Genesis

By: Bernard Beckett

Narrated by: Becky Wright

Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Anax thinks she knows her history. She'd better. She's sat facing three Examiners and her gruelling four-hour examination has just begun.

After the Great War in 2077, her island Republic emerged from a ruined world. Its citizens were safe - but never free. They lived in complete isolation from the outside. Until one man rescued a girl from the sea, and shook the very foundations on which the Republic was built. It was a time where ancient philosophical questions had collided dramatically with the march of technology, and where just what it means to be human was up for debate.

Anax is sure she has the answers. But she is about to discover that for all her learning, what she's been taught is not the whole story....

©2007 Bernard Beckett (P)2009 Quercus

Critic reviews

"(A)... daring formal experiment... has a palate-cleansing purity unusual in most young adult fiction ...Beckett has written a very different young adult novel � assured, cool, almost cold � that will make smart teenagers feel very respected."(The Guardian)
"A riveting story... we are immediately intrigued by Anax, her interest in history and motives for wanting to join the Academy... By the end, you will be completely hooked."(sfcrowsnest.co.uk)
"The rigorous narrative and crushing final twist bring a welcome freshness to a familiar setup."(Publishers' Weekly)
"The climax of the novel is not in the place you think, and the event you thought ends the story is really just the beginning... Beckett is every fiction fan�s ideal philosopher, the type of writer who entertains as much as he questions... Genesis is a must read."(tor.com)

Right Up There

A great book for fans of artificial intelligence and near future worlds. Well written, and also an excellent narration

Both intriguing and tedious, with a big finish!

The story of Anax and her examination started off promising and the tension was palpable. The plot was interesting if not thrilling, but I found myself losing interest during the second hour. During the third hour, when one would think the plot would develop and heighten one's interest, I almost gave up after enduring dreary, if earnest, philosophical ranting delivered in a monotonous drone; I did, in fact, skip over some sections. The stunning ending was what saved me from feeling that I had wasted my time and caused me to reflect that perhaps there was a good reason for the ranting!

OUTSTANDING!!

What made the experience of listening to Genesis the most enjoyable?

The narration was, in my opinion, spot on! a wonderful performance! Very clever use of science fiction to explore sophsticated philosophical concepts. Had me smiling as every new twist was cleverly revealed. Really enjoyable.

What other book might you compare Genesis to and why?

I loved this as much as Brave New World and the philosophical themes, in a way, hark back to Huxley or Orwell (although I hesitate to put many Authors in that league).
Although, it could just as similarly be likeded to Planet of the Apes!
In any case Beckett has really intruiged me with his notion of what life really is, or isn't.