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. Books > Reviews

 

Darwin's Radio


by Greg Bear
Speculative Fiction That Makes You Think


Darwin’s Radio is easily the most interesting science fiction book I’ve read in a long time. The characters are well drawn and the ideas are first rate. This type of book really makes you think about how society could tear itself apart if a long term disease threat came upon us -- particularly if the events announcing the apocalypse occur in slow motion instead of the whiplash speed of a nuclear flash.

--- Minor Spoilers ---

The idea of an evolutionary computer that stores up possible genetic advantage traits and then springs them on the host species was fairly mind bending. The further plot twist that such an event could have happened in the past was even more thought provoking.

That’s not to say Darwin’s Radio doesn’t have flaws. The author telegraphs most revelations far too early. The reader then has to slog through numerous pages to get to the denouement. The clumsy foreshadowing makes the novel seem a third longer than it needs to be. In the last section of the novel, it feels as if you’re following Kaye’s 12 month pregnancy in real-time.

The book should have hidden the surprises better or been trimmed substantially. Other than that complaint (something skimming ahead might have solved for me), Darwin’s Radio is another excellent Bear novel.

I'm looking forward to reading Darwin's Children, the sequel.