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Astonishing life of Octavian Nothing, traitor to the nation ; v. 1. The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson

Anderson has, with great results, tried his hand at the teen drama/satire (Burger Wuss), the vampire story (Thirsty), and the dystopian science fiction novel (Feed). In his newest work he extends his range to historical fiction. The Pox Party is, like the life of the protagonist, astonishing.

Octavian comes of age during the build-up to the American Revolution. Told that he is an African prince, he and his mother are residents of The Novanglian College of Lucidity. At the college Octavian receives a classical education, studying Latin and Greek, science and music. He is taught by the members of the College, men so dedicated to reason and science that they have forsaken their names and call each other by numbers. As Octavian grows up he comes to realize that despite the top notch education and fine clothes provided by the College he is a slave. He is also the subject of an experiment to determine if Africans are a different species.

As the Revolution approaches, the college loses its patron and becomes the property of a group of investors. The new ownership changes the nature of the college and its experiments. As a result, Octavian begins to experience more and more of the life of a household slave.

When a smallpox epidemic threatens the colonies the collegians and their household retire to a country estate for a “Pox Party.” Each member of the household is exposed to the virus in hopes of immunizing everyone. Most people suffer only a mild reaction but a few, including Octavian’s mother, contract full-blown smallpox and die in agony. For Octavian this is the final straw and he escapes, joining up with a militia unit headed for a confrontation with the British in Boston.

The story is told through journal entries, letters, and other documents typical of the time period. Anderson gives Octavian and the other characters authentic 18th century voices. This makes the prose initially dense but persistence is rewarded as the story unfolds and Octavian grows. The reader develops a growing sense of indignation and anger, bordering on horror, along with Octavian as the true nature of his existence is revealed.

Anderson challenges our cultural “mythology” of the American Revolution. In the Pox Party it is the good guys– the colonists– who own and mistreat slaves. It is the bad guys–the British– who have eliminated slavery and offer a safe haven for escaped slaves. The good guys perform bizarre and sometimes dangerous experiments on unsuspecting slaves and even their own children. The author shines a bright light on the dark side of the American Revolution, making us face some unpleasant truths about the founding of our nation.

By Mr. Doyle

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