"Genetopia" is the story of Flint, a young man in search of his possibly-abducted sister in a far future where nano- and bio-technology have influenced and accelerated the evolution of humans and their strangely altered surroundings. In this world, illness is always to be feared as symptoms can be a part of the transformation process: re-engineering active genes; mutating germ cells; migrating traits from species to species through plague and fever. This is a world where organic AIs grow in the jungle, either worshipped or feared, where trees sing to each other and new houses are grown to order. To find his sister, Flint must travel through communities and wildlands no normal person would brave. Flint's story is the story of the last true humans, and of the struggles between those who want to defend their heritage and those who choose to embrace the new. "Genetopia" will appeal to the core science-fiction market, but also to those interested in environmental, political, biological, and anthropological issues.
Genetopia
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Loose Bones
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Brooke very skillfully creates a rich, intriguing and orignal world for a grim but hopeful hero-quest. The main plot, following Flint as he goes out into the wild to reach the big city via a tortuous path, slowly reveals a depopulated post-industrial world of slavery and mutated human castes. This is broken by a few well-placed interludes that give insights from other character's perspectives, revealing the hopes of the enslaved Mutts and the mini-quest of Henritt for example. There's no great exposition, but there are hints this isn't imagined too far in the future, and that gene-therapy and nanotechnology was meant to create a world of modified natural organisms for sustaining humanity. But Flint demonstrates that meditation and accepting change are more valuable than the comforting nannying of an Oracle or sustaining a class bred for servitude. This is perhaps closer to the modern post-environmental crisis theme as in Paolo Bacigalupi's Windup Girl than Jack Vance's Dying Earth fantasy.
By bertybetta
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a keen sci-fi reader and I chose this book because of the good reviews. It didn't come up to what I was expecting but I have read worse.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
superb parable disguised as a thriller
17 Feb 2006
By Harriet Klausner
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
In the ancient settlement Trecosann, Flintreco Eltarn notices by her playful flirting with the Tallyman that his younger sister by four years Amberlinetreco is on the verge of maturing into a young woman. Still he rejoices that there remains enough of the child that he grew up with.
However, during a Treco clan gala, Flint cannot find Amber; he soon concludes that she is simply gone. No one seems concerned except Flint who knows she may have decided she had enough abuse from their cruel father and left on her own accord; however more likely Flint assumes the worst that slavers abducted her thinking she is a mutt for market. Feeling nothing toward any other member except perhaps hatred of his father, Flint decides over the objection of his kin, to search for the only family member he cares about, Amber; when he finds her as expects to do he will insure her safety even if he has to battle slavers and slave owners.
The above two paragraphs are the opening gambit in a futuristic tale in which biotechnology has gotten out of control. There are a few purebred humans who are subject to being tossed into the changing vats. There are also Mutts who are slaves whispering that one day they will be free; obvious parallels to the slavery of this country add depth. This is a thought provoking science fiction story that is more a coming of age tale that condemns any "ology" or ism that cause harm. The fascinating story line contains several interesting spins. For instance ironically the audience knows up front what happened to Amber while Flint can only conjecture while he learns who he is in a world off kilter, as Amber is just the mechanism to propel the hero to begin his quest. Fans of deep thrillers will appreciate this fine parable of a man frightened by what the future holds, but sets forth anyway.
Harriet Klausner
However, during a Treco clan gala, Flint cannot find Amber; he soon concludes that she is simply gone. No one seems concerned except Flint who knows she may have decided she had enough abuse from their cruel father and left on her own accord; however more likely Flint assumes the worst that slavers abducted her thinking she is a mutt for market. Feeling nothing toward any other member except perhaps hatred of his father, Flint decides over the objection of his kin, to search for the only family member he cares about, Amber; when he finds her as expects to do he will insure her safety even if he has to battle slavers and slave owners.
The above two paragraphs are the opening gambit in a futuristic tale in which biotechnology has gotten out of control. There are a few purebred humans who are subject to being tossed into the changing vats. There are also Mutts who are slaves whispering that one day they will be free; obvious parallels to the slavery of this country add depth. This is a thought provoking science fiction story that is more a coming of age tale that condemns any "ology" or ism that cause harm. The fascinating story line contains several interesting spins. For instance ironically the audience knows up front what happened to Amber while Flint can only conjecture while he learns who he is in a world off kilter, as Amber is just the mechanism to propel the hero to begin his quest. Fans of deep thrillers will appreciate this fine parable of a man frightened by what the future holds, but sets forth anyway.
Harriet Klausner
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
To be or not to be human...
19 Jun 2006
By Gayle Surrette
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Genetopia is about a dangerous world and its inhabitants. It's not a dangerous world because it's filled with monsters but because it can make a monster of anyone who touches, drinks, breathes, or walks in the wrong place. Nano- and biotechnology got into the wild a long time before our story, and True humans are doing everything they can to remain the dominant species. In this world any deviation from the norm can mark you as non-human and cost you your liberty or your life.
It's a marvelously rich book about what it means to be human and where we'll go in the future. It's also about a boy's journey into manhood and all the lessons he learns. In many ways this reminded me of Huckleberry Finn. It's a book that makes you think and that makes it a book worth reading. For the complete review see the February issue of SFRevu.com.
It's a marvelously rich book about what it means to be human and where we'll go in the future. It's also about a boy's journey into manhood and all the lessons he learns. In many ways this reminded me of Huckleberry Finn. It's a book that makes you think and that makes it a book worth reading. For the complete review see the February issue of SFRevu.com.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
British Male Octavia Butler
7 Mar 2013
By Rebecca A
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition
I have really enjoyed reading Keith Brooke's work. I loved Octavia Butler's writing style and way of thinking; she writes what I think of as organic sci-fi. I was very saddened when she passed and grieved her loss, sad as that sounds.
I have not found someone who compares to Octavia until Keith Brooke. I like how he writes a great sci-fi organic story, yet really addresses some current and social issues. Definitely looking forward to reading more future work from him.
I have not found someone who compares to Octavia until Keith Brooke. I like how he writes a great sci-fi organic story, yet really addresses some current and social issues. Definitely looking forward to reading more future work from him.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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