Deconstructing Dylan

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Choyce, an author well known for his gritty young-adult novels, again
deals with a common adolescent concern, the “Who-am-I” question. In
doing so, he switches genres from realistic to science fiction, but with
mixed success.

In the year 2014, Dylan, 16, is confronted by having to make a
“coming out” decision; however, his public declaration has nothing
to do with his sexuality. Instead, Dylan will reveal to the world that
he is a clone, the product of his scientist parents’ genetic
engineering.

The portions of the novel that work best are those in which Dylan is
being a typical teen, one who is dumped by his girlfriend because of his
oddness, but then finds another one in Robyn, the new girl in school who
adores his quirkiness. Part of Dylan’s being different is found in the
content of his strange dreams, both sleeping and awake, coupled with his
feelings that he is not alone in inhabiting his body. Most teen readers
will recognize well before Dylan does what it is that his parents have
hidden from him. But they, like Dylan, will have to wait to learn about
the cancer death of Dylan’s “unknown” older brother, the event
that precipitated Dylan’s parents’ action. In addition to having to
adjust to the knowledge that he is simply a “replacement” for his
parents’ lost child, Dylan learns that other, younger clones exist
elsewhere. And, because they are experiencing emotional difficulties, he
is expected to become their public role model. The book’s conclusion
feels rushed and Dylan’s altruistic act unbelievable. Not a
first-choice purchase.