Genesis
Author: Bernard Beckett
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Hardcover: 150 pages
Published: April 20,2009
GoodReads Summary:
“What does it mean to be human?” The answer lies within the mystery of Genesis. Set in a postapocalyptic future, the novel takes the form of an examination undergone by young Anaximander as she prepares to enter an enigmatic institution known simply as The Academy. For her subject she has chosen the life of the philosopher-soldier Adam Forde, her long-dead hero. It is through Anax’s presentation and her answers to persistent questioning by her examiners that we learn the history of her island Republic, along with the rules and beliefs of their society. At the completion of the examination, when everything has been laid bare, Anax must confront the Republic’s last great secret, her own surprising link to Adam Forde, and the horrifying truth about her world.
Like the great writers Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick, Bernard Beckett explores the relationship between humans and technology in a brilliantly rendered novel that will keep readers guessing until the final page.
My thoughts:
This book is the transcript of Anax's Interview with The Academy. Although the story's timeline takes place within a day, we are given a "history lesson" that spans hundreds of years.
This book really disappointed me until the ending. The ending was completely unexpected, and semi-redeemed the rest of the books flaws. This book was much too short. I felt like I barely got to know any of the characters. I think that there was an excellent storyline there, but page after page I was pounded with tons of information.
There were definitely some interesting aspects in the story (her relationship with her advisor, the interludes with the boy out in the hallway). I would have much rather expounded on some of these scenes, than hearing information that didn't apply to anything else in the story..
Although the book fell short in some areas, it really did make me think about humanity and what makes a human ACTUALLY human. What makes us different from other forms of life and robots? (Yes, the book has robots...don't worry, that part is well done). The robot poses the question to one of the characters in the book...What is the ESSENTIAL difference between us all. Morality? Love? It deals quite heavily in philosophy (for a YA novel), which can be a turn off for some.
Overall, I think this book would make a great prequel or a companion novella to a series. The ideas behind the book were wonderful, but the characters fell completely short for me.
This book is the transcript of Anax's Interview with The Academy. Although the story's timeline takes place within a day, we are given a "history lesson" that spans hundreds of years.
This book really disappointed me until the ending. The ending was completely unexpected, and semi-redeemed the rest of the books flaws. This book was much too short. I felt like I barely got to know any of the characters. I think that there was an excellent storyline there, but page after page I was pounded with tons of information.
There were definitely some interesting aspects in the story (her relationship with her advisor, the interludes with the boy out in the hallway). I would have much rather expounded on some of these scenes, than hearing information that didn't apply to anything else in the story..
Although the book fell short in some areas, it really did make me think about humanity and what makes a human ACTUALLY human. What makes us different from other forms of life and robots? (Yes, the book has robots...don't worry, that part is well done). The robot poses the question to one of the characters in the book...What is the ESSENTIAL difference between us all. Morality? Love? It deals quite heavily in philosophy (for a YA novel), which can be a turn off for some.
Overall, I think this book would make a great prequel or a companion novella to a series. The ideas behind the book were wonderful, but the characters fell completely short for me.
Judge a Book By It's Cover: The cover is alright. It's a scene from the book, but it's kind of boring. The grey doesn't do a whole lot for me.
Sorry the book was a bit of a letdown until the ending, but I'm glad at that at least it picked up for you!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the Saturday Situation.
THat's a bummer that it was a letdown of sorts. Although I really love these kinds of books (loved Asimov and Dick) so this might be something I would pick up at a future date. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThe premise sounded interesting and reminded me of The Giver in a sense (learning through a series of lessons rather than interviews) but information dump is never good.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the Book Party!
Sniffly Kitty
Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books
Sounds a bit like some other novellas I've read that have been just a bit too short to really flesh out the characters. But, there is something about the premise of this book that intrigues me. I have it on my watch list, at any rate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. Found it via Cym Lowell's blog.
Interesting book.
ReplyDelete..Stopping by from Cym Lowell's Book Party.
Stop by my blog for a book giveaway:
LITTLE PRINCES BY CONOR GRENNAN
http://silversolara.blogspot.com/
Chelsey Emmelhainz of HARPER COLLINS is graciously providing FIVE copies for five lucky winners.