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Mutation
Parce que l'idée d'avoir un enfant surdoué lui semble attirante, parce qu'il a découvert les gènes qui permettent la croissance des cellules nerveuses et que le flou juridique est notable en matière de manipulation génétique, Victor Franck, chercheur en biotechnologie, décide de faire naître un enfant à l'intelligence sans limites. Créateur d'un être mi-prodige, mi-monstre, Frank pourra-t-il accepter que le génie scientifique de son fils se détourne des lois morales les plus essentielles ? Ou bien, tel Abraham, devra-t-il sacrifier la chair de sa chair ?Un livre qui nous tient en haleine jusqu'à la réponse finale, magistrale. Spécialiste incontesté du thriller médical, Robin Cook doit ses connaissances scientifiques à son expérience de chirurgien. Mutation est son huitième livre.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
120 people are currently reading
3,424 people want to read
About the author
Robin Cook
175Ìýbooks4,868ÌýfollowersLibrarian Note: Not to be confused with British novelist Robin Cook a pseudonym of Robert William Arthur Cook.
Dr. Robin Cook (born May 4, 1940 in New York City, New York) is an American doctor / novelist who writes about medicine, biotechnology, and topics affecting public health.
He is best known for being the author who created the medical-thriller genre by combining medical writing with the thriller genre of writing. His books have been bestsellers on the "New York Times" Bestseller List with several at #1. A number of his books have also been featured in Reader's Digest. Many were also featured in the Literary Guild. Many have been made into motion pictures.
Cook is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Columbia University School of Medicine. He finished his postgraduate medical training at Harvard that included general surgery and ophthalmology. He divides his time between homes in Florida, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts where he lives with his wife Jean. He is currently on leave from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He has successfully combined medical fact with fiction to produce a succession of bestselling books. Cook's medical thrillers are designed, in part, to make the public aware of both the technological possibilities of modern medicine and the ensuing ethical conundrums.
Cook got a taste of the larger world when the Cousteau Society recruited him to run its blood - gas lab in the South of France while he was in medical school. Intrigued by diving, he later called on a connection he made through Jacques Cousteau to become an aquanaut with the US Navy Sealab when he was drafted in the 60's. During his navy career he served on a nuclear submarine for a seventy-five day stay underwater where he wrote his first book! [1]
Cook was a private member of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Board of Trustees, appointed to a six-year term by the President George W. Bush.[2]
[edit] Doctor / Novelist
Dr. Cook's profession as a doctor has provided him with ideas and background for many of his novels. In each of his novels, he strives to write about the issues at the forefront of current medical practice.
To date, he has explored issues such as organ donation, genetic engineering,fertility treatment, medical research funding, managed care, medical malpractice, drug research, drug pricing, specialty hospitals, stem cells, and organ transplantation.[3]
Dr. Cook has been remarked to have an uncanny ability to anticipate national controversy. In an interview with Dr.Cook, Stephen McDonald talked to him about his novel Shock; Cook admits the timing of Shock was fortuitous. "I suppose that you could say that it's the most like Coma in that it deals with an issue that everybody seems to be concerned about," he says, "I wrote this book to address the stem cell issue, which the public really doesn't know much about. Besides entertaining readers, my main goal is to get people interested in some of these issues, because it's the public that ultimately really should decide which way we ought to go in something as that has enormous potential for treating disease and disability but touches up against the ethically problematic abortion issue."[4]
Keeping his lab coat handy helps him turn our fear of doctors into bestsellers. "I joke that if my books stop selling, I can always fall back on brain surgery," he says. "But I am still very interested in being a doctor. If I had to do it over again, I would still study medicine. I think of myself more as a doctor who writes, rather than a writer who happens to be a doctor." After 35 books,he has come up with a diagnosis to explain why his medical thrillers remain so popular. "The main reason is, we all realize we are at risk. We're all going to be patients sometime," he says. "You can write about great white sharks or haunted houses, and you can say I'm not going into the ocean or I'm not going in haunted houses, but you can't say you're n
Dr. Robin Cook (born May 4, 1940 in New York City, New York) is an American doctor / novelist who writes about medicine, biotechnology, and topics affecting public health.
He is best known for being the author who created the medical-thriller genre by combining medical writing with the thriller genre of writing. His books have been bestsellers on the "New York Times" Bestseller List with several at #1. A number of his books have also been featured in Reader's Digest. Many were also featured in the Literary Guild. Many have been made into motion pictures.
Cook is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Columbia University School of Medicine. He finished his postgraduate medical training at Harvard that included general surgery and ophthalmology. He divides his time between homes in Florida, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts where he lives with his wife Jean. He is currently on leave from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He has successfully combined medical fact with fiction to produce a succession of bestselling books. Cook's medical thrillers are designed, in part, to make the public aware of both the technological possibilities of modern medicine and the ensuing ethical conundrums.
Cook got a taste of the larger world when the Cousteau Society recruited him to run its blood - gas lab in the South of France while he was in medical school. Intrigued by diving, he later called on a connection he made through Jacques Cousteau to become an aquanaut with the US Navy Sealab when he was drafted in the 60's. During his navy career he served on a nuclear submarine for a seventy-five day stay underwater where he wrote his first book! [1]
Cook was a private member of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Board of Trustees, appointed to a six-year term by the President George W. Bush.[2]
[edit] Doctor / Novelist
Dr. Cook's profession as a doctor has provided him with ideas and background for many of his novels. In each of his novels, he strives to write about the issues at the forefront of current medical practice.
To date, he has explored issues such as organ donation, genetic engineering,fertility treatment, medical research funding, managed care, medical malpractice, drug research, drug pricing, specialty hospitals, stem cells, and organ transplantation.[3]
Dr. Cook has been remarked to have an uncanny ability to anticipate national controversy. In an interview with Dr.Cook, Stephen McDonald talked to him about his novel Shock; Cook admits the timing of Shock was fortuitous. "I suppose that you could say that it's the most like Coma in that it deals with an issue that everybody seems to be concerned about," he says, "I wrote this book to address the stem cell issue, which the public really doesn't know much about. Besides entertaining readers, my main goal is to get people interested in some of these issues, because it's the public that ultimately really should decide which way we ought to go in something as that has enormous potential for treating disease and disability but touches up against the ethically problematic abortion issue."[4]
Keeping his lab coat handy helps him turn our fear of doctors into bestsellers. "I joke that if my books stop selling, I can always fall back on brain surgery," he says. "But I am still very interested in being a doctor. If I had to do it over again, I would still study medicine. I think of myself more as a doctor who writes, rather than a writer who happens to be a doctor." After 35 books,he has come up with a diagnosis to explain why his medical thrillers remain so popular. "The main reason is, we all realize we are at risk. We're all going to be patients sometime," he says. "You can write about great white sharks or haunted houses, and you can say I'm not going into the ocean or I'm not going in haunted houses, but you can't say you're n
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
January 28, 2019
I went back and looked at a couple of my previous Robin Cook reviews. I could pretty much repeat what I said verbatim. I suppose in the interest of keeping those following my reviews, I should spice it up a bit! Nothing spicier than BULLET POINTS!
- Cheesy, not the best writing, but very entertaining! - I usually find myself groaning at the cheesy silliness of a Cook novel. But, I also find myself devouring it. Maybe because I love cheese! (Mmmmmm, cheese - one sec, gotta hit the fridge!)
- Very dated - some books stand the test of time. With Cook, you can always tell exactly when it was written. Social attitudes, character descriptions, words, phraseology, etc. Look at the publication year and you will know exactly what to expect.
- Angry characters - I always feel like Cook's characters are very high strung and involved in very intense discussions. I find myself looking at the page and saying, "DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG - CHILL OUT, YO!"
- HIPAA - I work in healthcare. HIPAA is the law that basically is supposed to keep all medical information private and secure. In Cook novels, medical info is shared willy-nilly. However, it was a different time. Maybe Robin Cook's novels are responsible for the law! 😉
Basically, if you like medical thrillers, want a few hours of entertainment, love some cheesiness, and don't mind books that are not the finest literature ever, Robin Cook is worth a try!
- Cheesy, not the best writing, but very entertaining! - I usually find myself groaning at the cheesy silliness of a Cook novel. But, I also find myself devouring it. Maybe because I love cheese! (Mmmmmm, cheese - one sec, gotta hit the fridge!)
- Very dated - some books stand the test of time. With Cook, you can always tell exactly when it was written. Social attitudes, character descriptions, words, phraseology, etc. Look at the publication year and you will know exactly what to expect.
- Angry characters - I always feel like Cook's characters are very high strung and involved in very intense discussions. I find myself looking at the page and saying, "DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG - CHILL OUT, YO!"
- HIPAA - I work in healthcare. HIPAA is the law that basically is supposed to keep all medical information private and secure. In Cook novels, medical info is shared willy-nilly. However, it was a different time. Maybe Robin Cook's novels are responsible for the law! 😉
Basically, if you like medical thrillers, want a few hours of entertainment, love some cheesiness, and don't mind books that are not the finest literature ever, Robin Cook is worth a try!
December 19, 2021
The Frank's needed a surrogate for their 2nd child, VJ. Frank, being a scientist, altered the genes before implantation to have a genius child. I mean why not? Nothing wrong with a 3 year old being smarter than everyone on the whole planet. The Franks are surrounded with death and strange things start happening.
How are two parents so clueless? Especially the father who is a science genius and owns his own lab corporation. How does a 10 year old go around doing these things and no adults question him? Child is putting the cartels out of business before recess.
How are two parents so clueless? Especially the father who is a science genius and owns his own lab corporation. How does a 10 year old go around doing these things and no adults question him? Child is putting the cartels out of business before recess.
February 26, 2019
Mutation is the most creepy and frightful story I’ve read by Cook. I read it many years ago, and of course certain parts of it are outdated by now, but it’s definitely one of my favorites.
August 24, 2024
This was my first time checking out a Robin Cook book and fortunately it wasn't terrible. The story follows an OBGYN's attempt to create the "perfect" child after turning to surrogacy after it becomes evident that his wife has become infertile. There's a few different things going on such as liver cancer, nerve damage, artificial birth stuff and a plethora of medical terms I had to Google. The name "V.J." is said like, probably close to a hundred times so that was annoying. Check this out if you like the movie Splice and enjoy stuff like this, but don't go in with super high expectations. The subject matter isn't my favorite thing but the author's writing and a crazy fun ending make this a 3/5.
February 7, 2017
4,5
GrandÃsimo retelling de Frankenstein. Lo mejor sin duda los personajes, Victor, un cientÃfico loco que lleva la ciencia al extremo sin pensar en las consecuencias hasta que es demasiado tarde, VJ, un niño prodigio manipulado genéticamente, capaz de mentir, asesinar, traficar con drogas, e incluso secuestrar a su propia madre entre otras cosas con tal de llevar a cabo sus propósitos, por su frialdad e inteligencia, se ha convertido en uno de mis villanos favoritos de todos los tiempos, y por último está Marsha, la única que intenta poner un poco de cordura en todo esto.
En cuanto al desarrollo de la historia es bastante bueno ver como poco a poco se va descubriendo todo, lo único es que tiene un ritmo un tanto pausado, pero en ningún momento se pierde el interés por la historia, porque todo sucede de una forma muy interesante y creÃble, a pesar de ser un libro de ciencia ficción.
El estilo del autor es correcto, directo, sin florituras, sin monólogos filosóficos y existenciales ni grandes descripciones, nada que me desagrade, pero sin arriesgar absolutamente nada, nada que haga que esté como loco por leer más libros de este autor, con lo cual no quiero decir que sea malo.
A pesar de eso que es algo muy personal, recomiendo este libro a todos los fans de frankenstein y de la ciencia ficción, o si os interesa la medicina, o la biologÃa molecular porque toca todos eso temas de una forma muy interesante, planteando cosas que tal vez hoy en dÃa no sea tan descabellado que lleguen a suceder.
GrandÃsimo retelling de Frankenstein. Lo mejor sin duda los personajes, Victor, un cientÃfico loco que lleva la ciencia al extremo sin pensar en las consecuencias hasta que es demasiado tarde, VJ, un niño prodigio manipulado genéticamente, capaz de mentir, asesinar, traficar con drogas, e incluso secuestrar a su propia madre entre otras cosas con tal de llevar a cabo sus propósitos, por su frialdad e inteligencia, se ha convertido en uno de mis villanos favoritos de todos los tiempos, y por último está Marsha, la única que intenta poner un poco de cordura en todo esto.
En cuanto al desarrollo de la historia es bastante bueno ver como poco a poco se va descubriendo todo, lo único es que tiene un ritmo un tanto pausado, pero en ningún momento se pierde el interés por la historia, porque todo sucede de una forma muy interesante y creÃble, a pesar de ser un libro de ciencia ficción.
El estilo del autor es correcto, directo, sin florituras, sin monólogos filosóficos y existenciales ni grandes descripciones, nada que me desagrade, pero sin arriesgar absolutamente nada, nada que haga que esté como loco por leer más libros de este autor, con lo cual no quiero decir que sea malo.
A pesar de eso que es algo muy personal, recomiendo este libro a todos los fans de frankenstein y de la ciencia ficción, o si os interesa la medicina, o la biologÃa molecular porque toca todos eso temas de una forma muy interesante, planteando cosas que tal vez hoy en dÃa no sea tan descabellado que lleguen a suceder.
March 26, 2021
La historia se deja disfrutar si ignoras que el villano es un genio malvado de 10 años.
June 3, 2024
This thriller was completely ridiculous. At first, I was a little annoyed by the characters and story because all the characters were incredibly stupid and overly dramatic and the mystery was so obvious that I felt a little bored. However, at around the halfway point I decided that this book and its story were like a cheesy B-horror movie similar to It's Alive or Re-Animator, and after that, I was able to have a good time with my reading.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
December 1, 2015This book was a mess. BYE.
August 17, 2020
The things I do for research.
February 21, 2020
Hace años que no leÃa nada de Robin Cook. El primero que devoré fue Contagio, con relectura incluida y este lo encuentro igual de adictivo que me resultó Contagio en su momento. A mi parecer la historia se encuentra bien hilada, llena de giros, algunos esperados si ya conoces algo del autor. Sin embargo, es una buena manera de integrar avances de la biotecnologÃa o la medicina y cuestionar la fina lÃnea que separa el bien y el mal respecto a la ciencia. Me ha parecido interesante la similitud a otro gran clásico literario, que te pone los pelos de punta igual que este.
Read
October 18, 2009"Somehow she would have to face this last demon child, and with Joe's help, end forever the nightmare that her husband had begun."
These were the words of Marsha Frank, thinking of the experiment that her husband, Frank, had done at his laboratory, that had caused her son, along with several other children to become geniuses. Unfortunately, this also caused them to become so smart that the children were able to realize how much they could accomplish, and they would take out anybody who tried to get in their way. Mutation is the story of what happens to the Franks when they bring home their new baby, whom they call VJ, after his father Victor Sr., and the events that happen during the next few years. After the death of the Frank's first child, David, and their maid, the Frank's life seems to settle down for a time, until many seemingly unconnected events begin occurring. Robin Cook's Mutation captivated me with its realism and also scared me as I thought about how, with all the advancements in technology, this story could actually happen.
In Mutation, the characters are easily one of the best parts of the book. Each character has their own unique personality, and the way they interact with each other is extremely believable. VJ has all of the air of an evil genius around him, his father acts like the proud father that every father would act like if his son was a genius, and his mother is uncomfortable with certain aspects of VJ's behavior, just the way he acts and how he seems to have no emotion. All of these aspects give the reader clues often times to the way the story may be going or what may happen next. The way the author has the reader watching the parents as they find out more about VJ, and the different ways they react to what they discover, gives the book an air of mystery. I found myself not liking VJ and being a little creeped out by him and his plans for science. An author who can actually elicit emotional responses from the reader shows a good author, in my opinion.
A theme from this book that I interpreted was that, even though we may have the ability to alter and modify the human body to how we think it should be, should we? This issue has affected the lawmaking system many times and this book shows how doing this could affect the humanity of a person. This book could very well come true, and unlike the sci fi stories people read and then go and report seeing aliens in their backyard, the situation in Mutation could very well happen. It really makes the reader think, and some people may disagree with me but I think that some of the best books that I've ever read have made me think other than the time that I've been reading the book.
In conclusion, if you like a well written book that will make you think or if you are a biology nerd like me who wants to read an entertaining book, Mutation is a good choice. This book will keep the reader interested and entertained throughout the book. As the saying goes, "This will keep the midnight oil burning", or electricity or whatever you may use to make light to read by. If Mutation is put on your to read list, I doubt that you will be disappointed by it.
338 pages
These were the words of Marsha Frank, thinking of the experiment that her husband, Frank, had done at his laboratory, that had caused her son, along with several other children to become geniuses. Unfortunately, this also caused them to become so smart that the children were able to realize how much they could accomplish, and they would take out anybody who tried to get in their way. Mutation is the story of what happens to the Franks when they bring home their new baby, whom they call VJ, after his father Victor Sr., and the events that happen during the next few years. After the death of the Frank's first child, David, and their maid, the Frank's life seems to settle down for a time, until many seemingly unconnected events begin occurring. Robin Cook's Mutation captivated me with its realism and also scared me as I thought about how, with all the advancements in technology, this story could actually happen.
In Mutation, the characters are easily one of the best parts of the book. Each character has their own unique personality, and the way they interact with each other is extremely believable. VJ has all of the air of an evil genius around him, his father acts like the proud father that every father would act like if his son was a genius, and his mother is uncomfortable with certain aspects of VJ's behavior, just the way he acts and how he seems to have no emotion. All of these aspects give the reader clues often times to the way the story may be going or what may happen next. The way the author has the reader watching the parents as they find out more about VJ, and the different ways they react to what they discover, gives the book an air of mystery. I found myself not liking VJ and being a little creeped out by him and his plans for science. An author who can actually elicit emotional responses from the reader shows a good author, in my opinion.
A theme from this book that I interpreted was that, even though we may have the ability to alter and modify the human body to how we think it should be, should we? This issue has affected the lawmaking system many times and this book shows how doing this could affect the humanity of a person. This book could very well come true, and unlike the sci fi stories people read and then go and report seeing aliens in their backyard, the situation in Mutation could very well happen. It really makes the reader think, and some people may disagree with me but I think that some of the best books that I've ever read have made me think other than the time that I've been reading the book.
In conclusion, if you like a well written book that will make you think or if you are a biology nerd like me who wants to read an entertaining book, Mutation is a good choice. This book will keep the reader interested and entertained throughout the book. As the saying goes, "This will keep the midnight oil burning", or electricity or whatever you may use to make light to read by. If Mutation is put on your to read list, I doubt that you will be disappointed by it.
338 pages
January 8, 2011
I don't know if I've been living under a rock all these years, but I can't believe that I haven't discovered Robin Cook before (thank you, Sara)!
This book was everything creepy, alarming, eeire, horryifying, and any other scary adjective one could want in a medical horror story. The political and ethical undertone was just as intimidating and spine-chilling. This book scared me silly, exactly what I look for in this genre...totally science fiction, yet in the realm of truth.
I was a little disappointed in Marsha's reaction to learning her husband basically stole her eggs for experiementation which produced not one child, but two (which were given to other parents and now dead). She kind of brushed it off like it was a secondary problem to what was at hand at the moment. It was never brought up again (from Marsha's view point anyway); I thought it to be an abnormal reaction from a woman under these circumstances.
Overall, this was an excellent read and a really thought-provoking work of fiction. I resolve to spend 2011 catching up on Dr. Robin Cook's works!
This book was everything creepy, alarming, eeire, horryifying, and any other scary adjective one could want in a medical horror story. The political and ethical undertone was just as intimidating and spine-chilling. This book scared me silly, exactly what I look for in this genre...totally science fiction, yet in the realm of truth.
I was a little disappointed in Marsha's reaction to learning her husband basically stole her eggs for experiementation which produced not one child, but two (which were given to other parents and now dead). She kind of brushed it off like it was a secondary problem to what was at hand at the moment. It was never brought up again (from Marsha's view point anyway); I thought it to be an abnormal reaction from a woman under these circumstances.
Overall, this was an excellent read and a really thought-provoking work of fiction. I resolve to spend 2011 catching up on Dr. Robin Cook's works!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2024
Biotech researcher Victor Frank attempts to create the 'perfect' child through gene mutation. VJ Frank, at a mere ten years of age reveals he is exactly what Victor wanted, a child prodigy. Just when Victor is giving himself a good pat on the back for successfully creating the ideal son, VJ begins to expose some disturbing behavior and troubled moral notions. What is Victor to believe or even to do when the people closest to VJ begin dying... A monster and a mad scientist all in one-Victor's perfect offspring.
Robin Cook gave me exactly what I wanted with Mutation. A mini mad scientist and a father oblivious to his wife's concerns. I was held in suspense and then placed gently into a delightfully creepy twist. Thoroughly enjoyed this short read.
Robin Cook gave me exactly what I wanted with Mutation. A mini mad scientist and a father oblivious to his wife's concerns. I was held in suspense and then placed gently into a delightfully creepy twist. Thoroughly enjoyed this short read.
July 21, 2016
Une lecture divertissante.
November 7, 2017
Predictable and too much over the top, even for Cook's standards. It's more around 2.5 stars.
September 22, 2019
¡Qué gran descubrimiento este autor! Me encantó la historia, los personajes, la cuestión moral detrás de estos experimentos. Leeré más del autor.
January 29, 2023
A modern (as of 1989) reimagining of Frankenstein, in this case an OB/Gyn who tries to bioengineer his own special genius child. Except the resulting monster is just a caricature bad seed monster I couldn't pity or empathize with, and the doctor is also a monster who I couldn't pity or empathize with. So it's a mostly entertaining story, but only barely worth spending the time to read it.
Hardcover, picked up on a clearance shelf somewhere for $2.00
Hardcover, picked up on a clearance shelf somewhere for $2.00
June 3, 2019
Engaging story line about a brilliant chemistry/biologist dude who produces and injects a super gene into his unborn son. That's where the deceit, murder, and evil experiments start. Dr. Frank's character was at times cheesy-weak, but because the author is an M.D. and knows a thing or two about biotechnology and medical mumbo-jumbo, it brought a reasonable level of credibility to the story - much of it quite fascinating. Will read more Robin Cook. Thanks for the recommendation Savitri!
July 27, 2023
4,5 â�
Un excelente thriller biotecnológico.
Un excelente thriller biotecnológico.
February 11, 2016
Robin Cook is a staple in my library. Once again he delivered an engaging thriller with a touch of medical drama that entertained me for a couple of days.
This book could be a retelling of Frankenstein, if you like: a doctor is playing with genes instead of body parts, but the outcome is the same: a creature that will turn against the creator. Victor, the father, engineers a son with a higher than average intelligence. Much higher: sometimes he refers to his son’s IQ as a two-Einstein IQ. The mother, which � conveniently - is a psychiatrist and fills in for the concept of morality vs pure genetics, is the only one worrying over such a prodigy of a child. VJ, the 10-year-old evil genius, is creative enough to hire a South American drug dealer to finance his own laboratory. How the hell no one noticed a loner of a kid amassing lab equipment and basically replicate Geneva’s CERN under an abandon building is behind me but, you know� plot.
But even funnier is the kid visiting the bank almost on a daily basis, to use his safety box. A 10 years old with a safety box: hard to comprehend for an Italian mind. A 10 years old who accesses his own personal safety box without any supervision, because adults trust him and they don’t care what he is storing in a bank vault: science fiction.
This book could be a retelling of Frankenstein, if you like: a doctor is playing with genes instead of body parts, but the outcome is the same: a creature that will turn against the creator. Victor, the father, engineers a son with a higher than average intelligence. Much higher: sometimes he refers to his son’s IQ as a two-Einstein IQ. The mother, which � conveniently - is a psychiatrist and fills in for the concept of morality vs pure genetics, is the only one worrying over such a prodigy of a child. VJ, the 10-year-old evil genius, is creative enough to hire a South American drug dealer to finance his own laboratory. How the hell no one noticed a loner of a kid amassing lab equipment and basically replicate Geneva’s CERN under an abandon building is behind me but, you know� plot.
But even funnier is the kid visiting the bank almost on a daily basis, to use his safety box. A 10 years old with a safety box: hard to comprehend for an Italian mind. A 10 years old who accesses his own personal safety box without any supervision, because adults trust him and they don’t care what he is storing in a bank vault: science fiction.
May 31, 2013
It was a thrilling read and I finished the book in half a week. It was the classic message of science vs ethics. However, the plot was a little too predictable and I did not like the ending. VJ was called a monster a lot towards the end of the book. Maybe he was a monster in 1987 back when the book was written, but by today's standards, he will probably just be called an unethical (young) scientist.
Some food for thought by VJ:
"Morality cannot rule science because morality is relative and therefore variable. Science is not. Morality is based on man and his society, which changes over the years, from culture to culture. What's taboo for some is sacred for others. Such vagaries should have no bearing here. The only thing that is immutable in this world are the laws of nature that govern the present universe. Reason is the ultimate arbiter, not moralistic whims"
Some food for thought by VJ:
"Morality cannot rule science because morality is relative and therefore variable. Science is not. Morality is based on man and his society, which changes over the years, from culture to culture. What's taboo for some is sacred for others. Such vagaries should have no bearing here. The only thing that is immutable in this world are the laws of nature that govern the present universe. Reason is the ultimate arbiter, not moralistic whims"
February 12, 2019
Me cuesta mucho puntuar un libro cuya temática no me interesa. Creo que debà haberlo abandonado al leer la sinopsis. No sabrÃa decir si es o no un buen libro. A mi no me atrapó y de hecho se me hizo realmente tedioso.
June 4, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. It started me on my journey with Robin Cook. I read this 20 years ago and still recommend it to friends.
February 1, 2024
O gosto pelos livros do Robin Cook vem da adolescência, quando ainda não tinha a minha biblioteca de livros e ainda não tinha definido o meu género literário preferido. Ia à biblioteca dos meus pais buscar livros para ler. Li todos os que encontrei do Robin Cook, focados na Medicina, pois o autor foi médico.
No final do ano passado fiz algumas trocas de livros e escolhi este.
Na narrativa deste livro conhecemos o casal Frank, que recorre a uma barriga de aluguer para ter o segundo filho. Marsha não pode ter mais filhos. Logo no inÃcio, deparamo-nos com o excesso de preocupação de VÃtor Frank com a criança e só depois o leitor vai entender porquê.
Assim nasce VJ (VÃtor Junior Frank) que apresenta uma inteligência muito acima da média. À medida que vamos lendo, vamos tomando conhecimento de outros casais com problemas de fertilidade que recorrem a barrigas de alugar e têm filhos muito inteligentes.
VÃtor Frank tem uma empresa de fertilidade e é médico, vai ser ele o responsável pela inteligência fora do comum do filho. Não vou revelar muito mais, porque o factor surpresa é a chave do livro.
VJ quase vai arruinar carreira do pai.
Até onde pode ir o desejo da perfeição?
Adorei este livro, a narrativa envolve-nos obsessivamente, a cada capÃtulo lido acontecem mais revelações inesperadas. Além disso, o tema é muito pertinente.
Leiam. Este livro merecia um filme.
O único ponto negativo que aponto é a total ausência de revisão do texto. Estive para parar a leitura e só continuei, porque a narrativa é incrÃvel.
No final do ano passado fiz algumas trocas de livros e escolhi este.
Na narrativa deste livro conhecemos o casal Frank, que recorre a uma barriga de aluguer para ter o segundo filho. Marsha não pode ter mais filhos. Logo no inÃcio, deparamo-nos com o excesso de preocupação de VÃtor Frank com a criança e só depois o leitor vai entender porquê.
Assim nasce VJ (VÃtor Junior Frank) que apresenta uma inteligência muito acima da média. À medida que vamos lendo, vamos tomando conhecimento de outros casais com problemas de fertilidade que recorrem a barrigas de alugar e têm filhos muito inteligentes.
VÃtor Frank tem uma empresa de fertilidade e é médico, vai ser ele o responsável pela inteligência fora do comum do filho. Não vou revelar muito mais, porque o factor surpresa é a chave do livro.
VJ quase vai arruinar carreira do pai.
Até onde pode ir o desejo da perfeição?
Adorei este livro, a narrativa envolve-nos obsessivamente, a cada capÃtulo lido acontecem mais revelações inesperadas. Além disso, o tema é muito pertinente.
Leiam. Este livro merecia um filme.
O único ponto negativo que aponto é a total ausência de revisão do texto. Estive para parar a leitura e só continuei, porque a narrativa é incrÃvel.
October 3, 2021
4.5*
Such a terrifying story about why experimenting on humans isn’t such a good idea and about how far is too far.
The dialogue and the writing style weren’t always my favourite, but I was still very intrigued throughout the whole book.
I would’ve liked an actual ending, as opposed to an open ending, I don’t like guessing what may have happened.
Such a terrifying story about why experimenting on humans isn’t such a good idea and about how far is too far.
The dialogue and the writing style weren’t always my favourite, but I was still very intrigued throughout the whole book.
I would’ve liked an actual ending, as opposed to an open ending, I don’t like guessing what may have happened.
April 11, 2024
"Die Wissenschaft läuft Amok, wenn sie sich den Fesseln entwindet, die ihr die Moral anlegt."
An sich ein interessanter Plot und auch nicht schlecht geschrieben.. aber auch nicht sehr spannend und relativ oberflächliche Charaktere.. dank des Epilogs sind es 2 Sterne geworden, denn das war wirklich unnötig und etwas lächerlich, ansonsten wären es 3 Sterne gewesen..
An sich ein interessanter Plot und auch nicht schlecht geschrieben.. aber auch nicht sehr spannend und relativ oberflächliche Charaktere.. dank des Epilogs sind es 2 Sterne geworden, denn das war wirklich unnötig und etwas lächerlich, ansonsten wären es 3 Sterne gewesen..
August 15, 2021
Este libro es estupendo. No es pesado y se hace fácil y ligero de leer. Me encanta que el autor toque temas tan controvertidos como la modificación genética. Te mantiene en tensión hasta el final.
En mi opinión es un libro totalmente recomendable.
En mi opinión es un libro totalmente recomendable.
January 7, 2022
Está bien, pero me ha parecido demasiado subrealista y al final se quedan algunos cabos sueltos. Pienso que para entenderlo bien se necesita tener cierta base cientÃfica porque sino te pierdes en algunas explicaciones. A pesar de todo creo que es una lectura rápida y entretenida.
July 13, 2018
Quando a ciência ultrapassa os limites da ética moral e humana, o resultado pode ser devastador!
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