Book Review: Darwin's Children

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Darwin's Children     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Greg Bear
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction
Del Rey, Apr 2003, $24.95, 400 pp.

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

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner