Uglies

Uglies is a science fiction novel by Scott Westerfeld, published in 2005. It is the first book in the Uglies series, followed by Pretties, Specials, and Extras. The novel is set in a future dystopian world where everyone is turned "pretty" by extreme cosmetic surgery upon reaching the age of sixteen.

Plot summary

Cover of Uglies

The story follows Tally Youngblood, a fifteen-year-old girl living in a society where everyone is considered "ugly" until they undergo a mandatory operation to become "pretty." Tally is eagerly awaiting her sixteenth birthday so she can join her friend Peris in New Pretty Town. However, her plans are disrupted when she meets Shay, another "ugly" who is skeptical of the operation and plans to run away to a hidden settlement called the Smoke.

Tally is faced with a difficult choice when the authorities, known as Special Circumstances, give her an ultimatum: find Shay and the Smoke, or never become pretty. Reluctantly, Tally sets out to find the Smoke, but her journey leads her to question the society she lives in and the true meaning of beauty.

Themes

Uglies explores themes of identity, conformity, and the societal obsession with physical appearance. The novel critiques the idea of enforced beauty standards and raises questions about individuality and freedom. It also delves into the ethical implications of cosmetic surgery and the loss of personal identity in the pursuit of perfection.

Characters

• Tally Youngblood - The protagonist, a fifteen-year-old girl who is eager to become "pretty."
• Shay - Tally's friend who is against the operation and runs away to the Smoke.
• Peris - Tally's best friend who has already become "pretty."
• David - A boy from the Smoke who helps Tally see the world differently.
• Dr. Cable - The head of Special Circumstances, who manipulates Tally into finding the Smoke.

Setting

The novel is set in a future world where cities are isolated and self-sufficient, with advanced technology and strict societal rules. The society is divided into "Uglies," "Pretties," and "Specials," each with distinct roles and appearances. The Smoke represents a place of freedom and resistance against the oppressive norms of the city.

Adaptations

Uglies has been optioned for film adaptations multiple times, with various directors and producers attached to the project. As of the latest updates, a film adaptation is in development, aiming to bring the vivid world of the novel to the screen.

Related pages

• Pretties
• Specials
• Extras
• Scott Westerfeld