Reviews

Genesis by Bernard Beckett

stephxsu's review against another edition

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4.0

How can I describe GENESIS in a way that will do it justice? It’s a chilling piece of dystopian literature, a psychological thriller that terrifies even though it takes place entirely in a four-hour-long conversation. It’s not light reading, for sure, and will force you to think long and hard about it days after you’ve finished the book.

On that note, though, I think that all the time you’ll have to put into thinking about this book and the issues it raises is completely worth it. There are long conversations that delve into questions of the worth of humanity and the dangers—and advantages—of artificial intelligence. The ending in particular was so unexpected, so original and yet so appropriate that once you’ve read it you can think of no other way to end the book. I would read this book again and again just to understand the circumstances that led up to the fascinating ending, an ending that will stay with you forever.

All in all, don’t miss GENESIS. It’s not a typical young adult read, that’s for sure, and will be difficult for many people to comprehend, but if you put the effort into it, trust me, it will be very worth it.

labunnywtf's review against another edition

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5.0

Surprise is the public face of a mind that has been closed.

WOAH.

WOAH.

FUCKING WOAH.

NO REALLY, WOAH?!

This is the book that's causing me to create the shelf I've thought of after a few different reads, which is the "You're going to need to immediately turn around and read this over again" shelf.

How do I even review this?

I really did think I saw where this was going. And skimming down the reviews, I see a lot of people who had the same smugness I did. Pfft. We're readers. We're dystopian readers. We clearly see where this is going.

NO WE DO NOT.

None of my "this is what is happening" thoughts were right. Well, some of them were a little right, but that ending? That ending punches you square in the face. IN THE FACE

Seriously, this review is saying nothing, just go read it. Thank me later.

savazelena's review against another edition

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5.0

I thought I spoiled it for myself with my pattern recognition but it wasn't what I expected it to be so I'm impressed!

sarahassaad_851's review

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

Read it for Year 8 English.
I hate it. It was boring. I didn't like the characters at all. It was philosophical and reflective but not in the interesting way to me.

trkravtin's review against another edition

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An intellectually challenging read with a twist. I have thought about this book many times as an example of an experiential read on multiple levels.

cathiedalziel's review against another edition

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5.0

Oh my God!! WTF!! (What the Future!)

A philosophy book based on the future, rooted in Aristotle, Plato's Republic and Socratic thoughts.
The Original Sin is revealed at the end ... and I'm not telling you what it is.

This book had so many wonderful thought-idea-provoking passages that it surely going on my physical bookshelf at home. I got a copy from the library for this read, but this is one book I know I will go back to many times.

THIS IS A MUST READ, and Re-READ FOR EVERYONE!

(How can I go back to trying to finish up "How To Eat a Cupcake" or the Bachman biography I'm in the middle of now, after reading a novel of this magnitude?...)

A small novel, but very powerful; it left my jaw dropping at the end of the story. I tell everyone it is a must read; I gave it 5 stars.

This book had so many wonderful thought-idea-provoking passages. I didn't see the ending coming in this one. Worth the read, just for the surprise. Lots of food-for-thought, philosophy-style. Very short, interesting book, with an intriguing format.

Which came first, the mind or the idea of the mind? Have you never wondered? They arrived together. The mind is an idea. ~Genesis

In the end, living is defined by dying ~Genesis

Time for lots of fresh air...Help us all on this path of evolution.

karireyn's review against another edition

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3.0

This one had an ending that really took me by surprise. I guess half way through the book a little of what was going on but I recommend it-very intriguing!

dioni's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

5.0

ruined_elegance's review against another edition

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4.0

I'm trying to work on writing more reviews but I have no idea how to sum this up for someone who has yet to read it since I can barely sum it up to myself. This is nothing at all what I expected and in the beginning I thought I'd be really disappointed by that but I wasn't. I'm not too often shocked by endings but this blew me away, I wouldn't have even considered it as an ending. I'd recommend this to anyone who shows interest but also would add that if possible to read it in one sitting, I found it difficult to continue where I left off so I had to backtrack a few pages.

webjoram's review against another edition

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4.0

Es difícil hablar de este libro sin destriparlo por error.
A lo largo de una “entrevista” para ingresar en la academia, Anax, una joven estudiante, analiza algunos hechos relevantes de un futuro cercano que han dado lugar a una sociedad utópica basada en la ciencia. A partir de las preguntas de sus examinadores Anax verá como muchas de sus creencias son socavadas y descubrirá que hay hechos de su historia que han permanecido ocultos.
Interesante novela no solo por los temas que plantea sino por la manera en que está estructurada y con un final que nos deja más preguntas que certezas.