SERIES: Jen's Library (#6)

NANCY KRESS'S BEGGARS IN SPAIN

Published in 1993, this one’s another sci-fi novel and I need to say that for me, Beggars in Spain is purely literary candy.  On the one hand, the book seems somewhat plausible and almost potentially scary, but on the other hand, it is so far-fetched as to be totally unbelievable.  It’s the future and scientists have discovered a way for couples to choose how their children will turn out.  For example, if you wanted your child to have blue hair and blonde eyes (yes, I did that on purpose) you could give them the genetic predisposition for those attributes.  If you wanted your child to be musical, or athletic, predispositions could be genetically coded.  But those who would choose to augment their unborn children in such a way also had the ability to choose another option: sleeplessness.  To never require sleep.  Ever.  The book follows one such genetically modified person (and her non-modified “normal” twin sister) and cycles through society’s thoughts on the matter: hate, fear, protest, retaliation, segregation and acceptance.  Not necessarily in that order.  Spaceships are involved (and holograms) which is just cool - but more than that, it’s a study in science-fictional sociology.

TTFN
JMS

SERIES: Jen's Library (#3)

GEORGE STEWART'S EARTH ABIDES

Published in 1949, Earth Abides is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel about the aftermath of a disease that nearly wipes out the entire human population and what the few survivors do to begin rebuilding some semblance of a life.  The main character’s name is Isherwood Williams, “Ish” for short, which was one of the first things that struck me about this book.  For whatever reason, the character’s name stuck with me even years later.  I first had to read book this as part of a sociology class in high school.  I don’t remember anything else about this particular sociology class (except the teacher had a gigantic schnozola which was mildly terrifying and the unfortunate topic of many a teenage conversation; I couldn’t even tell you his name) but I remember this book.  I've read it several times since high school and every time I read it - as I mature, I suppose - I see or understand something else.  It’s dry and witty, insightful and encouraging, lonely and frighteningly real.  A solid, worthy read.

TTFN
JMS