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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
The human side of next generation innovations. Towles is a wonderful author.
This book will most likely haunt me in my sleep. It's nothing like a 'ghost story' scary, but I have chills all over reading it. And I just cannot stop thinking about it.
It tells mainly about genetic engineering, or, what the Vitek company prefers to say, genetic nudging. Sam, the protagonist, is dissatisfied with his dad, and so he plans to steer his future offsprings towards the best probability available.
Under 50 pages, this is a delicious short story. But it's not for you folks who demand answers because if anything, it brings so many more questions to the table. "You Have Arrived at Your Destination" is a statement said by the automobile GPS machine, but after reading to the very last sentence, it might serve a double meaning for the protagonist and his life so far.
It tells mainly about genetic engineering, or, what the Vitek company prefers to say, genetic nudging. Sam, the protagonist, is dissatisfied with his dad, and so he plans to steer his future offsprings towards the best probability available.
Under 50 pages, this is a delicious short story. But it's not for you folks who demand answers because if anything, it brings so many more questions to the table. "You Have Arrived at Your Destination" is a statement said by the automobile GPS machine, but after reading to the very last sentence, it might serve a double meaning for the protagonist and his life so far.
i'm not sure i entirely got this one... some scary messages with respect to genetic engineering of embryos but in a fairly refreshing way. but i felt like i was supposed to understand something more profound than i did.
3.5 *
First half or so, this was a 5* read. Last half, especially towards the end, is a bit of a let down.
Great narration in the Audible edition. Interesting concept and long stretches where I thought this was going to be near perfect.
First half or so, this was a 5* read. Last half, especially towards the end, is a bit of a let down.
Great narration in the Audible edition. Interesting concept and long stretches where I thought this was going to be near perfect.
I would say 3.5 stars would be a good rating for this short story. Having read two of Towles novels this past year, I knew I would have to physically read the story, or listen and read simultaneously. I tested this theory out by listening to the first two minutes without looking at the text and I just couldn't focus well enough. This was not at all similar to Towles other novels as it is speculative science fiction, so I had no idea what to expect. The premise actually seems pretty realistic as parents/scientists/doctors have a little more control over the genetics of their babies, though of course, not to the extent that is in this novella. Still, this story brings up the idea that just because you can, should you? The whole predictive contours part of it was kind of silly, but it did kind of poke fun at the glitz and glam of those types of clinics. I liked Nick and Beezer, but Sam himself was a bit of a jerk, although I suppose the idea is that he has learned with this experience. The ending is somewhat final in that he apparently makes a decision, but it's hard to tell if that's what Annie wanted or if it's the right decision. The story was well written overall and I'm glad I chose to read it.
I have not read any other of the stories in the "Forward" series nor have I read any other Towles books. I read this without anything else to compare it to.
I thought the story had an impressive and interesting twist to the usual sci-fi/baby engineering story that we have all seen or read. I felt for Sam as he was hit with information he clearly was not prepared for. I found myself getting more and more anxious as his time at Vitek progressed.
My disappointment began after Sam left Vitek. I know that it is a short story, and by definition, only has so much story to tell. But like other reviewers mentioned, the ending seemed rushed and, well, unfinished. There were small tangents that seemed like a whisper of a bigger story that would never be told. It left me unsatisfied.
I thought the story had an impressive and interesting twist to the usual sci-fi/baby engineering story that we have all seen or read. I felt for Sam as he was hit with information he clearly was not prepared for. I found myself getting more and more anxious as his time at Vitek progressed.
My disappointment began after Sam left Vitek. I know that it is a short story, and by definition, only has so much story to tell. But like other reviewers mentioned, the ending seemed rushed and, well, unfinished. There were small tangents that seemed like a whisper of a bigger story that would never be told. It left me unsatisfied.
To say that this book reminded me of Ian McKellen for its richness in character, unexpected plot shifts and thematic insight, would usually be high praise. But after having read Gentleman in Moscow, I was a bit disappointed. For one thing, it i just too thin of a work after reading Towles's dissertation on how to lead life to the full. Worse, though, the language lacked the effusive charm, humor and richness of the previous work. If I had read it in the New Yorker, I probably would have enjoyed it more, but the power of expectations here leads to disappointment.
Saved this one for last of the series but it turns out it wasn't my fave. Methinks this just isn't Towles' genre.
Very interesting and entertaining
I read this story from the Forward series really fast! It was captivating and thought provoking. I loved it! This was a unique way of looking at the idea of designer fertility.
I read this story from the Forward series really fast! It was captivating and thought provoking. I loved it! This was a unique way of looking at the idea of designer fertility.
This just seemed boring and pointless. Not much of a story there at all and what semblance of a story there was, it didn't have much of an ending.