For me the best science fiction takes a single concept that could change the world as we know it, and then explores the human implications of that chaFor me the best science fiction takes a single concept that could change the world as we know it, and then explores the human implications of that change, good and bad. Even though Keyes isn't a typical science-fiction author, and Flowers for Algernon is not your typical science-fiction book, it's almost perfect science-fiction. The story follows a simple trajectory - of a man with well below normal IQ who gains superhuman intelligence from an experimental operation. From that simple concept we get a heart-rending story with a strong message about how we treat and judge each other as human beings. It's touching and respectful, and will enthral even non-genre fans.
Merged review:
For me the best science fiction takes a single concept that could change the world as we know it, and then explores the human implications of that change, good and bad. Even though Keyes isn't a typical science-fiction author, and Flowers for Algernon is not your typical science-fiction book, it's almost perfect science-fiction. The story follows a simple trajectory - of a man with well below normal IQ who gains superhuman intelligence from an experimental operation. From that simple concept we get a heart-rending story with a strong message about how we treat and judge each other as human beings. It's touching and respectful, and will enthral even non-genre fans....more
Pitched as a book that would do for microbes what Dawkins did for genes, it doesn't quite hit that mark. Along with moments that can be both enlightenPitched as a book that would do for microbes what Dawkins did for genes, it doesn't quite hit that mark. Along with moments that can be both enlightening and frightening, there are parts of the book that feel mundane and trying too hard to be extraordinary. It's does succeed at being an easily digestible exploration of a field that is poorly understood and, as the book makes clear, unfairly maligned. You will learn a lot....more
The narrative of the Middle East is a fascinating tragedy, well told by James Barr. None of the actors come out of this well. The squabbling, fading eThe narrative of the Middle East is a fascinating tragedy, well told by James Barr. None of the actors come out of this well. The squabbling, fading empires of France and Britain are at the heart of it all, both obsessed with maintaining their place in the world at the expense of the Arabs. The Arabs themselves come across as bumbling and incompetent, except for perhaps the Druze and Bedu, but they are all riven by petty in fighting that allows the "great powers" to maintain control of their lands. The Zionists come later to the story as ruthless killers and extremists - founding a country on terrorism, political manipulation and mass immigration from the West. Only the Americans come out with any glory - in the early years wielding their growing economic power to force the British and French to move towards freedom and democracy for the Arabs. But later they succumb to hypocrisy - supporting the Zionists to secure elections and the British to control oil.
Barr brings all of this history to vivid life by focusing on the characters that created it, their motives, their scheming and antics so crackpot they would strain credulity in fiction. The wonderfully eccentric Sykes starts it all off, but the line in the sand is just a starting point - a hook for a story told many times before. The way it is told is what makes this so absorbing - Barr delves into the lives of the people who made the history, often surprising, sometimes even amusing the reader with the black humour. The way the characters describe each other often shows the hostility and contempt that boils under the surface.
"Confound the silly chattering windbag of conceited, gushing, flat-chested, man-woman, globe-trotting, rump-wagging, blethering ass." "A fat, slug-like creature with no brain."
This history ends with the creation of Israel, but as this book so brilliantly shows us, the impact of the decisions made a century ago are still being felt today. The tragedy continues, and the "great powers" still meddle and it brings no resolution. ...more
A lively and inspiring read that seems fresh even though I've read dozens of these books now. A lively and inspiring read that seems fresh even though I've read dozens of these books now. ...more
An interesting twist on history non-fiction that mostly works. It's strongest when it inserts you bodily into the era, making you feel the emotions ofAn interesting twist on history non-fiction that mostly works. It's strongest when it inserts you bodily into the era, making you feel the emotions of the time - especially poignant when conveying the horror, sorrow and plain confusion of the repeated plagues. It falters when it resorts to historical shopping lists to cover sections on food, furniture and clothing, sometimes feeling like a series of Wikipedia entries....more
Powerful crime thriller, with the larger than life characters developing as strongly as the central mystery. The location too is its own character, wiPowerful crime thriller, with the larger than life characters developing as strongly as the central mystery. The location too is its own character, with the sun parched Australian outback seeping its way into every living thing, every act and every story....more
A well written, engaging, and very filmic novel that builds and wraps up neatly, but is ultimately as shallow as the Hollywood blockbuster it became. A well written, engaging, and very filmic novel that builds and wraps up neatly, but is ultimately as shallow as the Hollywood blockbuster it became. There's some Girl with the Dragon Tattoo here, and All the Presidents Men, but both did it better. ...more
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