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A review by bkwrm1317
The Genius Plague by David Walton
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
SF thriller by David Walton, an engineering contractor for Lockheed Martin (hence why our main character works for the NSA and isn’t self-critical, I suppose).
Disappointed that the acknowledgement doesn’t manage to even mention the linguistic anthropologists whose work is undoubtedly a major source of research for this novel like Daniel Everett, I’d guess, among others.
Our protagonist, Niel, has just secured a job at the NSA, following in his father’s footsteps, when his older brother Paul nearly dies at the hands of a paramilitary group in the Brazilian Amazon. Paul, a mycologist, escapes by walking through the jungle, and discovers a bioluminescent species of fungi on the way.
A fascinating reflection on language-as-code, and what a species might do to help itself survive.
A near perfect novel for me in the beginning 2/3, regardless of my initial complaints here, but the ending was lackluster for me and stepped too far away from the brainy code breaking of the plot line that got us there.
Disappointed that the acknowledgement doesn’t manage to even mention the linguistic anthropologists whose work is undoubtedly a major source of research for this novel like Daniel Everett, I’d guess, among others.
Our protagonist, Niel, has just secured a job at the NSA, following in his father’s footsteps, when his older brother Paul nearly dies at the hands of a paramilitary group in the Brazilian Amazon. Paul, a mycologist, escapes by walking through the jungle, and discovers a bioluminescent species of fungi on the way.
A fascinating reflection on language-as-code, and what a species might do to help itself survive.
A near perfect novel for me in the beginning 2/3, regardless of my initial complaints here, but the ending was lackluster for me and stepped too far away from the brainy code breaking of the plot line that got us there.