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The Ear, the Eye and the Arm (Firebird) by…
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The Ear, the Eye and the Arm (Firebird) (original 1994; edition 2002)

by Nancy Farmer

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingConversations / Mentions
2,794535,080 (3.99)1 / 67
The year is 2194 in Zimbabwe, Africa. The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm takes place in a world of computer animated Dobermans and genetically engineered monkeys; a world where creatures called She Elephants (that aren't actually elephants) mine for plastic in a toxic dump. Robots and rockets are the norm. Basically, insert your favorite sci-fi stereotype here. It is also a world full of ancient African cultures and traditions. Witchcraft, spirits, and powers beyond human recognition rule the landscape.
In this landscape are Tendai, Rita, and Kuda. They are the overprotected and bored children of General Matsika, Chief of Security. Matisika has too many enemies so homeschooling, work, play; essentially his children's every blessed second is spent behind gigantic heavily guarded walls. Much to his father's disappointment, Tendai, the oldest child, will never make a good warrior. Tendai is the gentlest and most sensitive of all the children. He has the ability to physically feel the harm done to others. Rita, the middle child, is fiery and headstrong; not afraid to speak her mind or start a fight with anyone, human or otherwise. Kuda, by default the youngest, is impetuous and bold; simply not afraid of anything.
Confined as they are, the three children are eager to break out of their homemade prison when given the chance. And rest assured, break out they finally do. There wouldn't be a story otherwise. Once the Matsika children find a way to trick their babysitter, the adventure outside the fortified mansion begins and it is not what any of them expected. Sold into slavery, the children are forced to work along side the vlei people sorting trash for a tyrant so large she is called "She Elephant." It is not a spoiler to say they escape from this predicament only to fall in the trap of another and another and another.
General Matsika, consumed with remorse for letting down his guard for a second, hires a mutant detective agency called Ear, Eye, Arm to find his children. Ear has super sensitive hearing. Eye (you guessed it) has super sight. Arm is the most unique of all as he can feel empathy to the point of seeing into one’s soul. Together they chase the children from one entrapment to the other. The ending combines science fiction with ancient African customs for a Hollywood ending. ( )
  SeriousGrace | Dec 23, 2020 |
Showing 1-25 of 53 (next | show all)
FROM AMAZON: The year is 2194, and Tendai, Rita, and Kuda are the children of Zimbabwe's wealthy and powerful chief of security. They've escaped from their father's estate to explore the dangerous city of Harare--and promptly disappear. Their parents call in the Ear, the Eye, and the Arm, detectives whose exposure to nuclear waste has given them special powers. Together they must save the children from the evils of the past, the technology of the future, and criminals with plans much more sinister than anyone could have imagined. ( )
  Gmomaj | Jan 13, 2024 |
Takes place in 2194. Includes interview with the author, glossary, further information on Zimbabwe.
  VillageProject | Sep 21, 2023 |
I enjoyed this book, but it had problems.

The story is about a group of 3 children who go out into the world and get kidnapped. Excessively. They get kidnapped, and escape, and then kidnapped again, and escape, over and over again. To the point where it stops being believable.

The other problem is that the author set out to write a sci-fi novel. I know this, because she says so in the introduction. It is not a sci-fi novel. The book has a bunch of stock sci-fi features, but they are randomly stuck onto the story. She could have easily written the book, and then put them all in later. "Hmmm... I should replace the maid with a ... robot maid!" and "Hmmm... instead of being a skyscraper, I will make this building a MILE HIGH! HA! Bet they never saw that one coming!"

Really, the book is a novel steeped in the religious traditions of Zimbabwe. I think adding in the random sci-fi elements really detracts from that, but the book still manages to be pretty good. ( )
  mvolz | Jul 10, 2022 |
children's adventure fiction (a futurist Zimbabwe with robots, and ancestral spirits; Tendai is about to turn 14). This award winner should be counted among the classics along with A Wrinkle in Time. There is violence but only a little blood--somehow it is made more slapstick than graphic, but the Masks gang is established as a terrorist group (which brings up new, too-real associations since the original publications) that tortuously kills children and other people as sacrifices to the spirit world. ( )
  reader1009 | Jul 3, 2021 |
This was a very unusual book. It was fun seeing what the author imagined Zimbabwe to be in the 22nd century. The kids were great characters and there was a bit of character development for them. The detectives were also interesting as they tried to find the children. As the children fell into one horrible situation after another it began to be a bit much for me, but overall it was a fun adventure that I think kid in the intended age range would really enjoy. ( )
  Cora-R | Mar 16, 2021 |
The year is 2194 in Zimbabwe, Africa. The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm takes place in a world of computer animated Dobermans and genetically engineered monkeys; a world where creatures called She Elephants (that aren't actually elephants) mine for plastic in a toxic dump. Robots and rockets are the norm. Basically, insert your favorite sci-fi stereotype here. It is also a world full of ancient African cultures and traditions. Witchcraft, spirits, and powers beyond human recognition rule the landscape.
In this landscape are Tendai, Rita, and Kuda. They are the overprotected and bored children of General Matsika, Chief of Security. Matisika has too many enemies so homeschooling, work, play; essentially his children's every blessed second is spent behind gigantic heavily guarded walls. Much to his father's disappointment, Tendai, the oldest child, will never make a good warrior. Tendai is the gentlest and most sensitive of all the children. He has the ability to physically feel the harm done to others. Rita, the middle child, is fiery and headstrong; not afraid to speak her mind or start a fight with anyone, human or otherwise. Kuda, by default the youngest, is impetuous and bold; simply not afraid of anything.
Confined as they are, the three children are eager to break out of their homemade prison when given the chance. And rest assured, break out they finally do. There wouldn't be a story otherwise. Once the Matsika children find a way to trick their babysitter, the adventure outside the fortified mansion begins and it is not what any of them expected. Sold into slavery, the children are forced to work along side the vlei people sorting trash for a tyrant so large she is called "She Elephant." It is not a spoiler to say they escape from this predicament only to fall in the trap of another and another and another.
General Matsika, consumed with remorse for letting down his guard for a second, hires a mutant detective agency called Ear, Eye, Arm to find his children. Ear has super sensitive hearing. Eye (you guessed it) has super sight. Arm is the most unique of all as he can feel empathy to the point of seeing into one’s soul. Together they chase the children from one entrapment to the other. The ending combines science fiction with ancient African customs for a Hollywood ending. ( )
  SeriousGrace | Dec 23, 2020 |
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  lcslibrarian | Aug 13, 2020 |
00002027
  lcslibrarian | Aug 13, 2020 |
What a great story, with lessons that extend beyond what is actually written. Set about 170 years in the future in Zimbabwe, 3 children go off on an adventure, but trouble follows.
Farmer turns around so many standards in American writing: There is no mention of anyone being black, but the 1 white protagonist is defined a couple of times as being white; the children realize they could get a Scout badge in Anthropology for studying the "British tribe". ( )
1 vote juniperSun | Oct 2, 2019 |
Set in Zimbabwe in the 2194, the story follows the three overprotected siblings of General Matsika, who leave their mansion to explore the city for the first time. They are nearly immediately kidnapped, forced into slavery, and then escape only to find themselves held against their will in three other, very different circumstances before finally finding their way back to their parents and safety.
This Newbery Honor Book has an interesting way of blending an vision of the future with the traditions of Zimbabwe's past, and the plot and characters are engaging and fun to follow, too. I'm still thinking through my thoughts about this being written (in the mid-90s) by a white woman and how that affects the story; I would love to read a response to the book by a POC, or better yet, read a retelling or a sequel by the same. ( )
  electrascaife | Jul 15, 2019 |
love Love LOVE! ( )
  Starla_Aurora | Oct 29, 2018 |
What an adventure! ( )
  bookishblond | Oct 24, 2018 |
Tendai, Kuda, and Rita are the sheltered children of the chief of security of a futuristic Zimbabwe. When they decide they want to have an adventure, they manage to sneak off their property out into the underbelly of the city. There, they fall off the radar, and their father hires three detectives with special powers (Ear, Eye, and Arm) to find the lost children. The story jumps between narratives of Ear, Eye, and Arm and of the kids.

This was a fantastic adventure story in a futuristic land. I've loved several of Farmer's books, and this one didn't disappoint. I loved the way she split the story so that we could see both the pursuers and the pursued. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes kid's science fiction, or to kids between the ages of 9-12. I wish my nephew read, because I'd insist he read it. :) ( )
  The_Hibernator | Sep 27, 2016 |
Exciting adventure set in Zimbabwe in 2194. Also deftly explores the clash of historical traditions with the future technologies & societies. Lots of page-turning action and well-developed characters, plus lively dialogue and a good sprinkling of humor. Not just for children (ages 11 up), or just for science fiction fans. ( )
  Cheryl_in_CC_NV | Jun 6, 2016 |
For strong readers in 4th and up. Takes place in a dystopian future Africa and both the characters and the settings are so incredibly rich and vivid. Non-stop action adventure, complex sibling dynamics, it's a glorious book.
  ClaraN | Mar 10, 2016 |
In future Zimbabwe, three detectives are on the case of kidnapped children. Each of the detectives has a mutation that helps the investigation: the Eye has excellent eyesight, the Ear can hear a pin drop miles away, the Arm is very...can't remember. Whatevs. A fun adventure story! ( )
  wealhtheowwylfing | Feb 29, 2016 |
A great young adult book, solid from start to finish. Set in 2194, science fiction and fantasy blend almost seamlessly. Three children, led by Tendai, an almost-14 year old, escape from the over-protective father, the feared but mostly benevolent General Matsika, to go on an adventure in a Zimbabwe that is half very modern and half very ancient. Kidnapped almost immediately, their story makes about about 60% of the book. The other 40% goes to the Ear, the Eye, and the Arm of the title -- three mutants with enhanced senses who run a down and out detective agency. Part of the delight of the book is the rich variety of places, characters, and mythology that contextualize the tale. Farmer manages to do this with a minimum of info-dumps. There's a brief glossary cum history at the end that, like the glossary added to some editions of Clockwork Orange, serves mostly to confirm what you've already inferred in reading. The other delight is Farmer's ability to occasionally make her world more real through a casual phrase or observation.

Highly recommended. ( )
1 vote ChrisRiesbeck | Mar 30, 2015 |
It's got a playful sort of spirit about it with impossible coincidences happening all the time and funny turns of phrase. "Fancy show cats yawned contemptuously at the crowds that milled around them."

A neighborhood of ancient plastic trash that is alive with zombie-like people lies directly adjacent to a walled neighborhood sized-country that is not even part of the world where ancient village life continues purposefully unmolested by the modern world.

Tailing three missing children through the plot are three total weirdos with special abilities caused by a long ago toxic waste spill. "I think we're pretty nice," but they're enough to give even the most hardened city criminals pause yet they end up raising an unwanted witch-twin.

It's a long journey but all that began with the quest for a boy scout badge ends well.
  knownever | Dec 28, 2014 |
In Zimbabwe in the year 2194, the children of a high-ranking general are kidnapped and a trio of detectives with special abilities is on the case. I can't remember any other book set in the future of Africa; it's a continent science fiction seems to ignore, so this is an interesting change of pace, written by an author who lived in Zimbabwe for many years. The story is an exploration of the capitol city as the children make their way through an irradiated garbage dump, a walled-off enclave filled with separatists living in a village of the past, a robot-riddled English home, and a mile-high hotel arcology. The detectives are mutants with the powers of super-sight, super-hearing, and super-sensitivity, which makes their part of the story a bit reminiscent of a fairy tale like The Six Who Went Far. Best for older kids, as there's some very scary (and fairly gory) stuff, though it doesn't get too explicitly descriptive. ( )
  PlasticAtoms | Feb 22, 2014 |
RGG: Very interesting science-fiction story set in 22nd century Zimbabwe. The intersection of the future with African tribal culture is fascinating.
  rgruberexcel | Sep 4, 2013 |
There was a lot that I really enjoyed about this book - stories of Zimbabwe, especially some of the ancient culture and the beliefs, the interesting characters - great child protagonists, and a great sense of humor in many of the situations. But, the plot seemed to meander around and then at the climax, an arbitrary event occurs to resolve a very major conflict (no spoilers so this is vague). It almost seemed like it was time to wrap it up and that was a quick and easy ending. This is my 3rd book by Nancy Farmer and my least favorite, but still a good overall story.
( )
  jmoncton | Jun 3, 2013 |
Affecting story of the 3 kidnapped children of General Matsika. Set in a dystopian future Nairobi, and full of interesting characters. ( )
  satyridae | Apr 5, 2013 |
I wavered for awhile between three and four stars. There were parts of this I liked a lot, the world they moved through with elements from current politics, folklore, myth, history mixed together to make an imagined future Africa;that was pretty fascinating. There were some terrific and weird characters too. I ended up on three stars though because although the world was fascinating the plot was a bit static. The kids would have a burst of activity and escape or get lost or get stolen and then they'd just settle down in a new neighborhood with a new set of captors for another month or two, then suddenly it would happen again and they'd be in a new place where they'd settle down. Felt like big sections of the plot were just a way to see all these different neighborhoods and meet all these different people. Interesting neighborhoods and interesting people, but still. ( )
  bunwat | Mar 30, 2013 |
Loved this one! A really unique fantasy/sci-fi adventure. ( )
  Inky_Fingers | Nov 25, 2012 |
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm was a interesting book. I first tried to read it when I was in grade 6, but couldn't get past the first page. I tried in grade 7 again, determinded that I was going to read that book. The second time around I actually finished the book. I was quite surprised by the book. It was an odd book about 3 spys and some children but when I finished the book, I was sort of satisfied. It's not one of those kinds of books that I could read again but I give it 2 stars. ( )
  Tessa13 | Jan 10, 2012 |
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