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111th out of 126 books
—
63 voters
Nothing Human
by
Nancy Kress (Goodreads Author)
Told from the perspective of several generations of teenagers, this science fiction novel involves an Earth ravaged by mankind, high-tech manipulative aliens, and advanced genetics. Early in the 21st century, global warming has caused sickness and death among plants, animals, and humans. Suddenly aliens contact and genetically modify a group of 14-years-olds, inviting them...more
Hardcover, 300 pages
Published
September 1st 2003
by Golden Gryphon Press
(first published 2003)
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First, it's unsettling that only 5,000 copies of this book exist. It's one of Kress's better novels. Secondly, as a 'warning parable', it is the nth iteration in the SF genre of the destructive potential of rapid technology change, and the modern world's general obliviousness to this risk. Kress has given interviews (I believe with Rick Kleffel via podcast) on her realization that virtually no popular public discourse or interest exists on the rapidly evolving science and applications of genetic...more
I haven't read Nancy Kress she is one of the best out there now. While this was no Beggars in Spain, it was one of among the better of her books that has I have read that has to do with genetic engineering. The plot surrounds children who are genetically engineered to interact with these aliens who then genetically engineer their children to better deal with a world dealing with a catastrophic climate change.
It is a fairly easy read book, though if your going to go the whole DNA, RNA route I'd...more
It is a fairly easy read book, though if your going to go the whole DNA, RNA route I'd...more
This is one of the most disturbing posthuman science fiction stories I've ever read (that's a good thing). In Nothing Human, aliens known as the "pribir" arrive in 2005, just as humanity is beginning to tinker with genetic engineering in earnest. Having prepared for their arrival by tweaking the genes of several in vitro babies, all of whom are now thirteen years old, the pribir communicate by sending olfactory information (smells) that these "pribir children" can receive as images. After a rock...more
i've only read the first few pages .... i wouldn't describe them as a stellar opening for a story. however, last year i read Kress's During the Fall, Before the Fall, After the Fall (i think i have that in the right order). it was a fresh interesting approach to the post-apocalyptic story .... one that actually incorporated science fiction ... so yay! it was a great read so i am going to have faith in Ms Kress's ability as a writer. onward ho!
oh Ms. Kress ... you have definitely won me over. as...more
oh Ms. Kress ... you have definitely won me over. as...more
Feb 18, 2010
Flame On
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone whos interested in the science fiction genre.
Recommended to Flame by:
noone
One of the most under-appreciated books I've seen. First book that drew me into the science fiction genre. A bit strange at first, but plotted up to something nice. A bit futuristic based on the time period the novel was written in. Don't really want to get tooooo much into it for fear of ruining the book for others. But there is much to learn through this book. Pains of loss, deep human emotions, embracing the unknown, true love, tolerance of differences, and forgiving and forgetting.
Nancy Kress is always thought-provoking. This dystopian novel is a bit reminiscent of Octavia E Butler's Dawn trilogy, with its themes of what does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be a family? And what happens if your children are not really the same species? Disturbing at times, but not horrifying. There's always a hopefulness at the core of Kress' books.
Despite the obvious themes of alien contact and the ethics of genetic engineering, I would have to say that the primary idea that Kress seems to dwell upon is the nature/definition of humanity. It is interesting literary brain fodder to think about in relation to current advancements in science and technology.
While I liked her Sleepless series better, this one was a fun read. I found it interesting that I was so reminded of Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis series as I read Nothing Human.
A biopunk generations novel about aliens sticking their noses into our gene pool. A good read alike for fans of Butler. And seriouisly, that cover is boss.
I read it in one sitting, couldn’t put it down but I was a bit disappointed on how it ended.
Pam and Pete reminded me of Octavia Butler's Oankali in some respects.
Like every Nancy Kress book I've read, this is a wonderful combination of compelling plot and well-drawn characters. Kress' science fiction (in this case, genetic engineering & the effects of global warming) sets up the background situation, but what drives the book are its characters. And what lingers long after the book is done is a number of unanswered questions. For example, what determines whether someone is human or not (hence the title)?
This is probably Kress's least-known novel, which is a real shame since I believe that it may well be her best. It's a very bleak depiction of the the effects of global warming, biowarfare, over-population, etc. and the choices that those consequences force. Spanning a hundred years, the ultimate question is whether the forced adaptations leave humanity or something different entirely. A very well-written, thought-provoking novel.
This book is amazing! All of her books blow my mind -- she is one of the most talented plotters of all time.
Kress does alien life well and she also has insight into questions about the definition of humanity, especially with regard to the enhancements that may take humans to the next stage and the reaction of "ordinary" people to those with enhancements. c.f. the Beggars in Spain trilogy.
What, Julian gives five stars to a human/alien contact post-apocalyptic novel that's really smart about social stuff too and is by Nancy Kress? Who would have guessed! I enjoyed this one a lot.
Gotta love required class reading o_0.
Apr 17, 2013
Igraine
marked it as auf-gar-keinen-fall
Apr 12, 2013
Kamil
marked it as to-read
Apr 10, 2013
Ned
marked it as to-read
Mar 21, 2013
Jeremy Fergason
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Diane
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Tania HH
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Carla Patterson
marked it as to-read
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Nancy Kress is an American science fiction writer. She began writing in 1976 but has achieved her greatest notice since the publication of her Hugo and Nebula-winning 1991 novella
Beggars in Spain
which was later expanded into a novel with the same title. In addition to her novels, Kress has written numerous short stories and is a regular columnist for Writer's Digest. She is a regular at Clarion...more
More about Nancy Kress...
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Sep 07, 2012 06:45pm