Recent Activity

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  Thirteen by Richard Morgan

  Thirteen is the American title of this Richard Morgan novel. In England it was released as, "Black Man". I just added this to my "to-read" list after hearing an interview with the author. He calls the genre speculative fiction. This novel is set in the future and explores what the world might be like after one hundred years of genetic manipulation.

  It piqued my interest because of a couple of interesting points he made.

  First is the act of looking backwards in time and realizing how difficult it is to fix large scale social mistakes. The example he presented was looking back at colonialism and recognizing it as the root cause of many unsolvable global and political problems. His novel takes a similar vantage point and attempts to look back (from the future setting) to examine unsolvable problems caused by unrestrained biotechnology.

  The second illuminating point he made was about the impetus for genetic modification. Plastic surgery, breast augmentation, and liposuction are examples he gives of elective surgical procedures in great demand today that achieve body shapes that don't naturally occur in nature, but rather in the societal mind (he says pornography). Morgan supposes that genetic alternatives to surgical techniques would find similar acceptance.

  From there he makes the logical conclusion that genetic enhancements would be influenced by society and those in control of the society and novel explores those results.

  Sounds like a very interesting read of an author that is new to me.

  Posted 15 Sep 07

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  Social Book Sites

  Scott Gilbertson reviews goodreads.com calling it Flickr for your books. But, he mentions a bunch of others. Anyone using MyLibrary for Google Books, LibraryThing , Shelfari or any others regularly and have an opinion?

  Posted 11 Sep 07

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  The Samurai's Garden

  boo-hoo, lost my review just before posting. I'll try it again tomorrow...

  Posted 21 Aug 07

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  The Collaborator of Bethlehem

  First novel by Matt Beynon Rees.

  It is subtitled An Omar Yussef Mystery, so there must be more planned.

  Setting is Bethlehem and Omar's friend is charged with collaboration with Israelis, for the sniping death of a wanted figure. Yussef is a history teacher at the local U.N. school and gets drawn into investigating the murder in an attempt to clear and free his friend.

  It's not a very long read and one learns much about life in Bethlehem for Muslims and Christians, mistrust, friendship and secret past lives. It's very well written. The author was the Jerusalem bureau chief for a number of years. If you enjoy mysteries and have an interest in the region, you'll probably enjoy this read.

  Omar is a very likable main character. We appreciate personalities that can keep their rational minds in difficult situations. This is Omar's attitude as he transitions from a passive to active character; despising yet tolerating his life situation, then becoming a more activist person confronting evil and overcoming his own fears in an attempt at justice.

  This is a story from a Palestinian viewpoint. Israeli soldiers make a brief appearance, but there is no meaningful interaction between them.

  Excellent read and I can't wait for more Omar Yussef novels in the future.

  Posted 15 Aug 07