Book Review: White Devils

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

White Devils     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Paul J. McAuley
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction   Mystery   Thriller
Tor, Feb 2004, $25.95, 448 pp.

The genetic engineering experiments have desolated Africa as outsider research biologists have used the continent as a giant laboratory. Not caring about the consequences to the African people, the experimenters created dangerous extinct animals like the saber-toothed tiger and various other outputs ranging from the benign corporate logo butterflies to the pandemic diseases. Especially brutal has become the no man’s land Dead Zone, where trees have melted into wooden pools.

The environmental group that rules over areas like the Congo, the Obligate, sends former mercenary Nick Hyde to lead an investigation into a recent massacre. Nick and his team find ripped asunder corpses with remains of brains that appear devoured. Appalled by the gruesome sight, Nick and his squad come under attack by lightning quick ferocious apelike creatures that use guns. The team is slaughtered with Nick escaping. Back in civilization, no one believes Nick’s tale of demon killers except journalist Harmony Boniface. As they plan to return to the site of the carnage, they begin to unravel a major cover-up of a failed effort to re-erect Australopithecus, but that knowledge is lethal to anyone outside the conspiracy.

This heart of Africa tale depicts a dark future if certain genetic reengineering paths are followed. The story line is a cautionary tale of a Dr. Frankenstein variety using state of the art genome knowledge as a base for science unchecked turning the continent into hell. The plot is frightening as the depth of details makes the case for concern that recklessness can lead to devastation unheard of even in biblical proportions. However, the intensity is so realistic; it also slows down the plot as readers frightfully envision a near futuristic bleak landscape.

Harriet Klausner

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