The Duplicate [Hardcover]

William Sleator (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 1988 | Age Level: 11 and up

Sixteen-year-old David, finding a strange machine that creates replicas of living organisms, duplicates himself and suffers the horrible consequences when the duplicate turns against him.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9 David needs to be in two places at one time: a family party for his grandmother and a date with Angela. He finds what seems to be the perfect answer to this dilemmaa machine that has the power to duplicate organic material. Without considering the pos sible ramifications, he duplicates him self. From that moment, his life be comes a nightmare. Competition, particularly regarding Angela, is fiercelike sibling rivalry, only greatly intensified. Just when readers think that things can't possibly get worse, the duplicate duplicates himself, and then there are threeand each claims to be the original. Plus, each would like to solve his problems by getting rid of the others. Sleator has done it again, writ ing an intense thriller, with horror building gradually, in which science fic tion is blended skillfully with reality. Yet the gadget that sets up the story never becomes the storythe focus is always on David. At the moment of du plication, the copy is exact, with even identical memories. As time goes along, subtle differences emerge. It is to Sleator's credit that he manages to create three closely similar, yet dis tinct, personalities. In this way, he avoids potential confusion when all three are together. Sure to satisfy Slea tor's many fans and to win him some new ones. Susan M. Harding, Mes quite Public Library, Tex.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

When David finds a mysterious machine that can copy living things, he thinks his problems are over. By duplicating himself, he can visit his grandmother and keep his date with Angela. While the other David is in school, the real one can spend the day at the beach. The possibilities are endless...and terrifying.

What begins as the solution to David's problems soon turns into a nightmarish struggle for identity. Then events take a horrifying turn that neither of the two Davids can control--and that may have deadly consequences. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (April 28, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525443908
• ISBN-13: 978-0525443902
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,569,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read this, August 16, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Duplicate (Novel) (Paperback)

David is teenager who thinks his problems are over when he finds a machine on the beach. This machine is different from others because it can create duplicates of living organisms. When David discovers the machine's power, he thinks that his problems are solved. When he makes a duplicate of himself, he can be in two places at once. He can be out on a date, while the duplicate is going to his grandma's house. But the duplicate has a mind of it's own. The duplicate finds a hideout, in an abandoned World War 2 outpost. The real David finds traps hidden inside and thinks that the duplicate is trying to kill him. But the duplicate has duplicated himself, and the duplicates want to get rid of the real David.... This book really gives out a strong message that you should think before you act. Think out all of the consequences before you do something.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Duplicate, March 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Duplicate (Novel) (Paperback)

I give The Duplicate five out five stars because it had lots of action with some romance. I like how this book leaves you in suspence at the end of every chapter. William Sleator used soom good description. When he describes David, the author says, "I'm a good son, decent, well behaved, and all that boring stuff." He also describes Carl as "Very tall, with curly black hair, and dark eyes." I also like how he wrote the book. He wrote it so everyone can understand what is going on. In addition to the action to the action and romance, there is a little bit of mystery and a little bit of fright. Since I really liked this book, I don't think there are many bad things. But one thing I didn't like was the very last line. It makes you want to read on but it is the end of the book. Also, this author did not wrap all the questions at the end of the book. Just like the other chapters, William Sleator leaves you in suspense. But, there is no sequal to this book so you don't know what happens. I would recommend this book because it is really interesting and you will wonder what will happen next. This book would be good for everyone because it has a little bit of everything in it. I learned that in the future when we are able to duplicate ourselves, it might not be as good as everyone thinks it will be. This book helped me understand that having a duplicate is not like having a twin sister or brother.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Duplicate, March 21, 2000

By 

Michele (Gahanna, Oh) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Duplicate (Novel) (Paperback)

"The Duplicate" was an exceptionally good book, which keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole story. It will keep your interest throughout the entire story, giving you several twists and turns to read through. When David finds a mysterious machine, the Spee-dee-dupe, which only copies living organisms, he thinks that all his problems are over. In this case, he could go out with Angela, and the duplicate could go to his grandmothers. Just use your imagination. You could spend the whole day at the mall, while the other was at school. All these possibilities are never ending, or in this case, a never ending nightmare. I'm sure you will find hardly any negative points in this book. In the begining of the story it gives you some very unnecessary information which makes it a little boring. Throughout the whole story, everything is written flawlessly untill you reach the end. It has an okay ending, but it's kind of hard to really picture people acting the way they do. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, wether you're a bookworm, a Sci-fi freak, or just the opposite of those. This action packed book is remarkably suspenseful, and everyone should read it at least once in their life time.This book also teaches you a lot about life. It taught me that you can necer take the short cut through life. Always sort out your problems as they come along, and never leave one behind, because it will always be with you.