The language in this book is incredible, and the characters, despite the somewhat bizarre setting, are ones you long for weeks after you finish the novel. It reminds me of The Horse's Mouth, by Joyce Cary, since it is set in London, and has something of the clamour and effervescence of the 'lower social orders' about it as a backdrop, as well as a fundamental hope and humanity, a forgiving indulgence on the part of the narrator towards mankind's imperfections of personality that is all the more fascinating for being set in an essentially trans-human world.

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It is a visionary tale of a future world where life is short, set in the London theatrical community where the central character has managed to escape the absorption into the collective unconsciousness undergone by all her contemporaries. I especially liked its rootedness in the future geography of London, and the exploration of art, creativity and personality. I wasn't quite so sure about the characterisation or plot. ( )

Great concepts. Interesting characters, though there are too many that you don't get to know. The world is also interesting and gives you a lot to think about. My main criticism is that it goes on for too long. Also the jumping around with the time sequence didn't add much. ( )

A fantastic and very human adventure. The natural, biological feel really stands out against the usual cold technology of some SF. ( )

The Child Garden is set in a post climate change London where temperatures have risen to tropical levels. A global mind called The Consensus now runs the world as a “late period socialist” paradise. Children’s’ minds are Read at age 10 so that they can join The Consensus.

Cancer has been eradicated. However, the discovery that cancer served a useful purpose in regenerating human bodies is an unfortunate side effect. Without cancer cells, the human lifespan has shrunk to about 35 years.

Viruses make “people cheerful and helpful and honest.” Viruses also plant knowledge in people’s brains from birth. Viruses control sexual orientation, and homosexuality is reduced to “Bad Grammar.” Peoples’ skins are purple; they can photosynthesize their own food. This is an essential method for feeding the 23 million people inhabiting London.

The book follows the life of Milena, a woman who was resistant to the viruses as a child, and has never been Read. Milena falls in love with a genetically engineered woman called Rolfa. Rolfa is a musical genius and a misfit even among her own people.

While I found The Child Garden a bit long, I thought it more than worth the effort. The premise that something that we call bad (cancer) can actually serve a useful purpose hooked me from the start. The alternative world that Ryman creates, with photosynthesizing humans and an educational system made redundant by viruses, is fascinating. ( )