Above by Leah Bobit
363 p. Arthur A. Levine/ Scholastic, 2012. 978-0-545-29670-0. (Chosen to review for InfoLink/NJ).
This present-tense narration by Matthew takes place in an uncertain time and place. He lives in an underground community called Safe, which was organized and ostensibly ruled by Atticus, a crab-armed escapee from Above. Matthew is the first of just a few children born in Safe and has no native knowledge of life Above, but he’s heard the stories. Indeed, he has absorbed all the stories into his very core as his position of Teller, keeper of tales of Safe.
The security of Safe is paramount and its newest refugee, Ariel, is threatening it with her erratic behavior and constant flights Above. Matthew is in love with Ariel, but Ariel is not the danger. The exile known as Corner is, and when Corner invades Safe and murders Atticus, Matthew flees to Above with a handful of survivors. While navigating the danger that is inherent in Above, he pieces together the history of Safe and attempts to reclaim it from Corner and the shadows.
There’s a lot of evocative language in this unusual tale. Unfortunately, it’s rather difficult to follow as the language is also enigmatic and invented. Just like Ariel, who turns into a bee when agitated or upset, the narrative seems to flit about and offers slivers of information that the reader may grow tired of piecing together. Gorgeously designed, the cover art and interior design will pull readers in. Thoughtful fans of dystopian fiction will stay.