Title: The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm
Author: Nancy Farmer
First published March 1, 1994
311 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780140376418 (ISBN10: 0140376410)
Rating: 3.87
Overview
In the futuristic world of Zimbabwe in the year 2194, the children of General Matsika venture out on a forbidden expedition but suddenly vanish without a trace. Fearing the worst, the desperate parents enlist the help of the most extraordinary detectives in all of Africa: the Ear, the Eye, and the Arm.
These gifted detectives possess powers beyond human comprehension and are determined to locate the missing children. However, the journey home will not be easy as the children must navigate through the perils of the past, the technology of the future, and a group of ruthless criminals.
A thrilling and heartwarming tale of bravery and determination, The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm is a beloved Newbery Honor Book and a must-read for all young adults.
About the Author
Nancy had an interesting upbringing. She was born in Phoenix in 1941 and spent her childhood working the switchboard at a hotel on the Arizona-Mexico border.
When she wasn’t working, she explored the old state prison and the hobo jungle near the Colorado River. After earning her BA at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, she decided to do something different and joined the Peace Corps.
She spent two years in India before returning to the US and moving into a commune in Berkeley. She worked selling newspapers for a while before getting a job in the Entomology department at UC Berkeley and studying Chemistry.
Her restlessness returned, and she set her sights on Africa. She tried to hitchhike by boat with a friend, but their chosen vessel turned out to be stolen and was stopped by the Coast Guard.
Undeterred, Nancy eventually made it to Africa on a legal ship. She spent over a year monitoring water weeds on Lake Cabora Bassa in Mozambique before being hired to help control tsetse fly in the dense bush on the banks of the Zambezi in Zimbabwe.
While in the capital city of Harare, Nancy was introduced to her future husband by his ex-girlfriend. They hit it off and he proposed a week later.
Today, Nancy and Harold live in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona, which happens to be a major drug route for the Sinaloa Cartel. They have a son, Daniel, who serves in the US navy.
Nancy is a highly accomplished author, with nine novels, three picture books, and several short stories to her name. She has won the National Book Award for The House of the Scorpion and received Newbery Honors for The Ear, the Eye and The Arm, A Girl Named Disaster, and The House of the Scorpion.
Her works have been translated into 26 languages.
Editoral Review
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer is a captivating young adult novel that takes place in futuristic Zimbabwe. Published in 1994, the book won a Newbery Honor and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.
Farmer is an American author known for her diverse range of young adult and children’s books that often deal with topics like social injustice, poverty, and political turmoil. The story revolves around three siblings from the three different tribes in Zimbabwe: Tendai, the oldest and responsible; Rita, the smartest and cunning, and Kuda, the youngest who does not take rules seriously.
Their parents are wealthy and powerful, but they are not typical parents. Instead, they are the “General” and “Lady” of the Zimbabwe National Security Force, who are in charge of protecting the country.
When the children sneak out of the house, they get kidnapped and taken to a dangerous part of the city called “The City of Gold and Rust.” The siblings are separated, and the rest of the book follows each of their individual journeys to escape captivity using their unique strengths. One of the strengths of the book is its world-building.
Farmer brings Zimbabwe to life by describing its evocative scenery, people, and culture in vivid detail. The country’s political and social issues are cleverly intertwined with the plot, adding depth and relevance to the story.
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm stands out for its ability to cross-cultural and national borders to appeal to readers worldwide. Farmer also excels in character development.
Each of the three siblings is portrayed with sensitivity and complexity. Tendai is challenged to match his leadership skills with the real world; Rita struggles as a female prodigy who doesn’t fit into stereotypes, while Kuda is forced to grow up fast.
Their captors, the “She Elephant” and her gang, are equally well-developed, with backstories and motivations that add depth and nuance to the story. In terms of weaknesses, the pacing of the book can slow down at times, while some characters and subplots could be streamlined.
However, these minor quibbles do not detract from the overall quality of The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm. The book’s strengths make it a worthwhile read for young adults seeking adventure, suspense, and thought-provoking themes that expose them to different perspectives of life.
Overall, The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm is a well-written and engaging novel that deserves its status as a classic in young adult literature. It has wrinkles and complexity that make it relevant even today.
With its memorable characters, insightful cultural commentary, and overall impact, it earns a solid recommendation from us. Finely crafted writing and an inspiring story, the book scores an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars.
