Total brain food about creation, whether it be scientific or artistic. Intelligent writing, captivating, worth reading at least a couple more times. The book is a beautifully composed snapshot of today's culture and the fascination and controversy over the use of genetic discoveries. (A high school knowledge of biology is helpful but not required.) As much about the creation of art as it is about human manipulation of creation, the structure alone is worth the read, especially for a would-be author (which I am not but can still appreciate). Basically, the line between fiction and non-fiction is nonexistent. You like, hate, and question the characters as Powers simultaneously has the 'author' comment about the manipulation of the reader to like, hate and question the characters. A little bleak in the outlook on the state of writing today(or perhaps the 'state of reading today' would be more accurate) but that's something that everyone who holds reading dear questions. This is a book you pick up again in fifty years to remind yourself what the population was contemplating shortly after the turn of the century in regards to art and life science.