MUTATION

Rating:
Summary: Frankenstein (Jr.) Strikes Again
Review: Although a little heavy handed with allusions to Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein", Robin Cook's "Mutation" is a good enough read. The plot revolves around genetic manipulation of the unborn: Victor (named just like in the Shelley work) genetically enhances five embryos, one of which becomes his second son (a genius), VJ (for Victor Jr.). By VJ's tenth birthday, several people close to him have mysteriously died from a rare form of liver cancer, and Marsha, his mother, begins to suspect that all is not right. By the time she convinces Victor that their son has, to put it mildly, a personality disorder, VJ has begun to conduct his own experiments in genetic research. Cook, as always, includes great biological plot points, and at the least, the book is educational and raises several issues that are as relevant now as when the book was first published several years ago. However, the element of surprise just isn't there, and an attentive reader can spot what's coming a mile away. The end implies that the story isn't over...but isn't as ambiguous as Shelley's "Frankenstein". Or as profound...

Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent Novel of Robin Cook's
Review: I really enjoyed this book, and read the whole thing in one day. It's the story of a scientist who genetically engineers his own son to have a far superior intelligence, and the horrific complications that arrive from it. One of the most enjoyable facets of the book are that the characters are all too human, just as people in the ordinary world, and it shows the impact of their human foibles on this story. This is the sixth of his novels that I've read, and he's one of my favorite authors.

Rating:
Summary: ECHOES OF FRANKENSTEIN
Review: MUTATION is what Cook does best----horror in the medical world, perpetrated by a doctor who "was only looking to advance mankind". Dr. Victor Frank (cute reference to Shelley's doc) has developed a process in which he can enhance the genius of embryos, and even does this with a surrogate mother in coming up with his own son, VJ (Victor Jr.). However, within five years, Frank's other son, David, dies mysteriously from a rare form of cancer, as does Janice Fay, David's governess. In the present day, VJ acts like a little Hitler and it's not long before his Mom suspects something pretty evil going on. The plot moves along at a steady if not frenetic pace and by the climax, the ending is obvious. Is there a sequel? I have to check.
Better than many of Cook's other novels of this time, including the abominable CHROMOSOME 6.

Rating:
Summary: Evil or just plain genius?
Review: When I started to read this book, Mutation, I found that there was many new scientific research done to write it. First, I thought the book drug on in a few places. I thought it wasn't one of his best books nor was it his worst.
Throughout the book I was impressed at how well the story was written, especially the research involved in genetics and biotechnology. When Dr. Victor Frank created the NGF gene, I was shocked at how easily someone can change genes around. When Dr. Frank put this gene is his unborn child, I thought that was cruel.
When the Franks took their son home (VJ), Mrs. Frank noticed some differences in the personalities of VJ and David. Whenever David came down with a rare cancer along with the nanny soon after VJ was three. I thought this was strange since David and the nanny had said about how VJ was evil and wanted to kill both of them.
Eventually Dr. Frank showed VJ the lab where he worked. I thought this was wierd because ever since VJ loved the lab. From there on out, VJ practically spent all his free time there because he was a child prodigy.
After some speculating with VJ's drop in intelligence and other weird emotions, Mrs. Frank finally decided there was something wrong with VJ that she didn't know about. She finally asked her husband what he did whenever he did the invetro-fertilization, he didn't really want to tell her knowing she'd get upset.For some odd reason, I would want to know why someone would want their kid to be a genius with the help of some gene from another animal.
When two of Dr. Frank's experiments died of swelling of the brain, he decided someone knew about his NGF experiment. He began to think someone was out to kill VJ next since he was part of his experiment. Dr. Frank decided to do a neuro workup to see if someone introduced cephalorclor to VJ because that was what caused the two kids's brains to swell and eventually kill them.
Over a period of time, VJ began to smuggle equipment to a different place on the grounds of Chimera where Victor worked. He wanted to start his own lab because he was fascinated by his father's work. VJ even solved one problem Victor had been trying to find an answer for.
Soon, Victor began to wonder where VJ went to while they were at Chimera. He began to follow JV one day and discovered his lab. VJ wasn't happy at first, but he did show Victor almost everything in the lab. Victor was impressed.
VJ told his dad he would get the credit for his latest success of being able to implant an embryo in the uterus a certain way to guarantee a successful pregnancy. Victor was impressed. Honestly, how could a kid be that smart at age 10?
Near the end of the book, VJ turns on his parents. I'm not about to tell exactly what he did because that would ruin the ending. It's pretty interesting at how smart VJ really was. I am going to say VJ does end up getting killed but those of you who read Mutation can figure out how he died.
On a whole, I thought this book was fairly good. I didn't think it was Robin Cook's best or worst book. I was impressed with his research in the biotechnology and genetics. Maybe some day some of the things Victor was working on will become part of everday life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in medicine, science, mystery, genetics, and biotechnology.