You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by darkenergy
Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress
4.0
Firstly doing my best to keep in mind this was written in 1993, well before the Human Genome Project was completed. For the record, all of the modifications described in this book are either impossible to do under current science, or extremely unethical (CRISPR is known to make off-target modifications, I know there's an updated system but I don't think it's perfect yet). I will note that you would notice a lack of shortening telomeres without needing to conduct an autopsy, though of course it might not be something doctors regularly check for. (I have so many thoughts on "immortality" genes! They're very similar to my thoughts on FTL!)
Anyway.
Anyway.
I do recommend putting any science issues on hold because this entire book is a fascinating exploration of privilege and disparity in experience, one which I don't think would be nearly as successful without the way in which the characters' lives are set up. Kress also examines society's half-assed attempts to correct for what it perceives as privilege, which having been on the receiving end of, yeah you should be mad at them for sucking at properly addressing it. (I am not talking about affirmative action, although that's the lazy approach as well - I'm talking about how "gifted" kids are treated in school, among other things.)
The choices the characters make throughout this book are interesting, as are the short- and long-term consequences, because alliances aren't strictly a matter of genomes - they shift over time and by who one sees as their real "in-group".
To me the best sci-fi uses what ifs to make bold statements regarding the status quo, and I think this absolutely does that.
THAT SAID.... I do think I have to warn y'all that the end has this rather uncomfortable bit involving the exotification of a, I believe, Pacific Islander, and the relationship itself has potential consent issues. Heads up. It did unfortunately dim the good bits when it came up, even if it's a small part.
Anyway.
Anyway.
I do recommend putting any science issues on hold because this entire book is a fascinating exploration of privilege and disparity in experience, one which I don't think would be nearly as successful without the way in which the characters' lives are set up. Kress also examines society's half-assed attempts to correct for what it perceives as privilege, which having been on the receiving end of, yeah you should be mad at them for sucking at properly addressing it. (I am not talking about affirmative action, although that's the lazy approach as well - I'm talking about how "gifted" kids are treated in school, among other things.)
The choices the characters make throughout this book are interesting, as are the short- and long-term consequences, because alliances aren't strictly a matter of genomes - they shift over time and by who one sees as their real "in-group".
To me the best sci-fi uses what ifs to make bold statements regarding the status quo, and I think this absolutely does that.
THAT SAID.... I do think I have to warn y'all that the end has this rather uncomfortable bit involving the exotification of a, I believe, Pacific Islander, and the relationship itself has potential consent issues. Heads up. It did unfortunately dim the good bits when it came up, even if it's a small part.