Sleepwalking

by Nicola Morgan

A chilling vision of a world where the power of ideas and language is no longer necessary—or possible. The Citizens of this future world drift contentedly, their every emotion regulated, complete with drug-induced happiness. But a small group, known as the Outsiders, crave real emotion, real freedom, even suffering—and they have a plan to change society.

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kimiko-K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book illusrates the kind of story that people like me fantasises the world to be once in a while. Morgan is clearly out to tell the society that freedom are what most people takes for granted and would only understand the significance of it only when it's out of reach.

Another thing which I learnt from this book is that most of the times it's us that drives Hope away. Hope is always there somewhere; it's a matter of choice whether we decide to welcome it. Many a times, we look back and wonder what happens if I'd chosen the other path, but come on, how many of us actually goes back to "the other path" and "trail" it out? Choices are important, your own choices.

I like how "way too advanced" technologies can be used to explain the impossibles in this book. The question is always there as I read pages and pages of the book; will technologies really create possiblities from the impossible? Who really knows the answer anyway?

If you're into a world controlled by technologies, this book is for you.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the whole idea behind the book, and the way popular and well-known stories and famous figures were worked in but it seemed quite sudden, like the author was half-way through, thought her book was turning out a bit like 1984, and whacked a few references in.
All the same, I liked it. Very creative and clever.

[Phanee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 10/10

Sleepwalking is one of my favourite books ever. And I do mean EVER! I think I first read it 8 or so years ago, but I have read it time and time again over the years (which is pretty easy to do, as it's a rather short book). I still love it, though. Every single time.

The society in this book is weird, to say the least. It's probably the first dystopian society I ever read about in a book... People live in cities, which cater to their every need. They have special prescriptions, called pims and funks, which are specially adjusted to each person, so as to make them as calm as possible. Those prescriptions serve the purpose of keeping order within the city. Despite that, there are still guards around, to keep the Outsiders out of the cities, despite the fact that being an Outsider is not illegal.

There are four heroes in this book: Livia, Marcus, Tavius and Cassandra. The first three grew up in a completely sheltered environment, as opposed to Cassandra, who grew up as an actual Outsider and has seen much more than a girl her ages should have seen. They come from completely different circumstances, but they have a common purpose: to try and restore the world back to what it used to be before pims and funks.

The actual explanation as to how the whole situation came to be the way it was is really ingenious and one that is definitely appealing to children (like me!). I really liked how the author explained everything in the end. I'm not going to say anything else, because it's definitely going to be spoiler-y.

I will admit that this time around, I found this book a little too quick. Everything seemed to be happen very fast. I probably only just noticed it because I am a little older now. I was also very sad when I saw that it is now out of print. It's such a lovely book, it deserves to be out there for more children to read.

Originally posted at: http://funny-wool.blogspot.com/2011/0...

[Tio Lishomwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book for its plot and character twists, but I think the whole theme of the story, as well as the twists, actually, could have been a bit more original. The concept of mass-brainwashing and dangerous globalisation of drugs or ideas is something I've seen repeated multiple times. However, being a typical girly girl, I did enjoy watching the characters bond as the plot went on.
In contrast to what I've just been saying, though, the way in which the reader and characters were tricked into believing certain things about the story was something I haven't heard of or experienced in a book before. I won't go into detail, because that'd involve ruining the surprise for anybody who does want to read this!
This was a good read, and I enjoyed it a little, but I don't think I'd go so far as to recommend it to all bookworms I know.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of the book was not original, and I didn't find the writing all that wonderful either. Livia annoyed me a little, but the real problem was that she and the other characters weren't very well-developed, weren't complex. They were lukewarm. As was the romance between Livia and Marcus, which seemed contrived and just shoved in there for the sake of having some romance. The writing style at times felt quite juvenile, particularly the italicised sections that were essentially just Livia's thoughts in first person. Favourite part of the book was probably the scene in Alex's house with the talking frog on his screen - that appealed to me for some reason. I think this was meant to be young adult fiction but apart from some language it read more like a children's book.

[Julia Langnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this in a tiny store in England for a very tiny amount of money, thank god I didn't spend a lot on it, because I couldn't stand it (to be fair though I just read Jane Eyre and adored it, so this book had a hard act to follow). In the beginning I thought yay its a criticism of communism that's always fun. It wasn't. It was cheesy and plain, with one sided characters I couldn't stand. It got a tiny bit better towards the end, however any hopes where soon shot down. The writing felt a bit too forced, and the whole thing was really not worth it.
Honestly at this point you are probably better off with The Hunger Games, or read 1984.

[RJC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based loosely on 1984. Has an unnecessary twist at the end with some rather obvious plot turns and devices. I enjoyed it.

[Alec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago, and then forgot both the name and the author but the story never left me. It was the first book I ever read in the dystopia genre and it had quite the impact on me as a teenager, especially on my perception of the genre and my conception of the future. This is why I've given it a four star rating.
However, I wouldn't necessarily say that it is a spectacularly original book. It draws a lot on ideas from other stories (particularly Brave New World) and shares many plot similarities with other books from around the same time (Feed, anyone?). The writing also, as an adult, leaves something to be desired at times, but I don't think that is such a heinous crime, and the beginning in particular really drew me in.

(I'm so, so happy I found this again!)

[Vora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un roman pour ado qui reprend les thèmes de 1984 ou du Meilleur des mondes sans toutefois être aussi développé et profond que ces livres.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book does have a plot I believe that I will remember it more because of how it makes you think. This book focuses on learning who you are, what it means to be human, and who you are. These are really important questions we all must ask ourselves. I read this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. Overall I think this is an excellent book that really makes you think about important, deep, and meaningful questions.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first came across this book back in 2005 after I was given it in our school book club to review.
My twelve year old self immediately fell in love with it.

So ten years on, I decided to re read it, but this just made me realise just how much Nicola Morgan's writing style and lack of punctuation annoys me. However, this is literally THE book that got me into dystopian related fiction, so it will always have a place in my heart <3

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. But I felt that it just lagged on a bit and it took ages to get to the main part of the book. If there were to be a sequel to the book, I think I would probably read it, because the cliffhanger is so annoying!! I just want to know what happens, though I don't think Nicola Morgan has written this book to be in a series.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I read as a teenager and book I consistently go back to.

It's a definite personal favourite.

Has a feel of 1984 to it, but slightly more youthful. Cleverly written and enjoy the different motives of the characters as they develop throughout the story.

A book I would very highly recommend to the young or old.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is brilliant. I have been looking for a book that talks about a fantasy world and is actually well-written. This book kept me interested and it also gave me many surprises along the way. One thing that I have learned from this novel is that Hope never dies.

[Stéphanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un roman pour ado qui reprend les thèmes de 1984 ou du Meilleur des mondes sans toutefois être aussi développé et profond que ces livres.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written book, I love the storyline and the whole idea of a community who are under false convictions that their happiness is genuine.

[Eva Hough · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was boring and I had NO IDEA where it was going!

[Broken_Heart · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved this book....I think it is pefect for anyone that needs to snuggle up and need a wonderful new book to read any time of the day!

-Micaela

[Diana Soren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the original YA dystopia.
It’s spellbinding and utterly original where most YA is recycled trash.
A classic.