The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm

What a great story, with lessons that extend beyond what is actually written. Set about 170 years in the future in Zimbabwe, 3 children go off on an adventure, but trouble follows.
Farmer turns around so many standards in American writing: There is no mention of anyone being black, but the 1 white protagonist is defined a couple of times as being white; the children realize they could get a Scout badge in Anthropology for studying the "British tribe".

I loved this book back when I was a kid. Cyberpunkish scifi in 22nd century Zimbabwe, with heroic kids, mutant detectives, evil criminals. You can never really go back, so does this book hold up? Well, yes and no.

I didn't realize how much I'd appreciate the main character, Tendai, and his relationship with his younger siblings as he tries to protect them. The future African setting is also well-imagined; as a rising power and real nation that has reached an accord with the legacy of colonialism. Farmer worked in Zimbabwe for years, the the magical-religious elements with spirit possession and witchcraft really kick the story up a notch.

On the minus side, the plot of captivity-escape-captivity is a little repetitive and didactic; a show more rising series of challenges for Tendai to overcome. The titular mutant detectives are also kind of a dud, speaking with identical voices and rarely using their powers to good effect. In a post -Harry Potter and Hunger Games world, the standards for YA fiction have moved. show less

This book is very well written and unique. The characters are all interesting and the world - though tough - is intriguing. The repeated miseries and out-of-the-frying-pan-and-into-the-fire situations that the three kids face made for rather grim reading and I was impatient throughout the book for them to make it to safety.

Set in Zimbabwe in the 2194, the story follows the three overprotected siblings of General Matsika, who leave their mansion to explore the city for the first time. They are nearly immediately kidnapped, forced into slavery, and then escape only to find themselves held against their will in three other, very different circumstances before finally finding their way back to their parents and safety.
This Newbery Honor Book has an interesting way of blending an vision of the future with the traditions of Zimbabwe's past, and the plot and characters are engaging and fun to follow, too. I'm still thinking through my thoughts about this being written (in the mid-90s) by a white woman and how that affects the story; I would love to read a show more response to the book by a POC, or better yet, read a retelling or a sequel by the same. show less

It's got a playful sort of spirit about it with impossible coincidences happening all the time and funny turns of phrase. "Fancy show cats yawned contemptuously at the crowds that milled around them."

A neighborhood of ancient plastic trash that is alive with zombie-like people lies directly adjacent to a walled neighborhood sized-country that is not even part of the world where ancient village life continues purposefully unmolested by the modern world.

Tailing three missing children through the plot are three total weirdos with special abilities caused by a long ago toxic waste spill. "I think we're pretty nice," but they're enough to give even the most hardened city criminals pause yet they end up raising an unwanted witch-twin.

It's show more a long journey but all that began with the quest for a boy scout badge ends well. show less

A great young adult book, solid from start to finish. Set in 2194, science fiction and fantasy blend almost seamlessly. Three children, led by Tendai, an almost-14 year old, escape from the over-protective father, the feared but mostly benevolent General Matsika, to go on an adventure in a Zimbabwe that is half very modern and half very ancient. Kidnapped almost immediately, their story makes about about 60% of the book. The other 40% goes to the Ear, the Eye, and the Arm of the title -- three mutants with enhanced senses who run a down and out detective agency. Part of the delight of the book is the rich variety of places, characters, and mythology that contextualize the tale. Farmer manages to do this with a minimum of info-dumps. show more There's a brief glossary cum history at the end that, like the glossary added to some editions of Clockwork Orange, serves mostly to confirm what you've already inferred in reading. The other delight is Farmer's ability to occasionally make her world more real through a casual phrase or observation.

Highly recommended. show less

The year is 2194 in Zimbabwe, Africa. The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm takes place in a world of computer animated Dobermans and genetically engineered monkeys; a world where creatures called She Elephants (that aren't actually elephants) mine for plastic in a toxic dump. Robots and rockets are the norm. Basically, insert your favorite sci-fi stereotype here. It is also a world full of ancient African cultures and traditions. Witchcraft, spirits, and powers beyond human recognition rule the landscape.
In this landscape are Tendai, Rita, and Kuda. They are the overprotected and bored children of General Matsika, Chief of Security. Matisika has too many enemies so homeschooling, work, play; essentially his children's every blessed second is show more spent behind gigantic heavily guarded walls. Much to his father's disappointment, Tendai, the oldest child, will never make a good warrior. Tendai is the gentlest and most sensitive of all the children. He has the ability to physically feel the harm done to others. Rita, the middle child, is fiery and headstrong; not afraid to speak her mind or start a fight with anyone, human or otherwise. Kuda, by default the youngest, is impetuous and bold; simply not afraid of anything.
Confined as they are, the three children are eager to break out of their homemade prison when given the chance. And rest assured, break out they finally do. There wouldn't be a story otherwise. Once the Matsika children find a way to trick their babysitter, the adventure outside the fortified mansion begins and it is not what any of them expected. Sold into slavery, the children are forced to work along side the vlei people sorting trash for a tyrant so large she is called "She Elephant." It is not a spoiler to say they escape from this predicament only to fall in the trap of another and another and another.
General Matsika, consumed with remorse for letting down his guard for a second, hires a mutant detective agency called Ear, Eye, Arm to find his children. Ear has super sensitive hearing. Eye (you guessed it) has super sight. Arm is the most unique of all as he can feel empathy to the point of seeing into one’s soul. Together they chase the children from one entrapment to the other. The ending combines science fiction with ancient African customs for a Hollywood ending. show less