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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
It kept me engaged through most of it, but for me, it left too many questions unanswered to be a satisfying story. Also, I didn't care for the narrator.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This addition to the Forward collection was such an interesting idea. And it was one of the more compelling stories of the bunch, I think. It's essentially about genetic engineering, which is, of course, nothing new, but the way Towles tells this story was very exciting. And a little bit scary.
Sam and his wife want to have a child, but being wealthy modern parents, they also want to give said child the best chance possible. To have a good life. To be happy. To be successful. That's what leads them to Vitek, a fertility lab that specializes in what they call "genetic nudging". Sam is presented with three "projections", each one showing a potential life for their unborn child. Which will Sam pick?
What I really liked about this, though, is that Towles could have gone into all the old ethics of genetic engineering arguments-- is it right to play God? Is it right to design a baby? --but instead he takes a different route, which I found really interesting. It's kinda a spoiler, but
The true "message" of this one, if that's the right term, took a little thinking about. But I didn't mind that. I found myself pondering what it meant long after I finished. Thought-provoking with subtle power.
[b:Randomize|47137575|Randomize|Andy Weir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563467829l/47137575._SY75_.jpg|72182564] by Andy Weir - ⭑☆☆☆☆
[b:Ark|47137756|Ark|Veronica Roth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563469282l/47137756._SX50_.jpg|72182859] by Veronica Roth - ⭑⭑⭑☆☆
[b:Emergency Skin|47137668|Emergency Skin|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563468452l/47137668._SY75_.jpg|72182694] by N.K. Jemisin - ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
[b:The Last Conversation|47137706|The Last Conversation|Paul Tremblay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563468739l/47137706._SY75_.jpg|72182739] by Paul Tremblay - ⭑⭑⭑⭑☆
[b:Summer Frost|47137728|Summer Frost|Blake Crouch|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563468943l/47137728._SY75_.jpg|72182785] by Blake Crouch - ⭑⭑⭑⭑☆
Sam and his wife want to have a child, but being wealthy modern parents, they also want to give said child the best chance possible. To have a good life. To be happy. To be successful. That's what leads them to Vitek, a fertility lab that specializes in what they call "genetic nudging". Sam is presented with three "projections", each one showing a potential life for their unborn child. Which will Sam pick?
What I really liked about this, though, is that Towles could have gone into all the old ethics of genetic engineering arguments-- is it right to play God? Is it right to design a baby? --but instead he takes a different route, which I found really interesting. It's kinda a spoiler, but
Spoiler
I loved the idea that you can do absolutely everything within your power for your kids and still not get it right, and sometimes you can throw caution to the wind and gamble and win.The true "message" of this one, if that's the right term, took a little thinking about. But I didn't mind that. I found myself pondering what it meant long after I finished. Thought-provoking with subtle power.
[b:Randomize|47137575|Randomize|Andy Weir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563467829l/47137575._SY75_.jpg|72182564] by Andy Weir - ⭑☆☆☆☆
[b:Ark|47137756|Ark|Veronica Roth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563469282l/47137756._SX50_.jpg|72182859] by Veronica Roth - ⭑⭑⭑☆☆
[b:Emergency Skin|47137668|Emergency Skin|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563468452l/47137668._SY75_.jpg|72182694] by N.K. Jemisin - ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
[b:The Last Conversation|47137706|The Last Conversation|Paul Tremblay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563468739l/47137706._SY75_.jpg|72182739] by Paul Tremblay - ⭑⭑⭑⭑☆
[b:Summer Frost|47137728|Summer Frost|Blake Crouch|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563468943l/47137728._SY75_.jpg|72182785] by Blake Crouch - ⭑⭑⭑⭑☆
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
CONCERN: GENETICS
An oblivious story with an oblivious protagonist. What I saw as native advertising, but may not have been, seemed intrusive. It may have been "ironic", I can't tell. Basically about "genetic forecasting" where after having the DNA of the parents, the parents can choose the "contours" of their child's life in advance and get to pick from various scenarios. The protagonist is continually shocked by everything because he is oblivious. I constantly felt the need to roll my eyes. What a mess and waste of time.
An oblivious story with an oblivious protagonist. What I saw as native advertising, but may not have been, seemed intrusive. It may have been "ironic", I can't tell. Basically about "genetic forecasting" where after having the DNA of the parents, the parents can choose the "contours" of their child's life in advance and get to pick from various scenarios. The protagonist is continually shocked by everything because he is oblivious. I constantly felt the need to roll my eyes. What a mess and waste of time.
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I don't really understand the plot of this book but I did enjoy the bit where he was looking at the different scenarios.
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Quite interesting, with some fascinating, and slightly scary, ideas.
This one started out strong, but lost me a bit along the way
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read ‘Summer Frost’ by Blake Crouch in the ‘Forward Collection’ last year and liked it. This one was very promising when it started.
Sam is on the expressway, headed to Vitek, a modern fertility lab. He and his wife Annie decide to go in for IVF. Annie has already done a lot of the research and background work. Sam meets with Mr Owens (HT) at Vitek. During the discussion, Sam realizes that what Vitek offers is far more advanced than what he had assumed would be the case. He is explained that Vitek pursues ‘genetic nudging’ which influences the offspring’s life in profound ways. This is based on the genetic map and Vitek’s research based on a huge database of peoples’ attributes and behaviours. Sam is shown three simulations of how his son Daniel’s life could shape up. This leaves Sam stunned and introspective.
The premise is fantastic and can lend itself very well to a longer story as well. That said, the ending was a damp squib for me, among the poorest finishes of a story I have come across this year. I look forward to reading other stories in the ‘Forward Collection’ shortly.
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated