Darwin's Children

Rating:
Summary: Good hard sf
Review: A good hard SF is a rare thing these days, when the bookstores ale loaded with tons of fodder fantasy crap, and Greg Bear sure knows how to write it. I wouldn't go as far as to say he is "a Arthur Clarke's biggest rival so far" as one of the reviews in The Times suggests (one of the main reasons it that in order to earn more today's writers usually produce far more words then necessary which of course degrade their work), but for fans of Clarke, Asimov and other hard SF masters he definitely is a sound alternative.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent near-future thriller
Review: Ah, the wonders of on-line communication! This is my third attempt to write a review of this novel. The first was submitted, acknowledged, but lost, the second disappeared when I attempted to edit it before submission. So this will be shorter than the other two I wrote, as it's starting to get old now. However, I did want to highly recommend both Darwin's Children, and its prequel, Darwin's Radio.
Both novels make use of an iconoclastic theory of evolution in which elements of the "junk DNA" found in humans as well as other creatures responds to stresses in the environment by bringing about changes in the genomes of the species'off-spring. When these human up-grades are born in increasing numbers, society reacts with predicable fear and panic. The children are removed from their parents, who are oftentimes not told where they are, or what's happened to them, and forced to live in concentration-camp type "schools", where they grow to adolescence in a society which seems to resent their existence. At first, there are legitimate fears that these children may harbor dangerous viral diseases; later the policy is continued for reasons of political expediency.
Both novels follow the main protagonists Kaye and Mitch, who, with their daughter Stella, one of the Homo Sapiens Novus, struggle to keep their family together, and to bring about a more humane societal response to the new humans in their midst.
The books, which should be read one story, are informative, suspenseful, and very moving. In my opinion, the story as a whole is Bear's best.

Rating:
Summary: Growing Up Shevite
Review: Darwin's Children is the second novel in the Darwin series, following Darwin's Radio. In the previous novel, the CDC discovered a viral disease that caused miscarriages followed by another pregnancy without the introduction of any male sperm. Called Herod's flu by the CDC, researchers soon discovered that it originated as an HERV (Human Endogenous Retrovirus); that is, the virus was produced by each male's own cells and then passed to their mates. Renamed SHEVA (Scattered Human Endogenous Viral Activation) and soon vulgarized to "shiver", this disease also caused a few women who had xenotransplants to continually produce a variety of deadly viruses. The deaths from these cases triggered an intense fear reaction among certain xenophobic segments of society, which lead to the formation of EMAC (Emergency Action) to handle the situation.

Kaye Lang had played a primary role in the identification of the virus and the discovery of the shedding mechanism. Mitch Rafelson had made the archaeological discovery that SHEVA had been active in ancient times, producing Homo sapiens sapiens from Homo sapiens neandertalis. Their work brought them together and resulted in Kaye becoming pregnant with Stella, a SHEVA child. When public reaction became hostile to these children, Mark, Kaye and Stella went underground like many other families with SHEVA children. Others, however, turned over their SHEVA children to the care of EMAC, who put them in special "schools". One such "school" was attacked and the children slaughtered by nearby residents, so the other schools were fortified to protect the children.

Mark Augustine was the former director of EMAC, but has been re-assigned after the slaughter and is now the director of all federally operated SHEVA "schools". The incidence has haunted his conscience, for he was one of the politicians that had fanned the flames of fear and so has to share the blame for the deaths.

Christopher Dicken is still a virus hunter for the CDC, but now he walks with a limp and has only has one eye due to a bomb planted in the White House by a fanatic. He regularly visits Mrs. Carla Rhine, whose body produces mutated, and often deadly, viruses as the result of an interaction of SHEVA with her pig kidney transplant, and who is now held in maximum isolation. Dicken is ordered by HHS to meet with his former boss, Mark Augustine, to consult on a new virus which is killing SHEVA children.

Normally, SHEVA children are very healthy and are never infected by normal childhood illnesses; consequently, some state-controlled SHEVA "schools" have had most of their medical supplies transferred to other agencies. Now the children are becoming sick and some have died in various "schools" across the country. At the Joseph Goldberger School in Ohio, many of the staff have fled, the National Guard has encircled the grounds and are keeping the public out, hundreds of children are dead, and the medical supplies are scant. Augustine and Dicken go to the school and try to organize the remaining staff and students to provide essential support. Augustine has arranged for more medical supplies from federal sources, but the state is trying to block delivery. The school does have a fully equipped virological research lab, so Dicken starts taking samples and running tests.

In the meantime, Stella has run away from home. She is convinced that her parents don't understand her, but that other SHEVA children will. Unfortunately, she encounters a bounty hunter, who locks her up with several other SHEVA children, one of whom is sick and later dies. Kaye and Mitch track down the bounty hunter and call the state troopers with a kidnapping charge. The troopers arrive just before the EMAC team that has come to retrieve the children. Mitch and Kaye are allowed to take Stella home with them, but the other children are taken by EMAC.

Since Stella has caused them to blow their cover, the family flees yet again. However, Stella becomes sick on the journey and they have to call a doctor to treat her. When the doctor examines Stella, he forgets to deactivate his automatic upload to the medical authorities, EMAC discovers their whereabouts, and the family has to escape once more.

This novel continues the story of a new species of humanity that is being persecuted by a very frightened population. Since the SHEVA children have readily discernible differences from Homo sapiens sapiens, they become the victims of casual discrimination and abuse. Moreover, there are also groups trying to implement a "final solution".

Nonetheless, the SHEVA children do have some friends, both underground and public. The story describes several efforts to support and protect the children. On the other hand, the hostile groups have begun to implement measures that are abhorrent to most citizens and Augustine, in particular, is waiting to bring these practices to public attention.

This novel also adds a theological component. Kaye begins to have periodic epiphanies and MRI tests indicate that a portion of her brain related to suckling in infants has been activated. Kaye never receives verbal input from the Caller, but does receive strong emotional input. Moreover, the Caller never influences Kaye's decisions, but is always supportive. Frankly, I get the impression that the Caller is a group mind of galactic or larger scope and that it promotes maximum diversity through free will. Trust the author to insert a few speculations about the endpoint of evolution.

Highly recommended for Bear fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of medical and anthropological research in a SF setting.

Rating:
Summary: Bear continues to evolve
Review: Darwin's Children is the sequel to the Nebula winner and Hugo nominee Darwin's Radio, and like its predecessor, it is a dense, demanding, disturbing, fascinating novel. It's not an easy read, however: it's crammed with acronyms and scientific jargon, and the SHEVA children, with their enhanced senses, often speak in their own language. A scientific glossary, a short biological primer, and a non-fiction reading list are hidden at the back of the book (and I mean that; I didn't discover them until after I'd finished reading the story), but you may find that referring to these punctuates your equilibrium.

Bear also shifts viewpoint characters so frequently that it's sometimes difficult to keep track, especially if you haven't read Darwin's Radio. If you're expecting X-men, you may be disappointed; there is some violence, but little in the way of pyrotechnic action. The tone is more reminiscent of The Hot Zone, gene-spliced with political thriller.

Darwin's Children doesn't pull its punches when it comes to politics: a horrible disease is compared to House Republicans and vice versa, and the only out-and-out villains who appear in the book are a senator and a television commentator. Bear is also scathing in his depiction of religious fanatics, bureaucrats, talk radio, and the capacity of Americans en masse (though not usually as individuals) to be intolerant, gullible, complacent or savage to the point of attempting genocide. His scientists are more sympathetic, though never flawless - even Augustine, skilled as he is at the underhanded political games that help him gain power, believes that what he is doing is necessary for the greater good. All the major characters are well realised, and all change slowly but believably: some even evolve.

Darwin's Children is demanding, but it's also gripping, sometimes frightening, often thought-provoking, and well worth the effort of reading.

Rating:
Summary: Killer Sequal
Review: Darwin's Radio was great, and Darwin's Children is just as good. It is somewhat different than the first, focasing more on the characters, and less on the world, science, etc. Still very, very good. Gets you really interested in the characters. Very sad when I finished it, not because of the ending, but because I wanted to keep reading!!

Rating:
Summary: What a Shame Mr. Bear
Review: Dear Mr. Bear:

I own almost all of your books. I have read and enjoyed them very much. Right up until "Darwin's Children", that is. I quote, "The Republicans are the country's pit bull, Mitch. Barking in the night, all night, every night, right or wrong, and savaging their enemies without mercy."

Really? Have you been paying ANY attention this year at all? Michael Moore, Mr. Soros, Whoopie Goldberg and the rest of the so-called tolerant (what an oxymoron THAT is when applied to these people), peace loving liberal Democrats...never in my not very short life have I seen such bald, naked hatred as these people, and their friends, have demonstrated. They have a lock on mean-spirited nastiness. Self-serving, narcissistic opportunists all.

I am a Republican, and I know many other Republicans, and none of us resemble anything like the picture you paint. You, Sir, are part of the vicious, hate mongering, country dividing, maniacal left wing that has torn this country apart ever since Al Gore legitimately lost the 2000 election but did not have the balls, or apparently the brains, to admit it. At least John Kerry had the good sense, and decency, to do the right thing. I was pleasantly surprised at his actions, but I can admit it.

Now, you continue your vitriolic behavior by incorporating your hatred into your stories. I have never read a novel where the author tired to paint the Democratic, as a whole, evil (even though I might think there are a few who would qualify for that title -- I am intelligent enough to know that there are evil people in both parties). These authors have wisely left their political opinions at home where they belong.

Unfortunately, what seemed like promising fiction turns out to be nothing more than another hate filled vehicle, written by a blind to reality, intellectual elitist who thinks he knows what is best for everyone else and is just certain we all want to hear it.

You should be ashamed of yourself. But my experience with people like you is that you are incapable of that emotion.

Rather than pass this book on to someone else, someone not smart enough to know they are being brainwashed, I will just take it to the dump on Saturday, where it will join the rest of the garbage.


Rating:
Summary: engaging science fiction
Review: Eleven years ago the scattered human endogenous viral activation (SHEVA) retrovirus caused mutations leading to the birth of a different human species (see DARWIN'S RADIO). Instead of welcoming the genetically enhanced humans, the old generation, many of which are the parents of these kids, fears and detests their offspring. Much of the phobia comes from the unknown, but also from the propaganda beat that these new humans will ravage the old race. The government established special laws and agencies to keep these children uneducated and targeted for death for almost anything.

There remain small cells of non-enhanced humans who want to do the right thing with the preadolescents that are growing up in isolation. Amongst this minority, scientists Kaye Lang and Mitch Rafelson, live in exile under the watchful eye of Big Brother yet still quietly raise their daughter, Stella, a SHEVA child, who seeks her own kind. If EMAC finds her, the camps or death will occur and the current suburban Virginia exile of Kaye and Mitch will seem mainstream compared with what the Feds would do to them.

Readers will better enjoy this seemingly stand-alone novel if they first peruse DARWIN'S RADIO, where the evolution began. The theme of DARWIN'S CHILDREN and the previous book is frightening especially with the counterinsurgency and negative reaction as if the children were devils. Though much of the latter half of the plot depends on luck and coincidence, fans of deep tales with strong scientific roots and powerful messages will relish this novel of the old humans trying to keep the new enhanced species from dominating the future.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Good, but the same problems as the first novel
Review: First off, don't even consider reading this novel before reading its predecessor "Darwin's Radio"; there is simply too much plot and science to attempt to pick up without the benefit of reading the first novel. Secondly, while there is some serious science discussed in both books, the reader shouldn't feel that a lack of formal biology education will prevent them from understanding and enjoying these books (although it certainly won't hurt). Bear does an excellent job of working the necessary science into the flow of the narrative, and he even provides a fairly comprehensive glossary at the end of the book.

That said, I found 'Darwin's Children" to be every bit as engaging and every bit as frustrating as "Darwin's Radio". The premise, that a new branch of human evolution is beginning, is an intriguing one, and the idea of following this new species as it grows to maturity has the potential to be fascinating. And to a degree, it is; unfortunately, Bear all to frequently takes the reader down literary dead-ends, and makes temporal jumps just when the story is getting interesting.

First the good, though, and there is plenty. To begin, Bear's characters are a step above the first novel. That's not to say that the were lacking previously, but the author has taken this opportunity to instill them with a deep pathos that is truly memorable. The characters, operating under horribly strenuous circumstances represent the full range of human emotion. Moreover, their philosophies are well defined and realistic; they absolutely fit the situation at hand, and nicely mirror historical precedent. Secondly, Bear has created a dystopian near future that is all too believable. He draws nicely on the subtle but pervasive daily fear of the post 9/11 world to create a U.S. that is both terrifyingly different, and yet disturbingly familiar. While he often where's his politics on his sleeve, Bear does draw nicely on the concern for a potential erosion of our civil liberties in the years to come. Finally, as I alluded to earlier, Bear does a superb job of incorporating genuinely cutting edge science without bogging down the narrative. In fact, the scientific dialogue almost becomes a character unto itself, as the reader ponders what revelation will be next.

Unfortunately, all of these elements are let down by rather discordant storytelling. In a book just under four hundred pages long, Bear has attempted to cover three different time periods separated by six years. Frankly, this is just too much to attempt in a relatively short novel. In any given section the pacing and plot lines are excellent, but just when the reader is immersed in the story, it jumps rather jarringly ahead by a few years. Moreover, critical plot developments are presumed to have taken place in the intervening periods, which is extraordinarily frustrating when one considers how successful Bear is at writing sympathetic characters. Secondly, there are more than a few blind alleys that left me puzzled. On more than one occasion Bear seems about to reveal a major plot point, only to back away. Perhaps other readers will deduce Bear's thinking, but in spite of rereading several sections I haven't been able to ascertain where he was headed. Finally, there is an odd supernatural/spiritual/religious plot line around one of the main characters. In and of itself this isn't a bad thing, but it seems oddly out of place with the rest of the story and doesn't really add anything to the novel.

Ultimately "Darwin's Children" isn't a bad novel, but it could have been much more. With it's well drawn characters, fascinating plot and superb settings it could have been a great novel. Unfortunately, Bear bit off more than he could chew in the allotted space. The end result is a novel that is often fascinating, frequently gripping but in the end, to broken up to be completely successful. I enjoyed reading it, but I would recommend waiting for the paperback or picking it up at the library rather than investing in the hardcover edition.

Rating:
Summary: More human than DARWIN'S RADIO
Review: First, I do urge you to read DARWIN'S RADIO first, although I feel this is the better novel of the two. However, it is necessary to know the background of the earlier book to thoroughly enjoy the second.

One difficulty I did have with both books is the multitude of characters. So many are introduced and so few really have any importance to the story. This however, is a minor flaw.

While there is a lot of biological background explored in this book, it's easier to take and intrudes less into the plot than it did in the first. More emphasis is given to the human characters, especially the daughter who naturally is a focal point of interest.

The mother becomes more fleshed out also. Her "epiphany" adds interest. The first book stressed her atheism, and therefore, her experience is very interesting, and does have its effect on the character and, in turn, her effect on the plotline. The author deals with this subject in an objective manner so that the reader can accept it as something that does happen to some people or reject it as overactive imagination.

All in all, the two books together comprise one of the better science fiction works.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant but goes where...?
Review: Following on from Darwin's Radio, where a virus creates possibly the next step in evolution of the human race, Darwin's Children takes off with the children beginning to grow and America's biggoted reaction to them. From the point of view that this book seems to be mirroring America's increasingly inward focus on life, I wonder how much of it was actually a comment on society by Greg Bear?! Especially as he keeps this book so America-centric, its only in the faintest hints that we learn the rest of the world doesn't have these problems with the new children - so why all this desperate work in America to find a cure for the virus? America could have just sat back and watched the rest of the world assimilate the virus and seen what happened to total integration of the children anyway???

Unlike many of the previous reviews given, I wasn't so satisfied with this book. Darwin's Radio was a strong book with Bear putting forward the concept that mankind evolves in leaps and bounds rather than gradually, a not impossibly theory. However, after one incredibly suspenseful book, Bear gave his new evolved humans what I would deem to be regressive evolutionary characteristics - or at least, ones which I wouldn't think we needed to survive in today's world!

So, given his new humans have some strange new talents which aren't necessarily essential to survival on this planet, Bear is left to pick up the pieces and focus instead on how homo sapien Americanus accepts (or not) the new race. This book is more character driven which in part I would say would have to be because there was no where else to go. However, there were a lot of characters, with parts which drifted into loose threads which weren't tied up, but their meaning was so vague its more an itching annoyance than leaving crumbs for a third book. Bit like a movie sequel with strong charaters from the first movie appearing as cameo's in the followup.

And finally, I understand what Bear was getting at with his little plot line with Mitch going back to archeology, but it would be VERY hard for archeologists to piece together Bear's new humans from bones because apart from being taller (and gawd knows, with improved nutrition, even the smaller Asian races of today are producing basketball players over 7ft tall, and thats not deemed evolution...), they essentially have soft tissue adaptations instead. Now THAT would have been a nice area for Bear to explore as I suspect that is seriously under thought about in the realm of archeology!

In summary, the book is a good read, at least initially, as you don't know where Bear is going. But in the end, its so cliched and so predictable, you wonder where the energy went.