham
Ky is an Aberration, a person who has been revoked of Citizen status because of his father's acts against the Society. Ky was adopted by Aida Markham, and Patrick Markham as a replacement for their son who was murdered, something that never happens in the Society. Because he was an Aberration, he was never allowed to be put into the official Matching pool. Ky secretly harbors strong feelings towards Cassia, even though she has been matched with Xander.
Inspirations and publishing history
The idea for Matched was presented in 2008 when Condie's husband asked her, "What if someone wrote the perfect algorithm for lining people up, and the government used it to decide who you married, when you married, etc.?" Condie was also inspired by a time when she chaperoned a high school prom as well as other experiences, such as falling in love and becoming a parent. It took her about nine months to write the book.[1]
Reception
Matched received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, who praised Condie for "[peeling] back layer after dystopic layer at breakneck speed". The reviewers noted its similarity to The Giver but said it is "a fierce, unforgettable page-turner in its own right".[2] Susan Carpenter of the Los Angeles Times called it a "wonderful debut," praising the way Condie used the style of writing to reflect Cassia's feelings.[3] Darienne Hosley Stewart, reviewing for Common Sense Media, gave Matched four out of four stars, praising Condie for "[crafting] a fine addition to the genre" that was a "great coming-of-age story" rather than a "hand-wringing love triangle, or a ho-hum story of teen rebellion". She also thought the characters were "complex and surprising" and Cassia's awakening and understanding of the Society "[felt] authentic".[4]
Film adaptation
Disney purchased the film rights to the Matched trilogy on September 16, 2010, Ally Condie's birthday, before the book had been released. Paramount Pictures had taken part in the bidding war, but Disney eventually won. Adam Shankman (who directed A Walk To Remember and directed and produced Hairspray) and Jennifer Gibgot have signed on to produce the film.[5] The production has begun. Kieran Mulroney is hired to write the screenplay, which Jon Chu will direct.
References
- ↑ Crondie, Ally. "FAQ". Ally Condie Official Website. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
- ↑ "MATCHED by Ally Condie". Kirkus Reviews. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
- ↑ Carpenter, Susan (12 December 2010). "Not Just for Kids: 'Matched' by Ally Condie". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
- ↑ Stewart, Darienne Hosley. "Matched". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
- ↑ "Disney Buys Movie Rights to Dystopian YA Trilogy Matched". ReelzChannel. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2011.