Uglies: Difference between revisions

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Uglies

Uglies is a science fiction novel by Scott Westerfeld. It was first published in 2005 and is the first book in the Uglies series. The novel is set in a future dystopian world where everyone is turned "pretty" by extreme cosmetic surgery upon reaching the age of 16.

File:Uglies book.jpg

Cover of Uglies

Plot summary

The story follows Tally Youngblood, a 15-year-old girl who is eagerly awaiting her sixteenth birthday, when she will undergo the operation to become "pretty." In this society, being "pretty" is not just about looks; it also means being accepted and living a life of luxury and pleasure in New Pretty Town.

Tally's best friend, Peris, has already undergone the operation, leaving her behind in Uglyville. Tally meets a new friend, Shay, who is skeptical about the operation and reveals that she plans to run away to a place called the Smoke, where people live naturally without surgery. When Shay disappears, Tally is given an ultimatum by the authorities: find Shay and the Smoke, or never become pretty.

Tally's journey to the Smoke leads her to question the society she lives in and the true meaning of beauty. She discovers the dark secrets behind the pretty operation and must decide where her loyalties lie.

Themes

Uglies explores themes of identity, beauty, and conformity. It questions societal norms about physical appearance and the pressure to fit in. The novel also delves into the idea of free will versus control, as Tally struggles with the choices imposed on her by the society.

Reception

The novel received positive reviews for its engaging plot and thought-provoking themes. It has been praised for its commentary on beauty standards and the impact of technology on society. Uglies has been included in several "best of" lists for young adult fiction and has a strong fan following.

Sequels

Uglies is followed by three sequels: Pretties, Specials, and Extras. Each book continues to explore the world and characters introduced in Uglies, expanding on the themes and conflicts of the series.

Related pages

References

Westerfeld, Scott. Uglies. Simon & Schuster, 2005.
"Uglies by Scott Westerfeld." Kirkus Reviews.
"Uglies Series." Publishers Weekly.

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 == Uglies ==
-'''Uglies''' is a young adult dystopian novel written by Scott Westerfeld. It was first published in 2005 and is the first book in the ''Uglies'' series. The novel explores themes of beauty, identity, and societal expectations.
+'''''Uglies''''' is a science fiction novel by [[Scott Westerfeld]]. It was first published in 2005 and is the first book in the ''Uglies'' series. The novel is set in a future dystopian world where everyone is turned "pretty" by extreme cosmetic surgery upon reaching the age of 16.
-=== Plot ===
+[[File:Uglies book.jpg|thumb|Cover of ''Uglies'']]
-Set in a future world where everyone undergoes a surgical procedure at the age of 16 to become "pretty," the story follows the protagonist, Tally Youngblood. Tally eagerly awaits her 16th birthday, when she will finally be transformed into a beautiful and perfect "pretty" like everyone else in her society. However, before her transformation, Tally meets Shay, a fellow teenager who questions the idea of becoming pretty. Shay introduces Tally to a group of rebels called the "Smokies," who live outside the city and reject the societal norms of beauty.
+== Plot summary ==
+The story follows [[Tally Youngblood]], a 15-year-old girl who is eagerly awaiting her sixteenth birthday, when she will undergo the operation to become "pretty." In this society, being "pretty" is not just about looks; it also means being accepted and living a life of luxury and pleasure in [[New Pretty Town]].
-As Tally spends more time with the Smokies, she begins to question the ideals of her society and the consequences of the pretty operation. She learns that the operation not only changes physical appearance but also alters the way people think and behave. Tally becomes torn between her desire to fit in and her growing realization that there is more to life than just being pretty.
+Tally's best friend, [[Peris]], has already undergone the operation, leaving her behind in [[Uglyville]]. Tally meets a new friend, [[Shay]], who is skeptical about the operation and reveals that she plans to run away to a place called the [[Smoke]], where people live naturally without surgery. When Shay disappears, Tally is given an ultimatum by the authorities: find Shay and the Smoke, or never become pretty.
-=== Themes ===
+Tally's journey to the Smoke leads her to question the society she lives in and the true meaning of beauty. She discovers the dark secrets behind the pretty operation and must decide where her loyalties lie.
-'''Beauty and Identity''': The novel explores the concept of beauty and its impact on one's identity. It raises questions about the societal pressure to conform to a certain standard of beauty and the consequences of such conformity.
+== Themes ==
+''Uglies'' explores themes of identity, beauty, and conformity. It questions societal norms about physical appearance and the pressure to fit in. The novel also delves into the idea of free will versus control, as Tally struggles with the choices imposed on her by the society.
-'''Societal Expectations''': "Uglies" also delves into the theme of societal expectations and the pressure to conform. It highlights the dangers of blindly following societal norms without questioning their validity.
+== Reception ==
+The novel received positive reviews for its engaging plot and thought-provoking themes. It has been praised for its commentary on beauty standards and the impact of technology on society. ''Uglies'' has been included in several "best of" lists for young adult fiction and has a strong fan following.
-'''Individuality and Rebellion''': The story emphasizes the importance of individuality and the power of rebellion against oppressive systems. It encourages readers to question authority and think critically about the world around them.
+== Sequels ==
+''Uglies'' is followed by three sequels: ''[[Pretties]]'', ''[[Specials]]'', and ''[[Extras]]''. Each book continues to explore the world and characters introduced in ''Uglies'', expanding on the themes and conflicts of the series.
-=== Reception ===
-"Uglies" received positive reviews from critics and readers alike. It was praised for its thought-provoking themes and engaging storytelling. The novel's exploration of beauty standards and societal expectations resonated with many readers, particularly young adults.
-=== Adaptations ===
-The popularity of "Uglies" led to its adaptation into other media formats. In 2018, it was announced that a film adaptation of the novel was in development. However, as of now, no further updates have been provided regarding the progress of the adaptation.
-=== See Also ===
+== Related pages ==
 * [[Scott Westerfeld]]
-* [[Dystopian literature]]
+* [[Dystopian fiction]]
-* [[Young adult fiction]]
+* [[Young adult literature]]
-=== References ===
+== References ==
+* Westerfeld, Scott. ''Uglies''. Simon & Schuster, 2005.
-<references />
+* "Uglies by Scott Westerfeld." [[Kirkus Reviews]].
+* "Uglies Series." [[Publishers Weekly]].
-=== External Links ===
-* [https://www.scottwesterfeld.com/books/uglies/ Official Website of Scott Westerfeld]
-* [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24770.Uglies Uglies on Goodreads]
+[[Category:2005 novels]]
+[[Category:American science fiction novels]]
+[[Category:Dystopian novels]]
 [[Category:Young adult novels]]
-[[Category:Dystopian novels]]
-[[Category:Science fiction novels]]
-[[Category:Novels adapted into films]]