Little Brother by Cory Doctorow is praised for its engaging plot, timely themes of surveillance, and tech-savvy protagonist. Critics commend its relevance to contemporary issues and its appeal to young adults. Some reviews highlight the didactic tone and heavy exposition as drawbacks. Nonetheless, it remains a thought-provoking and thrilling read.

Readers who enjoy Little Brother by Cory Doctorow are tech-savvy, interested in social justice, and captivated by themes of surveillance and civil liberties. Fans of Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World will appreciate its dystopian narrative, while those who enjoyed The Hunger Games will find its rebellious spirit appealing.

In Cory Doctorow's Little Brother, 17-year-old Marcus Yallow leads a tech-savvy rebellion against the Department of Homeland Security after San Francisco is transformed into a police state following a terrorist bombing. With the help of teenage gamers and using his skills to outsmart surveillance, Marcus confronts the challenges of privacy, free speech, and personal growth in his fight for freedom. This book includes instances of terrorism and violence, including the waterboarding of a teenager.

Suspenseful / Adventurous / Informative / Challenging / Inspirational

- Little Brother was initially released under a Creative Commons license, allowing readers to freely download and share the book.
- Cory Doctorow mentions that Bruce Schneier, a renowned security expert, served as an inspiration and fact-checker for some of the technical elements in Little Brother.
- The book won the 2009 Prometheus Award, which is granted to outstanding works of science fiction that explore ideas of personal and economic freedom.

Cory Doctorow

Novel

Little Brother

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Little Brother and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Little Brother Summary and Study Guide

Background

Little Brother Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4 

Little Brother Chapters 1-4  Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-9

Little Brother Chapters 5-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-14 

Little Brother Chapters 10-14  Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-19

Little Brother Chapters 15-19 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 20-21, Epilogue, and Afterword

Little Brother Chapters 20-21, Epilogue, and Afterword Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Little Brother Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Little Brother Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Little Brother Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Little Brother Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Little Brother Essay Topics

Little Brother

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Little Brother?

Reading Age

Book Details