The Perfection of Fish

by J.S. Morrison

2020 Maxy Awards Finalist - SciFi/Fantasy

The contest between men and women escalates to a new battlefield—genetics. Legislators mandate a testosterone-lowering food supplement to reduce violence and make gun control unnecessary. The blowback assumes epic proportions. Nadia Holkam—a pawn in the battle—desperately seeks her true identity.

Diana Holkam discovers companies are using her twin sister as a template for the perfect subordinate female in an experiment aimed at turning all women into pets. With help from a one-eyed Muslim Bible salesman, an African American woman promoting a testosterone-reducing food supplement, and an Indian geneticist fleeing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, they fight against a misogynistic CEO, a would-be prophet of male supremacy, and the mob. Neither side realizes the AI system developing the genetic “cure” has a different plan for human evolution—a plan that has something to do with fish.

Genres: Science Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2020

About the author

J.S. Morrison is the author of “The Perfection of Fish” (Speculative Fiction, Satire, Black Rose Writing, 2020). He was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1947, had a career in Air Force Intelligence (1970-1991), followed by a career in the Tech industry (1991-2016). He has lived in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, and visited Asia, Africa, South America, and Antarctica. He optioned two original screenplays before deciding to write a near-future satire on gender wars. He is a member of the Authors Guild, the Maryland Writers’ Association, and the Black Writers Collective. When he is not writing or traveling, he dabbles in astrophysics as a member of a local scientific society.

Reviews

[Corrine Cassels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I struggled between two and three stars because even though I really didn't dig the war of the sexes theme in this book, at least not where the author went with it, I did really think it was an original and amazing concept for a sci-fi novel. I really wanted to like it, but my god, maybe consult a bit with a woman before attempting some of these themes. If the misogyny wasn't intended, then perhaps Morrison has some soul searching to do. While trying to write strong woman characters, he instead came up with gender-neutral qualities and enhanced the "manly" attributes of the strong male characters. There's a lot more I could say on the gender themes on the book, but honestly, I don't think the author intended it to be so poorly received, so I'll take it easy on that aspect. However, there was just so much to keep track of, lots of details and plot line twists, that it was easier to focus on what made me mad about this book rather than the parts I liked. I do think despite all that, that Morrison has a very strong voice. This book was extremely well written, even if I didn't always agree with the direction he was going. I'd give his work another shot for sure, because I think there's a lot of potential there.

[Aishwarya J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably imaginative and compelling, this book offered a glimpse into a dystopian future world where the mandatory use of Testrial, a testosterone-reducing supplement, has become a hotbed of politics and controversy.

I enjoyed reading about the agoraphobic Nadia Holkam who is imprisoned inside her own house and psychologically terrorised into submission by Berkshire “Berky” Benson.

Berky sets out to create the perfect woman - a conventionally attractive, submissive “pet” with delicate feet and toes, in a genetic experiment, using Nadia as a template.

This epic plan to dominate the world by creating a new species of submissive, pet-like women is thwarted by the brave Diana, Nadia’s identical twin, aided by an Indian geneticist, a Bangladeshi immigrant and Marcy, the female equivalent of today’s Men’s Rights Activists.

Morrison’s world is chilling and frightening, but it is also eerily similar to the world we live in - where casual sexism can so easily turn into full blown misogyny and male supremacy.

I loved the lightness and freshness Morrison brought to such a chilling topic, with the smattering of dry humor. Like the mention of Fox News alongside male supremacist and conspiracy websites.

A real page turner, I loved how the plot unfolded slowly - the story of the town of Assurance, Nadia and Berky’s agreement, and the crazy genetics experiment involving fish. I haven’t read a book like this one in years. A truly unique and fascinating read.

[Timea Tokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought-provoking message...

The Perfection of Fish by J. S. Morrison was a thought-provoking read that not only entertained the idea of a possible (and kind of messed up) future, but it made the reader believe that said future is already a possibility.

I would say the author succeeded in conveying a message that if humanity carries on the way it is at the moment, this is the kind of future we can expect.

Apart from the not-so-hidden message, I thoroughly enjoyed the author's sarcastic style and dark humour, as well as the realness of his characters.

And, although I might not like the main idea behind the story, it's not my place to judge. Overall, the good outweighed the bad and provided an enjoyable read full of thought-provoking messages and suggestions.

[Sally Flint · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one crazy read. I really liked it at the beginning, but quickly realised that I would get stressed with any violence portrayed. (The toe part at the beginning put me off!) The battle between the sexes as a topic for the Sci-Fi text was fine, though genetics stuff confuses me and I got quite muddled. In terms of writing style I thought the first half was definitely better than the second half. It did feel a bit like at the end everything had to suddenly come together and be explained. I’m not saying it was a bad book, but overall, it wasn’t for me.

[Prescilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was super excited when I found this book but it was a bitter disappointment. It was chaotic and bizarre and I didn't connect with anybody. I'm really sad I didn't like it because I wanted a good Sci-fi thriller so so much!
This book was provided to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in response for an honest review.

Right off the bat this book was quick paced and character driven. It was nonlinear, which I do usually love, and this was no exception. It follows a handful of characters that don't actually intertwine until a good chunk of the way through, but their separate journeys are just as interesting as what happens once they do get together.

Not going to lie, it was a bit confusing at times and I was left wondering if this book was going to be as good as I originally thought, but I turned out to really like it. The characters were interesting, with complete backstories, sometimes even going as far back as their childhood. I was a bit slow to understand the world and what actually was going on, but as I read, it was explained to me fairly well. I love characters fighting bleak futures and this was quintessentially that. I was able to place myself in the book since the scenes were described, at times, almost too well. Overall this was really good and I would recommend it to people who love realistic science fiction futures.

[Sue Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankyou to NetGalley, Black Rose Writing and the author, J S Morrison, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Perfection of Fish in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I will be the first to admit, I don't know what it was about this book that drew me in. You certainly cannot judge a book by its cover. The premise of the storyline had piqued my interest, so I thought "why not". I am so glad I did.
The first couple of pages had me wondering what I had gotten myself into. But, I kept turning those pages. I had to. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. I was hooked.
No words can describe how good this book is. Everything from the narrative, the vivid scenery and imagery to the characters, was well thought out and written.
Absolutely loved reading this book and would highly recommend it.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a cool premise and it's executed quite effectively via interesting characters and an imaginative plot, along with clever aspects and humor. I admire the author's creativity and writing skills, and look forward to his next book.

As always, thanks to Black Rose for the review copy!!

[Judi Easley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughts: This one is waaaaay out there. Because of its timing it's future and sci-fi, but it also has to have fantasy, dystopian, and dark comedy added to that. It's Alice in Wonderland Goes to the Circus Via The Twilight Zone. I'm just not sure where to start to write a review of such a book, but I have to. Did I like it? No. Would I recommend it? Yes. RTC

The Perfection of Fish
J.S. Morrison
Black Rose Writing, Jul 2020
405 pages
Sci-fiction
Provided by NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars

The cover was what caught my eye with its wonderful colors. Titles these days are all over the place and can mean anything, so I really didn’t pay too much attention to this one. Silly me. I hope I’ve learned my lesson. Especially when it comes to sci-fi. When they say fish, they mean fish.

The story takes place in a town that really no longer exists. With people who should no longer exist outside of supervised care facilities or state prisons. The “twin girls” that the “scientists” try to take advantage of throughout the book are damaged, to begin with, and become more so from what happens under the scientists’ care. One has hidden inside the family cabin and is afraid to go outside. She is preserving the history of the vanished town and her father’s work. The other sister has left the town and struck out to get away from it all, but she’s worried about her sister. So she comes back to rescue her from the scientists. The two don’t work well together because they can’t agree on what to do, stay or go.

The girls’ story is interspersed with scenes from the “scientists” side of things, and it couldn’t be wackier. Take someone’s science discovery and tie it to a hoaky religion and raise money. Run your experiments on fish and see what you get. Don’t forget the political aspect of it all. Women run things and men take a supplement that suppresses testosterone. This is a post-apocalyptic society if there ever was one. I forget what year it’s supposed to be, but it’s futuristic.

The pace was rather brisk and the tension was high at times, especially the closer to the end it got. But it could also be rather laid back at times. In the 60s we used to blame things like this on someone doing drugs, but it’s not PC to say things like that anymore. So I guess I just have to blame it on a really weird imagination and bad dreams. This is not something I ever want to read again and it will definitely take me some time to forget all that I read. It does have staying power. I may recommend it to my son, he’s a Pratchett fan. This might appeal to him. He’s also an adult and could handle this. This is definitely not for children. I wouldn’t even give it to a young adult, though I’m sure some will read it. I’m going to try to be fair and rate this on its writing quality and impression, not on whether or not I liked the subject matter, so it will probably get a higher rating than it might have initially. I took quite a while to think about this one because my first impulse was to trash it, but it doesn’t deserve that. Though I cannot recommend it either.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sci-Fi/fantasy books are not usually a genre I read, or at least not often. However, I was intrigued by the description of this book and decided to give it a whirl. What I found was a very bizarre book that featured gender wars, talking fish and multi-faceted characters.

There is a battle between the sexes and women currently hold the upper hand and food is doused with Testrial that seems to calm men down and they act more like servants than men. Not all men are like this, there are those that avoid any food that contains this ingredient and several are on course to create the "perfect" woman and return things to a time of the past where women were more like "pets" for the men. Obviously, most women (and some men) don't want to see that happen. So a small band of protestors seeks to shut down Berky and Candor's quest for this new lifestyle.

I found the characters to be quite interesting and the interactions between all kept the story flowing. There is some scientific discussion but nothing to drawn out to lose a reader. There is humor that I didn't expect and was darker than you might expect. I was surprised by a few twists at the end regarding the twins, Nadia and Diana. There was also some graphic violence that was unexpected and it made me uncomfortable considering the level.

This book is definitely a journey for the reader and while sometimes it felt like I was trudging through, other sections were brilliant. Overall, we give this 3 1/2 paws.

[Donna Costello · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing I liked best about this novel was that it had a completely original concept. I feel that it can be a struggle to find something so unique these days, but the author really pulled it off.

Some parts of this novel were weird and wonderful and at times it really gave me some food for thought, however I struggled to be immersed in it fully.

I feel the characters could have been more established, I liked them, but I didn’t feel invested in them. I found parts of the plot convoluted and at times confusing. In my opinion there seemed a lot to keep track of.

Overall fans of Sci-Fi should give this a read for the originality of the text, however I feel the novel would have benefited from another draft in terms of plot and characters.

[Matt McAvoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must confess to struggling with this book somewhat. With an ensemble cast of characters, and different strands of a connected storyline, I admit that I spent much of the read lost and trying to play catch-up. I saw it through, of course, because I was keen to see where this otherwise intriguing, dark, absurd and occasionally disturbing tale was leading. It is, in fact, a very clever, if simple overall story, in which two misogynistic zealots set out to genetically create a subservient global female population, in a future world in which testosterone has been legally suppressed. The strands converge when their human guinea pig sides up with a bitter ex-wife and an illegal immigrant employee; America’s inept ICE department inevitably ends up doing their dirty work for them – undoubtedly a sideswipe at the inanity of the country’s immigration enforcers. As the sum of its parts, The Perfection of Fish is not particularly complicated, rather more convoluted – it is the parts themselves which become very difficult to follow. I think this is due, in no small part, to the relentless wry wit and distracting amount of dialogue, which is offbeat and distracting. The whole talking fish aspect takes the book into the realms for absurdity, hugely influencing the genre, to outright bizarre comedy. I found this a bit of a shame and, to be quite honest, with some irony, I think the whole thing would probably have been vastly improved if the whole fish (and the overall zaniness) had been left out of the tale altogether, trimming and simplifying the story; to tell the truth, I was crying out for a smoother and more fluid narrative. The book is long, and feels it at times; it could have comfortably removed at least one element for a shorter word count.

Yet, in spite of my own struggle with it, I can’t deny the quality in this book and its author. Morrison is an exceptional writer, undoubtedly highly educated and superbly eloquent. He is also tremendous at creating a vivid set-piece, and you do feel that you are there, as the reader, living the scene. His characters, too, as silly as they get, are well-considered, well-layered and superbly crafted. All in all, he rates very highly for me, as an author – I feel that the book would have done the same, if perhaps the story was delivered with a more reader-friendly voice and great deal less digression. It is a wryly comic, high-brow book for an intelligent, discerning reader, but not a passive read in any way, and it took me a noticeable amount of effort to keep with it. An acquired taste, I would suggest, but a good example of one, if you like your books offbeat, absurd and cleverly woven.

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gender wars, corporate chicanery, sibling love, family ties, trauma, regret, and yearning are the themes of Morrison’s outstanding debut, a tale of gender wars set in futuristic America.

It’s near-future, and the world is in the throes of a gender war. A testosterone-lowering food supplement is made mandatory by law to reduce violence and make gun control unnecessary. The misogynist billionaire Berkshire Benson takes it upon himself to salvage muscularity and has both money and power to manipulate genetic science and artificial intelligence. The timid, agoraphobic Nadia Holkam becomes a pawn in Berky’s sinister plan: her genes provide a perfect template to create docile, subservient futuristic generation of women. When Diana Holkam, Nadia’s prodigal twin sister, learns about her sister’s plight, she spurs a resistance movement, unaware of the fact that the AI system developing the genetic cure has an entirely different plan for human evolution.

Issues of unscrupulous genetic manipulation, sexual abuse, obsession with power, tyranny, and gender and class disparity are ingeniously addressed within the book, which features both compliant and assertive female characters, corrupt, barbaric antagonists, the gruesome sexual encounters, and genetically modified animals.

Without losing momentum, Morrison skillfully crafts the sequence of events leading up to the final catastrophe. Despite it being a very clever, if simple overall story of gender wars, the reader is more than halfway through the novel before it becomes clear that things are, in fact, what they seem on the surface.

There is a large cast of characters, each with their perfectly sketched individual stories. Diana’s voice, witty and mocking, is urgent. Nadia leaves a lasting impression on the reader’s mind. The lurid fantasy she creates in Berky’s absence and her frequent hops into the past as she tries to blackout the painful memories of her present constitutes a story within a story. Flashbacks illuminate the Kelsey and Holkam family history. Sundar Rao and Ali Khan Ahmad’s backstories echoes the nostalgia and longing of immigrants and their archetypal quest for home in a foreign land. Canduka Cantor and Berky are thoroughly despicable antagonists.

Effortlessly and inventively built, Morrison’s darkly humorous social commentary rings chords on the ways the society today is obsessed with gender, class, race, and white privilege, and how the power that science, especially genetic engineering offers can be used as a deadly weapon against the humanity.

Morrison’s clever observations are infused with sly, dark humor, and his intelligent worldbuilding make the place and character come alive.

This is ingenious storytelling at its best.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have 2 unique feelings about The Perfection of Fish.
On the one hand I find that The Perfection Of Fish is extremely creative, on the other hand I feel like it only adequately expresses its narrative from the male perspective. In that regard i do not feel like there is a complete and whole understanding of the narrative from both perspectives. I love science fiction and fantasy so for that reason i did find the book gripping and interesting to read. It blends reality with fiction through the periscope of science, its a very original idea and does make for a fun read. The protagonist Diana is well thought out and allows you to connect with her on a deeper level which brings the novel closer to home. The idea behind the "twin sister" is a bit played out. The duality of (wo)man could have been expressed in a less generic way, nonetheless cloning women surrounded by a swarm of evil and menacing forces is fun to read. Personally what i liked most about the novel is not the story itself but the way it gets you thinking about what things may be like in a reality dominated by men of science. At times the read felt a bit technical in regards to hormonal manipulation and the science behind it. Tracking the different plots and story lines can get a bit arduous and confusing at times as well there are just so many topics of interest in this book and at times it starts to leapfrog from one thing to the other making it challenging to follow. This is the sort of novel that has two sides to it either you love it or you don't. I did really enjoy the book and i would recommend it if you are in the mood to delve into a world of masculinity controlled by science! I can say that i have never read a book quite like this one and the concept is truly original, perhaps this novel would have been better suited to mass readers if it was split up into series rather than one book. At times the read feels like the author is trying to convey his opinions on gender roles onto the reader rather than let the reader explore those realities through their own deductions. Here is my truth, any book that has me thinking and questioning the themes of the novel days after i have finished reading it is definitely worth the read. It is stimulating and thought provoking and keeps you thinking about it and asking yourself questions long after the read is over. I would definitely suggest this book to sci-fi enthusiasts!

[Joshua Maley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy topical sci-fi that examines social and political issues through the lens of other worlds and cultures. Star Trek, for example, used to do this perfectly and fairly. Each side of the issue was given a fair shake and the viewer was left to decide what to think.

Recent attempts at this type of topical sci-fi seem more interested in pushing a specific point of view and demonizing anyone who doesn’t believe it. This book stops just short of this, but it is not your father’s topical sci-fi. There’s a lot of fawning praise for any story that is “progressive” and that deals with “tough issues” without much thought for how those issues are presented and analyzed. Progressive does not by default mean it’s the greatest thing ever written.

I found it tough to decide if this story was trying to be a little meta with the idea of castrating men by reducing their testosterone (which is despicable) or if it was trying to be too on-the-nose.

The idea that men have to be castrated for women to be powerful is of courses patently absurd. Such a notion is an affront and insult to the millions of strong women out there who toil in obscurity. But this is another common trope that serves as one of the main throughlines here.

The book itself is a little manic, but that serves it well. It’s a bit trippy at times, reminding me a little of Repo: The Genetic Opera. There are some very solid moments here, and some cringe-worthy ones as well. And there's a lot more to unpack than just the gender wars, most of which works pretty well.

It’s worth a read if you want to challenge yourself a bit and you don’t mind the modern conception of “to lift up one group, we have to tear down another group” that seems prevalent in today’s world. And mad props to the author for the bold move of taking on a female perspective here. It’s not an easy thing, and some may interpret it as misogynistic, but frankly, to me, it shows a sincere effort by the author to try and understand the “other side” so to speak. It’s not perfect, but it’s an effort and I don’t think enough people appreciate that.

[Kristine D · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of a battle between the sexes isn’t, of itself, a turn off for me. I liked the premise that a patriarch society contributes and promotes a violent society, and that that particular issued needs to be addressed. However, the solution in this book – a genetic or hormonal manipulation to lower testosterone that is found in the things we eat and drink – still smacked of misogyny. I think the author tried very hard to write strong, smart, powerful women, but landed somewhere in the neighborhood of calculating androgyny. The answer to abundant sexism against women is not abundant sexism against men. Feminism is not about castrating men but portraying it that way sends a strong message about the authors perspective on the feminist movement, whether he is conscious of it or not.

Philosophy aside, the plot is convoluted. The author is tackling too many issues at once: genetic and hormonal manipulation, politics, the dangers of threatening one’s identity, the conflict and confluence of money and power. While each of these topics on their own would be enough to support a novel-length work of fiction, cramming them all into one work is challenging at best. The story moves around so much that it’s very difficult to keep track of which storyline you’re in and where the last story line left off.

The writing itself is quite good. The author does a good job of creating characters that elicit a reaction from the reader. For my part, most of the characters in the book are deplorable. But having the ability to make me feel anything at all about a character shows talent. The dialogue is snappy and believable. And the sci-fi aspect of the story seems a reasonable stretch from what exists today, making it easier to surrender to the fiction of it all.

I wanted to like this book more. The summary seemed very interesting, and if you’re the kind of reader who enjoys reading very carefully to track a complicated plot, go for it. I think in all of the confusion, the point that the author was trying to make was lost on me.

[James W · Rating 4 out of 5]

J. S. Morrison’s ‘The Perfection of Fish’ is a highly original, thought-provoking exploration of gender and genetics through a sci-fi lens.

Built around an ever-effective ‘battle of the sexes’ premise, Morrison’s novel begins by introducing us to Diana Holkam, a smart, resourceful protagonist who quickly becomes embroiled in a battle with all sorts of evil forces after discovering that her twin sister is being used as a template for a sinister, horribly misogynistic plan to clone women.

What follows is a suspense-laden narrative that touches upon a wide-range of ideas and concepts, from patriarchal societies to genetic manipulation and hormonal control. Over the course of the novel, Morrison introduces a bevy of characters, each with their own clouded motivations, and of course, there’s a pretty huge twist involving fish!

For his part, Morrison infuses his writing with a ‘dry’ humor that, more or less, supplies the story with a subtle satirical edge. His prose might venture into ‘acquired taste’ territory at times, but in this writer’s opinion, it worked, further elevating an already-intriguing premise.

While Morrison’s reach occasionally exceeds his grasp—pacing and cohesion become an issue during the protracted third act—the originality of the story’s premise combined with Morrison’s clear, concise prose makes for a compelling read from beginning to end. Fans of general adult fiction will probably ‘enjoy’ ‘The Perfection of Fish,’ but make no mistake, this is a high-brow piece of science fiction that—in the way all the best sci-fi stories tend to—will push the boundaries of patience and expectation, all the while rewarding readers with an altered perspective.

[Steven Rosenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfection of Fish by J.S. Morrison is a wild tale that takes place in the year 2042, our very near future. In this new world, crime and violence by men have escalated plus men have resurrected the social philosophy that a woman’s place is in the home, women should be seen and not heard, etc. In response, a group of women who the men call Feminazis have developed a drug called Testrial which lowers testosterone in men. These women have successfully lobbied the government to add this drug into the food supply and it actually does have a positive effect at lowering crime and violence. Enter our antagonists, two men who liked things just the way they were. These two have enough money and insanity to launch an ill-conceived bioengineering plot intent on changing women’s biology to become submissive.

I found the beginning of the story a bit cumbersome. Our author is introducing many characters including backstories, locations, and histories. Some of the story is present-day and some is flashback. It seems at first that these storylines are all running parallel. After a few chapters, we see some of the storylines come together and the story starts to purr like a well-tuned engine. J.S. Morrison has created good characters that we love and bad ones that we hate. I happen to love stories that include some pandemonium. Towards the end of the story, an event erupts into a complete calamity that includes a domino effect of ridiculous incidents that had me rolling in laughter. There is more humor in the story including some Jewish humor that is very well done. I found this novel to be completely original and very entertaining. It is worth your time!

[Veronica Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Perfection of Fish" by J.S. Morrison there is a lot going on. He builds a fictional, future world that has themes of genetics, toxic masculinity, women's rights, and more.

It starts out by introducing us to Nadia Holkom, the last resident of a town called Assurance. Assurance was built on what was thought to be a supernatural vortex and the people who lived there governed each other and reminded me of a western town. Nadia, as the lone survivor, is held prisoner in her home by her own demons of agoraphobia and also Berky Benson, who we learn is using her to create the "perfect woman" - a slave to men.

We then begin meeting other characters that dive deeper into the underlying theme of a "battle of the sexes” and genetics. Although it was an interesting read and a page-turner, there was a lot of story lines going on at the same time. They all were connected in some way, but some of the story was unnecessary to the plot. Also, the talk about genetics sometimes confused me because I don't know a lot about the terminology, but it stuck to the pace of the story and was necessary, so it didnt deter me from
continuing it. What does fish have to do with anything? Well, it could be the answer to human evolution. You’ll have to continue reading to find out.

All in all, this was an interesting read, it made me think, and I would read something from this author again.

[litandcoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the near-future landscape of debut author Morrison’s mesmerizing SF tale, a misogynistic billionaire sets out to create a genetically modified, docile global female population after testosterone has been legally suppressed.

With genetics involved, the gender war is in full swing in the near-future America. On one hand, there are feminist influencers promoting the testosterone-suppressing drug to decrease male aggression, and on other hand, the misogynistic billionaire Berky Benson is ready to use his wealth and power to manipulate genes to create a meek, submissive global population of women. When the agoraphobic, docile Nadia Holkam becomes a pawn in Berky’s sinister game, it’s up to Diana Holkam, Nadia’s twin sister, to save Nadia from the clutches of Berky.

Despite a simple storyline, the plot is intricately created. It takes a long time to set up the action, especially with inclusion of a large array of characters and multiple sub plots, but once the narrative hits the middle, it gains an unstoppable momentum.

Rooted in both the elements of SF and magical realism, Morrison delivers a tale deeply affected by bigotry, racism, and corporate trickery, but the final tragedy is equally the result of human greed and lust for power and control.

Biting humor, clever dialogue, and fully-realized place and character make this fantastic SF tale a tour de force.

[Sublime Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Rating = 4.5

Storyline & Concept = 4.25

Writing & Delivery = 4.5

Editorial = 4.75

Two factions on opposing sides of the gender divide battle it out with the help of genetics in this near-futuristic novel. Government-mandated food supplements to reduce testosterone and violence incites a group of misogynists to come up with their own plan to turn women into subordinate pets.

The Perfection of Fish takes quirkiness to the next level with characters that range from a sexist CEO with a toe fetish to a one-eyed Muslim, and everything in between. The technologies, both the everyday communication devices and those created for genetic engineering, are amazingly believable, even though they are the product of the extraordinary imagination of the author. Messages and themes are woven into the plot, and while the delivery is not subtle, it is humorous and satiric, making the story resonate all the more. The reader can easily envision such a world only decades in the future, although whether with joy or trepidation would depend upon one’s core values.

Sublime Line: “Provocative themes are conveyed in this highly imaginative, entertaining, and satirical work of speculative fiction.”

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very different from most I have read. A fable with a fantasy twist is the best way to describe it. Diana Holkam discovers that her twin sister is one of the subordinate females being used in a weird experiment to turn women into pets. With the help of Muslim Bible salesman, an African-American woman selling a testosterone-reducing food supplement, and an Indian geneticist, she fights against a team of male supremacists and the mob. None of them realize that this genetic experiment is a plan that has something to do with fish and the world. It starts off with a quote from Pablo Picasso: “Everything you can imagine is real.” The chapters have interesting titles like The Perfection of Wolves, Barblefarb with Balloons, The End at the Rainbow, and The Yumm of Tea and Fish. At times the book was tedious and hard to keep track of who and what as the plot progressed. It is definitely a must-read for a temporary reality escape and into the unknown world which constantly keeps you guessing.

[Argenis Ovalle-Sánchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe the author, despite of introducing an original plot, gave us more than what he intended. The Perfection Of Fish targets way too many issues at once. First, the battle of the sexes. I didn't hate it, mainly because it was interesting to know that even in the future sexism remains a problem which is realistic.

The main problem is the solution to this sexism: genetics? Characters create a testosterone-loweing food suplement to decrease male violence. This part didn't make a lot of sense to me: in order to reduce gun violence, men need to suffer a shortage of their hormones; it doesn't even sound ethical. Contrary to the book, the solution to toxic masculinity is NOT another form of toxic.

Last but not least, I don't think J.S. Morrison needed so many character. He could have been fine with just Nadia and Berky as the main characters. Think about it: Berky is out of his mind and Nadia struggles with her relationship with him. It would have been fine to see just how that unfolds.

[Mrs Rj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read a vast amount of science fiction over the years, it is a rare thing to come across anything as original as this book. It is an interesting look at a seriously messed up future world where gender and genetics have taken centre stage as the all encompassing meaning and purpose in life.

However, I struggled to connect at any great level with any of the many weird and wonderful characters, both human and animal, in the story which made it difficult to feel invested in the narrative. While I do usually enjoy the genre I found several elements in this case to be so far fetched and ridiculous that it distracted me from the unfolding story and I struggled to plough through to the end. The first half of the book seems quite disjointed and I was left quite confused at times and then I felt that the ending was too abrupt.

All in all, I didn't really enjoy the book, the talking fish finished me off. I think others would enjoy the ride more than I did because of it's originality but be prepared for a rather chaotic and out there journey!

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Perfection of Fish seems like quite an acquired taste - there are, undoubtedly, some brilliant moments and ideas peppered throughout the book, but there are just as many moments which jarred.

The story incorporates two separate-but-vaguely-compatible narrative lines: first, an imaginative 'battle of the sexes' that exposes the power dynamics of gender and the danger of extremism, which situates itself as sci-fi through an innovative application of genetics; second, a twist on the familiar Artificial Intelligence tropes. Although the author leaves a lot of questions about how the world of the novel has come to be, this is made up for by the thoroughness of the present which is established. Some of the subtext of the plot can be a little too plainly stated for my taste, but on balance the style is really enjoyable, with some brilliant satire thrown in.

Overall, I found it to be really witty, an easy read (for the most part!) and genuinely captivating, in spite of the stranger moments.

[Jason Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s best to enter this book with no preconceived notions as to how fish fit into the sci fi universe. Fans of Douglas Adams may respond to the title with a knee-jerk “so long and thanks for all the fish,” but the voyage they’re about to take has little to do with the existing universe. It’s still not a bad idea to pack a towel, though.

Patience is a virtue for the first half of this novel.

There are many characters, and their personalities, stories, values, and realities are revealed slowly and methodically. Like a fisherman slowly casting and allowing his line, Morrison feeds the reader carefully, reeling them in slowly with revelations. There are times when it’s easy to forget that this is a sci fi novel, especially as many of the themes, ideals, and conflicts presented are very familiar to modern Americans. Still, readers can’t help but take the bait, and play the line out all the way to the end.

[Willow Moon Greymoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly unique Sci-fi novel.

The Perfection of Fish by J. S. Morrison was a fast-paced read with a unique plot that brought newness to the topic of genders and the multitude of differences between men and women paired with genetic studies. Although this book is fictional, the hidden messages were peppered throughout its pages that point to various stigmas regarding the differences between the genders.

Throughout the book, there were many topics author Morrison was trying to convey, and at times the characters and storyline were convoluted and tangled. I did re-read several of the pages twice to grasp the plot. The rushed writing style and lack of organization were detractors from the book's quality messages about society's folkways and norms surrounding gender and religion.

It is quite apparent that Morrison possesses an avidly vibrant imagination with a talent for creating fantastical sci-fi worlds.

[Hannah Barry · Rating 2 out of 5]

While an intriguing concept, it felt a bit stale and convoluted. Many times during my reading of this book I lost track of the thread of plot and characters. I was able to overcome the tedium and finish the book, which, once I had a full picture, I was able to see how original and thorough the premise was and I enjoyed the general arch of the story.

However, a book deeply entrenched with themes of fighting up against the patriarchy, misogyny, and general male supremacy fell a little flat for me. It's hard to have those themes resonate when the author is a man and the book is still clearly written from the male gaze. I would have preferred those themes left out if they couldn't be executed to realistic perfection, including an activist narrative that mirrored and furthered the discussion in our real world.

[Kat Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE PERFECTION OF THE FISH pits men and women against one another in a futuristic battle of the sexes. Set in the near future, men rebel against the machinations of women who have devised a plan to curb masculine violence. Unfortunately, the plan is inhumane, and men devise retribution. Though at times the plot is a little hard to follow and the large number of characters can be overwhelming, the exceptional writing helps with clarity. Overall, the plot is strong and characters memorable even though abundant.
This is a wonderfully unique new take on the age-old struggle between men and women. Fans of fantasy and sci-fi are not the only readers who’ll enjoy this one. There’s a lot to unravel in this book, but if one has the patience, it’s worth the effort. Morrison reels in the reader with this innovative read.

[Cecelia Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

The high points for me were the characters and the zany humor: For example the "Muslim Bible salesman". The joke here is obvious, but not a throwaway. We see all the characters' motivations and get to know them well. I appreciated the diversity too.
The narrative was a little clunky. For example, we are told Berky finds Nadia through Eban. A short time later, we read the scene were Eban tells Berky about Nadia. Neither of these choices are wrong, but we don't need both. It only added to the bulk of the book and made the story more convoluted than necessary.
The commentary on gender was ambitious but not, in the end, successful. The author seemed to know the men's rights activist arguments well (and could skewer them deftly) but did not have as strong a grasp of feminist theory. Also, there are more than two genders and have been in many cultures across time.