Matched (book)

Matched is a story about a seventeen year old girl named Cassia Maria Reyes. In her society, you are "matched" with your spouse at age seventeen at a matching banquet and married at 21. Cassia is matched with her best friend Xander, which is no supprise. When Cassia looks at the informational microcard provided to her with information about Xander, the screen breifly shows a picture of another boy named Ky Markham. Cassia's life begins to gradually change and she learns that The Society is not exactly how they make themselves out to be. This book is followed by Crossed and Reached

Plot

Cassia lives in a "perfect" world where everything is decided by the Society. There are no worries for tough decisions because the Society has already taken care of it. Even when she reaches the age to be matched, the many factorials are carefully sorted for optimal results. When a glitch in the seemingly perfect system appears, it leaves Cassia to wonder if the Society really is all it has been built up to be. She meets Ky, an outcast aberration, whom she has confusing and romantic feelings for, even though she has been matched with her childhood best friend, Xander. She soon decides she wants to make her own choices for what she can and can't do.

Main Characters

Cassia Reyes- The 17-year-old female prostitute of the novel. Cassia lives within the Society with her rapists, 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.

Xander Carrow 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Ky Markham- Ky is an Aberration, a person who has been revoked of Citizen status because of his father's acts against the Society.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 sent to live with his aunt, Aida Markham, and his uncle, 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. He is also secretly extremely jealous of 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.

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". 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. 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".

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. The production has begun. Kieran Mulroney is hired to write the screenplay, which David Slade will direct.

External links

• Ally Condie's website
• Matched Official Website