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Darwin's ChildrenStella Nova is one of a new kind of human. The SHEVA virus has altered the progress of pregnancy, resulting in children who are significantly different from what has been seen before. But many of the old-style humans aren't happy with this. Darwin's Children by Greg Bear tells of the ensuing struggles of the new children and their families in a hostile environment. Bear raises some intruiging questions of how viruses affect us - whether they just the agents of disease they are made out to be, or whether they play a much more integral part in our lives. He also creates a fascinating description of the social structures formed by the new kind of people. The thing is though, this is mixed in with a different kind of story - one of paranoia and dubious political decisions, reflecting the ultra security-conscious nature of post 9/11 America. I felt that this part of the story didn't really gel with the rest of it. For instance, we hear how the virus had had its effect in the rest of the world without the resulting paranoia, but this seemed to have no influence within the USA. In today's global society I find this most unlikely. I have to say though that I'm not very keen anyway on the genre of tense political thrillers, and so I'm probably biased in my view of how this aspect fits in with the rest of the story. I'd recommend that you read some of the other reviews to find out their opinions on this matter. I'd note also that this is really a sequel to Darwin's Radio and so maybe I should have read that first.
| Amazon.com info
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Mass Market Paperback
512 pages
ISBN: 0345448367
Salesrank: 427918
Weight:0.55 lbs | | Published: 2004 Del Rey | | Amazon price $7.99 | | Marketplace:New from $3.29:Used from $0.01 |
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| Amazon.ca info
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Mass Market Paperback
512 pages
ISBN: 0345448367
Salesrank: 77008
Weight:0.55 lbs | | Published: 2004 Del Rey | | Amazon price CDN$ 9.89 | | Marketplace:New from CDN$ 1.16:Used from CDN$ 0.01 |
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| Buy from Amazon.ca |
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| Product Description
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Greg Bear’s Nebula Award–winning novel, Darwin’s Radio, painted a chilling portrait of humankind on the threshold of a radical leap in evolution—one that would alter our species forever. Now Bear continues his provocative tale of the human race confronted by an uncertain future, where “survival of the fittest” takes on astonishing and controversial new dimensions.
DARWIN’S CHILDREN
Eleven years have passed since SHEVA, an ancient retrovirus, was discovered in human DNA—a retrovirus that caused mutations in the human genome and heralded the arrival of a new wave of genetically enhanced humans. Now these changed children have reached adolescence . . . and face a world that is outraged about their very existence. For these special youths, possessed of remarkable, advanced traits that mark a major turning point in human development, are also ticking time bombs harboring hosts of viruses that could exterminate the “old” human race.
Fear and hatred of the virus children have made them a persecuted underclass, quarantined by the government in special “schools,” targeted by federally sanctioned bounty hunters, and demonized by hysterical segments of the population. But pockets of resistance have sprung up among those opposed to treating the children like dangerous diseases—and who fear the worst if the government’s draconian measures are carried to their extreme.
Scientists Kaye Lang and Mitch Rafelson are part of this small but determined minority. Once at the forefront of the discovery and study of the SHEVA outbreak, they now live as virtual exiles in the Virginia suburbs with their daughter, Stella—a bright, inquisitive virus child who is quickly maturing, straining to break free of the protective world her parents have built around her, and eager to seek out others of her kind.
But for all their precautions, Kaye, Mitch, and Stella have not slipped below the government’s radar. The agencies fanatically devoted to segregating and controlling the new-breed children monitor their every move—watching and waiting for the opportunity to strike the next blow in their escalating war to preserve “humankind” at any cost.
From the Hardcover edition. |
| As affective and touching as the first one **** |
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I enjoyed this sequel to Darwin's Radio. It was as touching and affective (and suspenseful) as the first novel. I also appreciated the hard-science plot and the definitions and sources in the back of DC. I had spent a fair amount of reading time wondering how much of the whole genomic story could possibly ever happen.
Not much, apparently, though Bear makes clear that molecular biologists aren't all that sure. (Somehow I had overlooked the genetic origin of viruses and that explication, alone, was worth the price of admission.) I also liked the blending of science and belief. It was surprising and well done.
I could have done without the villainy attached to the Republicans and Foxnews. As I recall, when SF masters like Heinlein blamed pols, they did not specify party and used fictitious journalists as stand-ins for the industry. I wonder why writers like Bear (and Stross, to name another who does it) feel the need to push their personal politics in their readers' faces. Sign of the times, I suppose, or maybe their editors/publishers require it. Still, despite this flaw (neither book wallows in it), both were worthy, absorbing tales I recommend to all, whether hard SF fans or not. Bring a hanky. |
| Borderline Awful * |
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I have read a lot of reviews discussing how Greg Bear's prose is smooth and flowing, and that this book is full of biology, intriguiging, etc. Bull. Every other sentence is full of over-strained hyperbole, struggling to get attention with poor, over-stated comparisions like "the rain... drummed like a million bored fingers" (not an exact quote). This style added nothing to the plot and was so distracting to the point that I found my self not paying attention. Afetr about 1/3 of the way through I put it down and could not finish it.
There are too many outstanding sci fi books out there to waste your limited time on books like this. |
| OK sequel, too technical on genetics theory *** |
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After reading Darwin's Radio, I quickly picked up the sequel. The story itself takes place about 10 years later, and has 3 main sequences. The first and last part of the book is entertaining, and definitely a page turner. The problem lies in the middle portion of the book. Bear goes into a detailed discussion concerning genetics theory and ethics, but for this reader - way too much detail. I found myself skimming quickly through a good 150 pages, waiting for the story to pick up the pace.
Overall, it's good to find out what has happened to Mitch, Kate and their daughter Stella (who is now a teenager), but I was hoping for more... |
| The virus children reach adolescence *** |
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Scientists Kaye Lang and Mitch Rafelson are on the road. They flee and hide to keep their daughter safe. They need to keep ahead of the bounty hunters and the hysterical general public who are ready to turn them in. Their daughter Stella, product of SHEVA virus outbreak, is quickly maturing in the Virginia they are hiding. But Stella disappears, is caught by an informer, and transferred to camp run by Emergency Action (EMAC), with deprived of human rights. Fear and hatred of the virus children have made the 'Shevite' children quarantined by the government. The agencies fanatically devoted to segregating and controlling the new-breed children. A new disease begins killing SHEVA children in the special schools and camps. The public opinion becomes increasingly intolerant and EMAC even more powerful which leads to Mitch being jailed without trial. They get separated from their daughter permanently. Will the government's draconian measures be carried to their extreme?
In order to get into the book, the reader must have read the prequel Darwin's Radio. The retrovirus that caused mutations in the human genome and heralded the arrival of a new wave of genetically enhanced humans is continued in this book to show how the new children are reaching adolescence. The genetics and evolution viewpoint has been lessened since the first book to make room for more character development of Kaye, Mitch and Stella. Is is clear that the author has put lot more effort to make reader engage and feel the emotions of the tragedy. The new ways of communication by using complex verbal tricks, enhanced facial expressions, psychoactive chemical scents is well executed. Depicting the government as intolerant, gullible, complacent or savage to the point of attempting genocide is looming deliciously at the background. The book ends in a tragedy and brings out the first Shevite baby from their 16 year old parents.
Three (3) stars. Written in 2003. The virus threats -- we meet a woman whose pig's kidney transplant start producing horrific SHEVA mutations -- are technically very realistic. Although the book has focus shift to characters compared to the first book, it is still heavy on the medical jargon; there is an appendix to explain the many used acronyms. The disturbing thing in the story, also in the previous book, is the constant shifting of viewpoint. In one moment the reader is immersed into the thoughts of Stella and then suddenly ripped off to somewhere else. In some places these shifts take only 1-3 pages which is too little to be justified; they disconnect and make one feel frustrated. There are also side tracks, like an archaeological excavation that reveals Homo Erectus and Homo Sapiens being together, which are superfluous to the story (already explained in the first book). The ending is a little short and the reader is left wishing he would have seen more about the progress of the new society. This book is like an ice cream that melted before you could eat it. If the book had focused on the three lead characters and their survival the book would have been solid 5, because one genuinely starts to care for the people. Promising, but not necessarily satisfying read.
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| Mixing science and religion ** |
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I read Greg Bear expecting stories based on reality, on science and the cutting edge of biology. Unfortunately, "Darwin's Children" reads more like an extended epilogue to "Darwin's Children," and while offering a little in the way of scientific suggestion -- mostly speculation of what the next phase of human evolution would be -- it instead drops in a load of religion. To place a religious epiphany on the same level as a serious exploration and extrapolation of scientific principles is, to me, completely unacceptable. The religious elements of the story have little to no attachment to the actual story of "Darwin's Children." As a result, the addition of a religious epiphany feels less like an exploration of the ramifications of the existence of God and more like proselytizing by a religious convert who wants to place the existence of God on the same level of fact as the existence of evolution.
In a better context, an exploration of religious belief and how it can be reconciled with science and nature would be fascinating. But in the context of Greg Bear's hard-science reputation, "Darwin's Children" comes across more like malpractice. |
| not as good as the prequel *** |
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| good to know what the conclusion to the story is but in general it is not as good as the prequel. |
| The shape of things to come? **** |
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As with many of Gregg Bear's books this has strong scientific thread, but don't let that put you off too much - as with "Darwin's Radio" (the first book in the series) there is a glossary in the back, unless you have a fair knowledge of genetics you will need it.
As far as the story line goes I have dropped Bear one star because there were a couple of weakish angles, but that may be more from the point of view of my own beliefs rather than true literary demerit. Otherwise it is a good, well constructed story (as we expect of Bear) and holds the attention. Its scope covers the personal angle, corporate and political intrigue, ethics, genetics, and archaeology which have all been well researched by the author.
Well worth reading if science does not give you the shakes! |
| average *** |
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| An absolutely average book with lots of poor supporting characters and weak plot, lacking new ideas (compared to Darwin's Radio) or compelling moves. Everything Kaye and Mitch do here can be described as wandering in the dark and hoping for another deus ex machina, or even epiphany as it is. Anyway, is Bear serious bringing up theology and metaphysics? Things like talking newborns and a professional archaeologist discovering evidence by force of imagination are ridiculous. |
| Homo Superior for the 21st Century **** |
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The virus children of Bear's `Darwin's Radio' are growing up in a terrified world. The children are being rounded up and kept in special schools where they are studied, but not allowed to learn anything which might help them escape.
Bear sequels in the past have not lived up to the quality of the first instalment and sadly, this is the case here. Despite it being a good solid novel and streets ahead of most of the competition it lacks the tightness and pace of the original. It also includes a rather unnecessary exegesis on the part of Kaye who experiences an encounter with what appears to be God. Unfortunately this never really dovetails into the structure at all and lacks relevance.
However it is an exciting examination of Neo-Darwinism and Bear provides an excellent afterword which includes further recommended reading on the subject.
Taking the two books as a whole the work can be seen as a Twenty First Century update on Van Vogt's `Slan' with echoes of `The Midwich Cuckoos'. The nature of Bear's homo superior is very interesting. They communicate on various levels; by scent, colour flashing of the marks on their faces and in a strange two-levelled speech by which more than one meaning or message can be conveyed at once. They form bonded `families' which they call demes and seem to have lost any desire for competitive behaviour, finding co-operation to be a better genetic survival strategy.
In context `DC' is a post-aids retrovirus-aware work of paranoia, set in a declining USA. Sadly, Bear gives us only brief glimpses of how the virus children are treated elsewhere in the world. An Indian taxi-driver, for instance, at one point talks quite happily of his `Shivite' grand-daughter and of how proud the family are of her.
There is an upbeat ending in which society has grudgingly accepted its children and they live in their own communities. More and more Shivites are being born among the general population in waves every few years.
It's hard to see how Bear could get a third novel from this idea but one suspects that there is another story in there somewhere, waiting to be hatched.
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| Good, but could've been so much more. **** |
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| This is a good solid book that follows on well from Darwins Radio. It gets bogged down in scientific terms in places, as if Bear is showing us what he knows rather than progressing the story and the story lines could have been developed so much more, with more focus on some plot lines and less on others. Never the less if you like Darwins radio, you will like this and overall it is a good story that keeps you turning the pages. |
| Darwin's Legacy **** |
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| I've been a fan of Greg Bear for sometime, it started, I think, with Eon. Like Orson Scott Card, another favourite, Bear writes stories about people, draped over a science fiction setting, driven by the same emotions as us all. In that regard, Darwin's Children doesn't disappoint; there's no escaping Mitch and Kaye's love for their daughter and each other, tested as it may be. After finishing Darwin's Radio, I was hesitant to pick up the sequel. I found Darwin's Radio to be cluttered with genetics 101 to the point of losing the story. Darwin's Children doesn't make that mistake. It finds a better balance of story and science. I read on the web that the book will soon be turned into a movie, which surprises me, as there's very little in the book that would seem attractive to Hollywood. It's a great read that gives pause. Enjoy. |
| Could have been happy with just Darwin's Radio *** |
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This sequel tells the story of Kaye's daughter up to about 16 years of age. The new species of man Bear creates proves to be not all that different. There are new social interaction possibilities, and new english phrases, but they really aren't that much different. This makes it not that interesting. Additionally, the more group focus of the new species leaves the individual characters seeming disinterested or plain.
If you liked Darwin's Radio - I would suggest you leave it at that, and use your imagination instead of reading this. |
| The first novel from Bear I didn't finish ** |
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| Greg Bear was my favorite writer, period. If I saw a new novel from him, I'd buy it, no questions asked. But Darwin's radio falls short. His mutated children characters could be fascinating, but he doesn't spend enough time on them. On and on we go, about Washington, hearings, and recriminations. Hey, if I wanted to see that crap, I can turn on C-SPAN and watch the 9-11 hearings, I don't need to pay eight bucks. Where is the wonder and majesty of the Way, in the Eon series? The vast loneliness of space, and awesome sense duty in the Forge of God books? The strangeness and alien humanity in Queen of Angels? This book is a disappointment. If you want to go find the wonder that was Greg Bear, go get yourself an Alistair Reynolds book. That guy ROCKS! And Mr. Bear, please go back into the wonder business, so I can go back to buying your books again without worring about wasting my time. |
| Boring, Disjointed and Over-rated *** |
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| The sequel to the considerably better Darwin's Radio lacks much of interest - the injection of recent understandings of the possible role(s) of viruses in evolution aside. The topic matter at hand truly could lend itself to very interesting story-telling, but in this text Bear does not seem to push hard enough. What it lacks is a penetrating insight needed to take expository texts into the realm of worthwhile fiction. Also, I think that a chief problem in the plot arcs is that they do not cohere very well. Much is left out and context is often absent, with the result for me being that I really didn't follow the story - as it were - too closely. I found myself skipping/skimming over large portions of the text. The "science is good" in the text, sure, but the "science is good" also in Scientific American. In the SF genre, good science absent good ploting means, ultimately, a less fruitful yield. What perhaps irks me the most is that the actual payoff of the text is so asymmetrical with the tout & hype. Put another way, if this is considered "masterful" science fiction, then we are in a dark period of science fiction writing. My view is that the science fiction genre, emblazoned as it used to be with irreverance and occasional iconoclastic brilliance, is now almost completely subject to creativity-dampening strictures of political correctness. Bear's work is almost a monment to P.C. in writing. Put anoyther way: P.C. and S.F. are utterly incompatible. Since the publishing industry will not publish those texts which do not jibe with current notions of what's P.C., and since the American readership is evidently so docile and easily pleased, then we may predict an extended dark age for the SF genre. However, to give Bear proper credit for not being completely P.C., he does engage the issue regarding the peopling of the Americas. This contribution to the discourse alone made me bump Bear's work up from two to three stars. All praise be the vestigial remnants of independent thought!!! |
| X-Men 2 All Over Again *** |
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| This isn't really a bad book, but it is almost a rehash of the second X-Men movie. Here you have a school (or a series of schools) for gifted children beset by government officials or self-appointed vigilantes who want either to kill them outright or put them in "camps", as in the X-Men movie. I kept expecting adamantine claws to extend from a character's hands to slice up a bad guy (but that never happened). I tried to push the images of Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Children out of my mind, but I couldn't do it. The writing is competent, but the drama is flat. The other lasting criticism I have of both books together (Darwin's Radio and Darwin's children) is that the specialness or unique qualities of the new children aren't made all that clear. Perhaps this will come in the last novel of the series. As it is, there are far greater classics of mutants in the genre. It's hard to beat Van Vogt, Stapelton, and Sturgeon who've already done it better. |
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