Helpful Score: 1
This book had been on my WL for quite awhile so I was eager when I finally got my hands on it. I will tell you my first impression was how tiny and short this book is. I finished it in 3 hours while sitting by the pool. It is also no at all what I expected. The whole book takes place while a University type committee is asking Anaximander questions, based on the history of how their nation was formed. with the questions, we get a glimpse into what led up to this dystopian society. I felt like this whole book was just a very long explanation of the society, and that the real story should have started after. We do get the historical story of the nations formation, but nothing definitive in the "present day" of the book. There are hints, but nothing really outright.Unfortunately I dont see a second book being written anytime soon, so we are left with a description, without the story.
Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
Anax wants to become a member of The Academy. In order to be admitted, she must endure a four-hour interview in front of a three member panel. Anax has been working with a tutor in order to prepare herself.
It is through this interview that the reader learns the history of the world after a devastating plague killed most of the people on the planet. Safe behind the Great Sea Fence, her people keep their island safe by shooting any plane or boat that comes within sight.
The society is based on rigid rules: men and women living separately, parentage being kept from children, and at one year of age children are tested to determine what class they will be placed in based on their genomic reading (Laborers, Soldiers, Technicians, or Philosophers).
History is not what it seems.
Anax learns more about her world during the interview than she did during all her days of preparation. She realizes The Academy isn't what it appears to be, but is it too late to change her current path?
GENESIS is a fast-paced story. It is interesting to read about the post-apocalyptic world Anax lives in. Bernard Beckett does a great job of building the story without revealing too much too soon. The ending will leave you stunned.
Anax wants to become a member of The Academy. In order to be admitted, she must endure a four-hour interview in front of a three member panel. Anax has been working with a tutor in order to prepare herself.
It is through this interview that the reader learns the history of the world after a devastating plague killed most of the people on the planet. Safe behind the Great Sea Fence, her people keep their island safe by shooting any plane or boat that comes within sight.
The society is based on rigid rules: men and women living separately, parentage being kept from children, and at one year of age children are tested to determine what class they will be placed in based on their genomic reading (Laborers, Soldiers, Technicians, or Philosophers).
History is not what it seems.
Anax learns more about her world during the interview than she did during all her days of preparation. She realizes The Academy isn't what it appears to be, but is it too late to change her current path?
GENESIS is a fast-paced story. It is interesting to read about the post-apocalyptic world Anax lives in. Bernard Beckett does a great job of building the story without revealing too much too soon. The ending will leave you stunned.
I had heard that this was a really interesting book and looked forward to reading it. It took a few pages to really get into it, but it ended up being a very interesting and engaging read. The ending totally threw me for a loop and made me want to go back and re-read it.
The whole book occurs as a young historian, Anax, takes a four hour examination in front of the Academy in hope that she will pass and be admitted to the Academy. Her four hour dissertation is on a prominent historical figure, Adam Forde. The book is literally a dialogue of what the Academy asks her and what she answers.
The above may sound a bit strange; I mean to write a book solely about one exam is a bit weird. When I started reading the book it took me a bit to get engaged in the story. As Anax delves deeper into the history of Adam Forde the story becomes more engaging and then you are on the edge of your set trying to figure out what happened and is going to happen.
Much of the dialogue delves into debate on what it means to be human versus AI. Adam Forde spends time in seclusion with an AI that is self-teaching. Many of the discussions between Adam and the AI are what Anax spends time debating and disclosing. Almost the whole of the book centers on what turns a society governed by fear can take, what it means to be human, and how to protect humanity from itself. Some of the discussions get a bit drawn out and some of the same points are made over and over again; but I found the majority of the discussion to be very interesting.
I can't say a ton more about the book without giving things away. Needless to say the ending was awesome; it was very unexpected and caught me by surprise. After you read the ending you will definitely have to rethink the whole book, and most likely will want to read through it again.
This book was written in a very creative way, delves into the philosophy of human versus AI (which for me is a topic that never gets old), was very engaging, and had an ending that you will either love or hate. It takes a bit to get into the story so be patient. The book is very short and is a quick read. I would recommend that everyone pick up this book; it gets you thinking and will surprise you in the end.
The whole book occurs as a young historian, Anax, takes a four hour examination in front of the Academy in hope that she will pass and be admitted to the Academy. Her four hour dissertation is on a prominent historical figure, Adam Forde. The book is literally a dialogue of what the Academy asks her and what she answers.
The above may sound a bit strange; I mean to write a book solely about one exam is a bit weird. When I started reading the book it took me a bit to get engaged in the story. As Anax delves deeper into the history of Adam Forde the story becomes more engaging and then you are on the edge of your set trying to figure out what happened and is going to happen.
Much of the dialogue delves into debate on what it means to be human versus AI. Adam Forde spends time in seclusion with an AI that is self-teaching. Many of the discussions between Adam and the AI are what Anax spends time debating and disclosing. Almost the whole of the book centers on what turns a society governed by fear can take, what it means to be human, and how to protect humanity from itself. Some of the discussions get a bit drawn out and some of the same points are made over and over again; but I found the majority of the discussion to be very interesting.
I can't say a ton more about the book without giving things away. Needless to say the ending was awesome; it was very unexpected and caught me by surprise. After you read the ending you will definitely have to rethink the whole book, and most likely will want to read through it again.
This book was written in a very creative way, delves into the philosophy of human versus AI (which for me is a topic that never gets old), was very engaging, and had an ending that you will either love or hate. It takes a bit to get into the story so be patient. The book is very short and is a quick read. I would recommend that everyone pick up this book; it gets you thinking and will surprise you in the end.
Pros: Very original idea, well executed and nice balance of shifting POVs between "present" (a dystopian future) and their past, our near future. Great twist ending, very O'Henry/Twilight Zone.
Cons: Very short -- really more of a novella than a novel. Long on dialogue, short on action. You have to think about what you're reading, so it's not pure fun like "Lucifer's Hammer", but as mentioned by other reviewers, the book is worth the work you will put into it.
Cons: Very short -- really more of a novella than a novel. Long on dialogue, short on action. You have to think about what you're reading, so it's not pure fun like "Lucifer's Hammer", but as mentioned by other reviewers, the book is worth the work you will put into it.
In Plato's Republic, an island nation in the future where no one from the outside is allowed in, Anaximander begins her four-hour-long examination for entrance into The Academy. She has researched the life of Adam Forde, a well-known soldier who made history when he rescued an outsider girl from the sea and changed the course of the Republic forever.
As Anax tells the Examiners what she knows about Adam's life and the subsequent events that followed, she begins to question the existence of humanity, the purpose of the Republic, and the safety of her own future, ultimately making a discovery that turns her life--and the readers--upside down for a shocking conclusion.
How can I describe GENESIS in a way that will do it justice? It's a chilling piece of dystopian literature, a psychological thriller that terrifies even though it takes place entirely in a four-hour-long conversation. It's not light reading, for sure, and will force you to think long and hard about it days after you've finished the book.
On that note, though, I think that all the time you'll have to put into thinking about this book and the issues it raises is completely worth it. There are long conversations that delve into questions of the worth of humanity and the dangers--and advantages--of artificial intelligence. The ending in particular was so unexpected, so original and yet so appropriate that once you've read it you can think of no other way to end the book. I would read this book again and again just to understand the circumstances that led up to the fascinating ending, an ending that will stay with you forever.
All in all, don't miss GENESIS. It's not a typical young adult read, that's for sure, and will be difficult for many people to comprehend, but if you put the effort into it, trust me, it will be very worth it.
As Anax tells the Examiners what she knows about Adam's life and the subsequent events that followed, she begins to question the existence of humanity, the purpose of the Republic, and the safety of her own future, ultimately making a discovery that turns her life--and the readers--upside down for a shocking conclusion.
How can I describe GENESIS in a way that will do it justice? It's a chilling piece of dystopian literature, a psychological thriller that terrifies even though it takes place entirely in a four-hour-long conversation. It's not light reading, for sure, and will force you to think long and hard about it days after you've finished the book.
On that note, though, I think that all the time you'll have to put into thinking about this book and the issues it raises is completely worth it. There are long conversations that delve into questions of the worth of humanity and the dangers--and advantages--of artificial intelligence. The ending in particular was so unexpected, so original and yet so appropriate that once you've read it you can think of no other way to end the book. I would read this book again and again just to understand the circumstances that led up to the fascinating ending, an ending that will stay with you forever.
All in all, don't miss GENESIS. It's not a typical young adult read, that's for sure, and will be difficult for many people to comprehend, but if you put the effort into it, trust me, it will be very worth it.
The Academy, an elite bastion for the best thinkers in the Republic. Anaximander has spent the last few years preparing to enter with the help of her tutor, Pericles. The only thing that stands in her way is the examination, a grueling interview on her favorite historical topic, Adam Forde, the hero of their society. Anaximander is about to learn far more about her precious society and herself, from a dead hero, then she could ever learn from anything else.
Read my personal thoughts at:
http://bourg.info/?p=250
Read my personal thoughts at:
http://bourg.info/?p=250
Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
Anax wants to become a member of The Academy. In order to be admitted, she must endure a four-hour interview in front of a three member panel. Anax has been working with a tutor in order to prepare herself.
It is through this interview that the reader learns the history of the world after a devastating plague killed most of the people on the planet. Safe behind the Great Sea Fence, her people keep their island safe by shooting any plane or boat that comes within sight.
The society is based on rigid rules: men and women living separately, parentage being kept from children, and at one year of age children are tested to determine what class they will be placed in based on their genomic reading (Laborers, Soldiers, Technicians, or Philosophers).
History is not what it seems.
Anax learns more about her world during the interview than she did during all her days of preparation. She realizes The Academy isn't what it appears to be, but is it too late to change her current path?
GENESIS is a fast-paced story. It is interesting to read about the post-apocalyptic world Anax lives in. Bernard Beckett does a great job of building the story without revealing too much too soon. The ending will leave you stunned.
Anax wants to become a member of The Academy. In order to be admitted, she must endure a four-hour interview in front of a three member panel. Anax has been working with a tutor in order to prepare herself.
It is through this interview that the reader learns the history of the world after a devastating plague killed most of the people on the planet. Safe behind the Great Sea Fence, her people keep their island safe by shooting any plane or boat that comes within sight.
The society is based on rigid rules: men and women living separately, parentage being kept from children, and at one year of age children are tested to determine what class they will be placed in based on their genomic reading (Laborers, Soldiers, Technicians, or Philosophers).
History is not what it seems.
Anax learns more about her world during the interview than she did during all her days of preparation. She realizes The Academy isn't what it appears to be, but is it too late to change her current path?
GENESIS is a fast-paced story. It is interesting to read about the post-apocalyptic world Anax lives in. Bernard Beckett does a great job of building the story without revealing too much too soon. The ending will leave you stunned.
