Genetopia

Some readers may find that Brooke has a tendency to overtly state what he is trying to convey in the story. Rather than layer the theme in subtlety, Brooke has instead opted to simply have his characters think, say, or feel exactly what he is trying to teach. The story might seem a little preachy to some readers, spending more time on trying to teach the reader something about change than to tell a story. But this is not a thinly veiled social commentary. It is a good story, simple, and written in tightly packed scenes that come from Brooke’s skill as a short story writer. Each scene is powerful in its own right, and each chapter tells a mini-story, and the whole makes an enjoyable novel. Like most short story writers, Brooke is show more writing with economy, not using many words to relate the narrative, but rather striking right to the heart of the issue.

Genetopia is well-written, asks good questions, and provides an unusual answer. The resolution is heartwarming and sad all at once, and wraps up the story in an unexpected way. Like Heinlein and other science fiction authors, Brooke is asking questions about the nature of humanity and the role science plays in defining that humanity in the future. In Brooke’s vision, science has changed us into something different, not better, nor worse, only different. Flint and Amberline are compelling characters, and their journeys take quite a few unexpected twists. Brooke has written a tight, interesting, and unusual novel in Genetopia that I recommend as a good read for those who want to explore the nature of humanity and for those readers interested in the lost civilizations style science fiction.

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