Helpful Score: 2
I thought this was a very good apocalyptic novel with a large helping of science thrown in. This novel was originally published in 1985 and in some ways it was very prophetic although somewhat dated. It's the story of a genetic experiment gone wrong resulting in the end of the world as we know it. The book was sometimes quite eerie to me, especially the scenes taking place in an empty New York City and a devastated World Trade Center with images very reminiscent of 9/11 including the collapse of one of the towers! The Soviet Union also plays a role in the story with a threat of nuclear attack and world domination. Overall, Bears narrative is very descriptive and suspenseful. He creates some really stunning images of the change in the world by the sentient "noocytes" or intellectual microbes created by a maverick cellular biologist. Recommend this one.
IF YOU LIKE SCARY BOOKS THIS ONE IS THE BEST, AND IT SEEMS MORE AND MORE PROBABLE EVERY DAY
Book Description
In the tradition of the greatest cyberpunk novels, Blood Music explores the imminent destruction of mankind and the fear of mass destruction by technological advancements. Blood Music follows present-day events in which the fears concerning the nuclear annihilation of the world subsided after the Cold War and the fear of chemical warfare spilled over into the empty void of nuclear fear. An amazing breakthrough in genetic engineering made by Vergil Ulam is considered too dangerous for further research, but rather than destroy his work, he injects himself with his creation and walks out of his lab, unaware of just quite how his actions will change the world. Author Greg Bears treatment of the traditional tale of scientific hubris is both suspenseful and a compelling portrait of a new intelligence emerging amongst us, irrevocably changing our world.
In the tradition of the greatest cyberpunk novels, Blood Music explores the imminent destruction of mankind and the fear of mass destruction by technological advancements. Blood Music follows present-day events in which the fears concerning the nuclear annihilation of the world subsided after the Cold War and the fear of chemical warfare spilled over into the empty void of nuclear fear. An amazing breakthrough in genetic engineering made by Vergil Ulam is considered too dangerous for further research, but rather than destroy his work, he injects himself with his creation and walks out of his lab, unaware of just quite how his actions will change the world. Author Greg Bears treatment of the traditional tale of scientific hubris is both suspenseful and a compelling portrait of a new intelligence emerging amongst us, irrevocably changing our world.
A fascinating read. Bear makes truly fantastic concepts seem real and believeable.
