In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang
An internat
ional industry has developed where people with more time than money are paid to play for hours on massive multiple player online (MMO) games to earn virtual wealth that can then be sold to people with more money than time. The ethics of this are debatable but the reality is that the “farmers” are often poorly paid and have very little influence on their working conditions. It is this that Doctorow addresses in this graphic novel collaboration with illustrator Jen Wang.
Anda is a socially awkward girl who joins the Fahrenheit Clan, an all-girl team in a virtual world. She distinguishes herself quickly as a fierce fighter and is recruited by another to track and kill virtual “gold farmers”. Anda doesn’t really know what she is doing but she is getting paid real money for the “work” and continues to earn the respect of other fighters in this alternate reality. When she actually meets and talks to one of the virtual farmers, she finds a real person with real problems. Her perspective changes but her attempt to correct a wrong might create a bigger problem.
I have been a Doctorow fan since “Little Brother” and like his ability to bring up real world problems in young adult stories without hitting them over the head. The graphic novel format complements the storytelling and makes this complex problem accessible to young and older readers alike. It is a worthy purchase for all libraries.
