The Panopticon

A first novel by Scottish author Jenni Fagan, The Panopticon is about a 15 year old Scottish girl who is living "in care" at an institution for teenagers called 'The Panopticon'. The author draws on her personal history to paint a portrait of the life of young people who have grown up in the foster system. The book is worth reading for its dry humour, and for the beautiful development of the central character, Anais. This book is not for the faint-hearted when it comes to swearing and has the added twist of Scottish slang and dialect.

What is it similar to? The Panopticon has elements of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (the institutional setting and undercurrent of uncertain mental health), Vernon God Little (the constant swearing, first person narrative from a troubled teen, cutting commentary and local dialect) and even The Princess Diaries (straight up funny teen girl content).

Am I in the mood? If you feel like contemplating the complexities of our social systems and children in care, read this book. It is a great choice if you are in the mood for more of a character study than an adventure, though the characters do get up to some serious antics. It is funny in parts, but the humour is dark.

Find the book? Anywhere- I read it on my e-reader from the library, it is widely available.

Listen to an interview with the author about The Panopticon.
Read a British review.
Read a Canadian review.
Reviewers seemed somewhat skeptical about the breadth of knowledge of the main character, but I seem to recall being well-read and interested in many things in high school myself, and didn't feel that the author was reaching. 

Can't get enough? The Panopticon might just be made into a movie.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes, especially for the fantastic main character, but not to a friend who can't handle swearing/drugs/sexual content.