Uglies [Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Scott Westerfeld (Author), Carine Montbertrand (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2006

Tally Youngblood is quickly approaching her 16th birthday and the mandatory pretty-making surgery that accompanies it. But Tally isn't sure if she wants to be a placidly happy Pretty. When a top secret organization threatens her with remaining Ugly forever, she reluctantly spies on the rebels who have refused the surgery. They think it changes more than just looks and are working on a cure. But they need someone to become Pretty to test it out. "Teens will sink their teeth into the provocative questions ... [in this] high concept YA fiction that has wide appeal."-Booklist, starred review

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Recorded Books (2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1428113363
• ISBN-13: 978-1428113367
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (469 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,213,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Scott Westerfeld's teen novels include the Uglies series, the Midnighters trilogy, The Last Days, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and the sequel to Peeps. Scott was born in Texas, and alternates summers between Sydney, Australia, and New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

109 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't Put it Down, September 1, 2007

By 

M. Dartez (ATHENS, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Uglies (Paperback)

I am a middle school English teacher and enjoy reading Young Adult literature. I also have seen the Twilight Zone episode, with a very similar story line, and it was an episode that has lingered hauntingly in my thoughts....so when I heard of this series, I was very eager to read it. I don't frequently write reviews, but I had to react to the negative reviews that I saw on this site. Though the story line may not be original, the author writes beautifully, using specific vocabulary and beautiful similes, without, at least in my opinion, holding back the story line. Tally is a well-developed character, thoughtful and fully understanding the consequences of her actions. I saved this book for a three-day weekend but read it all last night and this morning. I was unable to put it down and am planning to read all three books this week. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy thinking about what our future will be like. I plan to share the first chapter with my Junior Great Books class. I think it will be great fodder for intellectual discussion.

92 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait to read the next one..., December 14, 2005

By 

L. Bligh "Teacher, Wife and Grad Student" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Uglies (Uglies Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

I have not read other novels by the author, but I will be after reading this one. This was an incredibly well written book. The setting was well created and the characters were believable and well developed. There are no great leaps of faith that one has to make with some science fiction attempts. The story line makes sense. You're wondering how could this all work, and just about when you get to the point were you have to have some type of explanation or you're going to get frustrated, the author gives it to you. And I liked the explanations and the logic behind how the world got to this point.

Uglies reminds of The Giver, in that the people feel as though they are in a utopia, and the reader thinks this is great to start out with, and then it all starts falling a part at the seams once you begin really thinking about the plot. I like this book because it raises some of the same questions; how much control should we give the people in power, should you question the world around you, what's with all the rules, conformity, but it does it with the whole idea of receiving cosmetic surgery and hoverboards. The science and technology added to this story make it easier to swallow then The Giver.

45 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uglies, anything but, August 28, 2006

By 

Nancy E. Merrill "Lit lover in Utah" (Salt Lake City, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Uglies (Uglies Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

I bought this book on the recommendations I found online and I'm really glad I did. The synopsis has already been well described here. I just want to add my "thumbs WAAAY up" to all the other glowing reviews. As I read this book, I kept thinking of how the concept of beauty changes so much over time. I wonder what will be considered beautiful in 300 years (about the time this series is set). I was also wondering who got to decide what was beautiful when the operations started, and had it evolved over time. Interesting things to ponder as you read...but making you think is what really good fiction should do.