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The Genius of M.T. Anderson's "Feed" (self.books)
submitted 1d ago by HanMarl
Feed is one of the most interesting and thought provoking books that I have ever read, I would put it up there with "Memory Police" and "1984". Although it's geared towards a young audience, it really has a meaning that I don't think many of the teenagers who read it will ever appreciate.
Of course, everyone who reads the book will understand it's overarching anti-consumerist message but I'm interested in how Anderson delivers his message.
​
The first way is the most obvious, there are multiple times where people can clearly see the damage that the Feed is doing some examples are the news reports about the president and the Global Alliance. Another example would be whenever Violet's father opens his mouth.
There are also subtler but still visible signs such as the parts about climate damage and
What I'm really interested in though, is the very small things that MTA does. Take, for example, when Violet and Titus have this discussion:
​
“Yeah. Unit. God, I’m so excited to be going to a real party.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Will it be like it is on the feed?”
I patted her hand. “Yeah. I mean, dumber, but yeah.”
This seems like a banal conversation but with further examination, it shows how much people rely on the Feed, even Violet who's supposed to be a Feed-denier gets her information from the Feed because there's nowhere else to get it from. I know, I'm probably overthinking it, but there are still countless other examples like this one.
My point is, MTA really paid attention to the small details in this one, and I don't see a lot of that in any the books that are new. Feed was special in that it wasn't just some other book that gave you a run-of-the-mill plot filled with overused tropes, but a unique story that made me want to read it again and again (which I did, 5 times).
It was, like I said, similar to 1984 and Memory Police because it made me pause and think.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed Feed too and if you didn't, you should probably buy it soon. I know this post wasn't well-written but it's my first so don't blame me.
Of course, everyone who reads the book will understand it's overarching anti-consumerist message but I'm interested in how Anderson delivers his message.
​
The first way is the most obvious, there are multiple times where people can clearly see the damage that the Feed is doing some examples are the news reports about the president and the Global Alliance. Another example would be whenever Violet's father opens his mouth.
There are also subtler but still visible signs such as the parts about climate damage and
What I'm really interested in though, is the very small things that MTA does. Take, for example, when Violet and Titus have this discussion:
​
“Yeah. Unit. God, I’m so excited to be going to a real party.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Will it be like it is on the feed?”
I patted her hand. “Yeah. I mean, dumber, but yeah.”
This seems like a banal conversation but with further examination, it shows how much people rely on the Feed, even Violet who's supposed to be a Feed-denier gets her information from the Feed because there's nowhere else to get it from. I know, I'm probably overthinking it, but there are still countless other examples like this one.
My point is, MTA really paid attention to the small details in this one, and I don't see a lot of that in any the books that are new. Feed was special in that it wasn't just some other book that gave you a run-of-the-mill plot filled with overused tropes, but a unique story that made me want to read it again and again (which I did, 5 times).
It was, like I said, similar to 1984 and Memory Police because it made me pause and think.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed Feed too and if you didn't, you should probably buy it soon. I know this post wasn't well-written but it's my first so don't blame me.
corbin_struthers 12 points 21h ago
This was a book that informed a lot about how I thought about the world as a young adult 10-15 years ago. Loved it, been thinking about it the past couple of years and would like to reread it.
The MC POV is so fascinating and it's disturbing how similar it seems we start to think the longer we all have a Feed just in our pockets.
The MC POV is so fascinating and it's disturbing how similar it seems we start to think the longer we all have a Feed just in our pockets.
pinkrobotlala 9 points 18h ago
So this is probably weird but I read it in my grad program about YA books and my project for it was to write a poem about how beautiful the lesions were. It really stuck with me.
I think about this book a lot and I'm wondering if I might be able to teach it in 10th grade honors
I think about this book a lot and I'm wondering if I might be able to teach it in 10th grade honors
NebuLiar 3 points 17h ago
I first read it a bit before 10th grade, so I'd say yes. This would be an outstanding and thought-provoking age-appropriate book for your class, IMO
rosefiend 2 points 17h ago
Definitely. YA books are great for schools. Tobin does a lot with language and subtext - he's great.
HanMarl [OP] 2 points 12h ago
My 9th grade summer school teacher taught it to us so it should be fine.
pinkrobotlala 1 points 9h ago
I am starting a new job this year so I'll feel it out for next year!
Caleb_Trask19 11 points 22h ago
I agree too, how this book hasn’t exploded on BookTok and had an amazing second act I don’t know?
Sauce_Pain 4 points 20h ago
What sticks in my mind from when I read it in my teens is the scene where the protagonist has a breakdown and...orders loads of pants for some reason. Great book though.
peedidhe 4 points 19h ago
Can relate
HanMarl [OP] 1 points 12h ago
Yes, that freaked me out.
peedidhe 4 points 19h ago
I read this when I was pretty young (I was probably 12 and I'm in my mid 30s now) and it stuck with me. I thought about it for years. I recently revisited it as an adult and I was surprised at how much of what I remembered was just my own thoughts about the book rather than anything explicitly stated in the book. I think those small details u/MagazineOrdinary7808 mentions played a big role in how I processed and retained the book through the (twenty, wtf) years
laconicflow 5 points 17h ago
He has other good books, there's one about a vampire you should check out. I found feed and his work generally to be very thought provoking as well.
HanMarl [OP] 1 points 12h ago
Thank you.
makinghomemadejam 7 points 17h ago
One of the best opening lines ever: "We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck."
Effective-Papaya1209 3 points 19h ago
It's very well written but took me a while to recover from as its view of the future is so freaking bleak
HanMarl [OP] 1 points 12h ago
It certainly is.
KhonMan 3 points 18h ago
I guess I didn’t pay attention to when this was written. I read it recently and thought it was mediocre. Definitely targets a young audience and I think that is tough - on one hand that’s a good audience for the message, on the other hand I think it holds back the book.
Maybe I’ll re-read it sometime but I’m surprised to see such effusive praise for it when it didn’t leave much of an impression on me. So it goes.
Maybe I’ll re-read it sometime but I’m surprised to see such effusive praise for it when it didn’t leave much of an impression on me. So it goes.
HanMarl [OP] 1 points 12h ago
Yeah, it's an acquired taste.
cingulate-gyrus 3 points 17h ago
I read this book almost 10 years ago and I still think about it all the time.
pkvh 2 points 20h ago
I waiting for the hbo adaptation of feed.
HanMarl [OP] 1 points 12h ago
I know, I am so excited.
Fattatties 2 points 18h ago
I read this book shortly after release in 7th grade. Im 32 now and have read it more than i can count and is the only book I suggest. Its shocking how accurate mta was with what would become smartphones and not feeds but this book is eerily similar to our current social climate.
MagazineOrdinary7808 -16 points 23h ago
I completely agree with you about "Feed" being an interesting and thought-provoking book. It tackles important themes like anti-consumerism and the impact of technology on society. I appreciate how Anderson delivers his message in both obvious and subtle ways throughout the story.
The examples you mentioned, such as the news reports and Violet's father, clearly illustrate the damaging effects of the Feed. But it's the smaller details, like the conversation between Violet and Titus, that truly emphasize how deeply ingrained the reliance on the Feed has become.
I also admire how MTA paid attention to these nuances, making "Feed" stand out from other books. It's refreshing to read a story that isn't just a typical plot with overused tropes, but one that challenges you to think and contemplate the implications of the narrative.
Your enthusiasm for the book is evident, and I can understand why you read it multiple times. It's wonderful when a book resonates with us on such a profound level, reminding us of classics like "1984" and "Memory Police." Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and I hope others will be inspired to read "Feed" as well. Keep up the reading and writing!
The examples you mentioned, such as the news reports and Violet's father, clearly illustrate the damaging effects of the Feed. But it's the smaller details, like the conversation between Violet and Titus, that truly emphasize how deeply ingrained the reliance on the Feed has become.
I also admire how MTA paid attention to these nuances, making "Feed" stand out from other books. It's refreshing to read a story that isn't just a typical plot with overused tropes, but one that challenges you to think and contemplate the implications of the narrative.
Your enthusiasm for the book is evident, and I can understand why you read it multiple times. It's wonderful when a book resonates with us on such a profound level, reminding us of classics like "1984" and "Memory Police." Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and I hope others will be inspired to read "Feed" as well. Keep up the reading and writing!
edavison1 12 points 19h ago
Bot comment ^
NotReallyJohnDoe 2 points 19h ago
I agree but I can’t explain specifically why. Maybe it just too gushing with encouragement.
edavison1 4 points 18h ago
Classic ChatGPT voice and vocab for sure. Never commits to a position, just parrots back the sentiment of the parent prompt. Not pleased to see these more and more, trash content.
SteveToshSnotBerry 1 points 19h ago
Also the loss of words/language because of the overuse and over reliance on Feed, and it can be seen in almost every conversation.
This is probably one of my favorite books.
This is probably one of my favorite books.
HanMarl [OP] 2 points 12h ago
Yeah, it reminded me of the simplification of language in Newspeak.
NotReallyJohnDoe 1 points 19h ago
+1
Own_Nectarine2321 1 points 14h ago
I agree. I've lent my copy out so much, that I had to buy a new one.
gonegonegoneaway211 1 points 13h ago
I haven't read this in awhile but I still remember that moment when she gets into Gregorian chants and is bummed that the feed finally found something to sell her. It is a classic of well thought out dystopia that doesn't get talked about enough.
dianndycampsonyen 1 points 7h ago
Great opening line too.
HanMarl [OP] 1 points 6h ago
Yes
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