"The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing" is a historical novel by M.T. Anderson that follows the life of a young African American boy named Octavian. Set during the American Revolutionary War, Octavian is raised in a scientific community that studies him as part of an experiment on race and intelligence. The story explores themes of identity, freedom, and the moral implications of scientific inquiry. As Octavian matures, he becomes increasingly aware of the injustices surrounding him, particularly the realities of slavery and oppression. His journey leads him to question the values of the society that has raised him, ultimately seeking his own path to freedom and self-discovery amidst the turmoil of the Revolutionary War and the abolitionist movement.