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Living Proof
In 2027, destroying an embryo is considered first-degree murder. Fertility clinics still exist, giving hope and new life to thousands of infertile families, but they have to pass rigorous inspections by the United States Department of Embryo Preservation. Fail an inspection, and you will be prosecuted.
Brilliant young doctor Arianna Drake seems to be thriving in the spotlight: her small clinic surpasses every government requirement, and its popularity has spiked, a sudden, rapid growth that leaves the DEP chief mystified. When he discovers Arianna's radical past as a supporter of an infamous scientist, he sends undercover agent Trent Rowe to investigate her for possible illegal activity.
As Trent is pulled into Arianna's enigmatic world, his own begins to unravel. The secret he finally uncovers will deeply move him, and jeopardize them both. With the clock ticking her life away, he finds himself questioning everything he knows to be true, and then must summon the courage to take the greatest risk of all. Nothing less than human life, and a major scientific breakthrough, hang in the balance.
A thought-provoking thriller by debut author Kira Peikoff, Living Proof is a celebration of love and life that cuts to the core of a major cultural debate of our time.
Brilliant young doctor Arianna Drake seems to be thriving in the spotlight: her small clinic surpasses every government requirement, and its popularity has spiked, a sudden, rapid growth that leaves the DEP chief mystified. When he discovers Arianna's radical past as a supporter of an infamous scientist, he sends undercover agent Trent Rowe to investigate her for possible illegal activity.
As Trent is pulled into Arianna's enigmatic world, his own begins to unravel. The secret he finally uncovers will deeply move him, and jeopardize them both. With the clock ticking her life away, he finds himself questioning everything he knows to be true, and then must summon the courage to take the greatest risk of all. Nothing less than human life, and a major scientific breakthrough, hang in the balance.
A thought-provoking thriller by debut author Kira Peikoff, Living Proof is a celebration of love and life that cuts to the core of a major cultural debate of our time.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
March 12, 2020
Silent Proof is a medical thriller about one of the most polarising issues in modern medicine - stem cell research. I didn’t realise until I got to the end that I had read another more recent book by this author in a similar vein, Mother Know’s Best, although the format, writing style and evolution had evolved in that one. This is a provocative novel that made me angry, and that I would love to discuss, but I will be limiting some of my comments here as I don’t want to fall out with anyone. I do not recommend it to anyone who has strong religious convictions - see all the 1-star reviews to understand why.
Written in 2012 and set in New York 2027, the premise here felt plausible, as there are states in the USA that would willingly enact the legislation described. It’s almost a dystopian but I removed that label because it doesn’t really fit with others of that genre. It’s not my area of medicine but my understanding of the science is that what is described is certainly possible, if not already happening, or something close to it. Stem cell transplants are offered to MS patients in many countries with laxer regulations than ours, but the evidence that they work is still lacking.
Arianna Drake is a fertility specialist in a private clinic, who is secretly using spare embryos to research a stem cell treatment that will halt the rapidly progressive multiple sclerosis that threatens her life. All such research is illegal, and a government agency called the Department of Embryo Preservation, run by an ex-priest on a mission, Gideon Dopp, exists to save all embryos regardless of their possible future. The DEP have powers to enter and inspect any fertility clinic, prosecute any found to have embryos missing, and charge doctors with first degree murder if suspected of destroying them, regardless of viability. A related agency supervises all pregnancies and can charge a woman for drinking alcohol or not taking her vitamins.
Under threat of a budget cut, so desperate for a high profile arrest to validate the existence of his agency, Dopp is suspicious of Arianna’s clinic but unable to prove any wrongdoing, so sends young former journalist turned DEP agent Trent Rowe in under cover to get close to her and find the evidence of her guilt. Trent is already questioning his Catholic faith, and when he falls in love with Arianna, will do whatever it takes to protect her, as failure will cost her life.
The central theme of this book is the completely preposterous but unfortunately widely held belief that a cluster of cells is fundamentally equivalent to an existing human life. Obsession with upholding this delusion at all costs is what drives Dopp - in fact at one point he muses that an embryo is more important than an adult because it is without sin. This kind of thinking is what angers me so much about fundamentalist Christian thinking and the so called “Right to Life” movement - they stop caring about the baby as soon as it is born - and they certainly don’t want to pay for it’s life. So millions of children are born into poverty in the richest country in the world, and even more millions die in developing countries from preventable disease and starvation because of this sick and twisted ideology. OK rant over.
The world-building and character development here were superb, even for the “baddie” as we see events from four main POVs, and the actions of all felt believable. Dopp and his cronies’ - including Trent’s parents, hypocrisy made my skin crawl, but that’s a sign of a powerful if not enjoyable book.
Unfortunately the ending was a letdown - I intensely dislike open endings and thought maybe there would be a sequel but there’s no sign of this. After so much detailed build-up, I felt cheated of a proper resolution, but am not going to downgrade my rating for this as the book is definitely worth a read for those interested in this area of science.
Written in 2012 and set in New York 2027, the premise here felt plausible, as there are states in the USA that would willingly enact the legislation described. It’s almost a dystopian but I removed that label because it doesn’t really fit with others of that genre. It’s not my area of medicine but my understanding of the science is that what is described is certainly possible, if not already happening, or something close to it. Stem cell transplants are offered to MS patients in many countries with laxer regulations than ours, but the evidence that they work is still lacking.
Arianna Drake is a fertility specialist in a private clinic, who is secretly using spare embryos to research a stem cell treatment that will halt the rapidly progressive multiple sclerosis that threatens her life. All such research is illegal, and a government agency called the Department of Embryo Preservation, run by an ex-priest on a mission, Gideon Dopp, exists to save all embryos regardless of their possible future. The DEP have powers to enter and inspect any fertility clinic, prosecute any found to have embryos missing, and charge doctors with first degree murder if suspected of destroying them, regardless of viability. A related agency supervises all pregnancies and can charge a woman for drinking alcohol or not taking her vitamins.
Under threat of a budget cut, so desperate for a high profile arrest to validate the existence of his agency, Dopp is suspicious of Arianna’s clinic but unable to prove any wrongdoing, so sends young former journalist turned DEP agent Trent Rowe in under cover to get close to her and find the evidence of her guilt. Trent is already questioning his Catholic faith, and when he falls in love with Arianna, will do whatever it takes to protect her, as failure will cost her life.
The central theme of this book is the completely preposterous but unfortunately widely held belief that a cluster of cells is fundamentally equivalent to an existing human life. Obsession with upholding this delusion at all costs is what drives Dopp - in fact at one point he muses that an embryo is more important than an adult because it is without sin. This kind of thinking is what angers me so much about fundamentalist Christian thinking and the so called “Right to Life” movement - they stop caring about the baby as soon as it is born - and they certainly don’t want to pay for it’s life. So millions of children are born into poverty in the richest country in the world, and even more millions die in developing countries from preventable disease and starvation because of this sick and twisted ideology. OK rant over.
The world-building and character development here were superb, even for the “baddie” as we see events from four main POVs, and the actions of all felt believable. Dopp and his cronies’ - including Trent’s parents, hypocrisy made my skin crawl, but that’s a sign of a powerful if not enjoyable book.
Unfortunately the ending was a letdown - I intensely dislike open endings and thought maybe there would be a sequel but there’s no sign of this. After so much detailed build-up, I felt cheated of a proper resolution, but am not going to downgrade my rating for this as the book is definitely worth a read for those interested in this area of science.
August 29, 2012
As I am thoroughly familiar with the works of Ayn Rand (philosophical and fiction-wise), as well as Peikoff's writings on Objectivism I was more than eager to read this debut from Kira Peikoff, the daughter.
Ayn Rand is a tough act to follow: Period. I consider The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged two of the best if not the best novels ever written. Not just from a specific reading pleasure perspective, but the books' life changing aspects. The books engage the mind, fully, in a way no other books I've ever read do. The idea that Rand, in order to be a fiction writer (which is what she considers herself to be) would create an entire philosophy in order to fully understand her heroes she was to write about is simply mind boggling. Not to mention that the philosophy is objective, sound and to my mind indisputable (yes, I'm sure there are those that'll disagree).
So what about Ms. Peikoff's work? The subject is unique. The message clear, a warning to the consequences of today's political, ethical and medical practices if they are allowed to continue. Everything in the book is relevant to the story, no asides that have no relevance which I loved. Too many authors deviate from the plot in order to bring in irrelevant material (perhaps for the sake of their own writing pleasure).
The plot is clear-cut and engaging. Ms. Peikoff is a young author and perhaps the prose, stylistically, must mature (she is working on her second novel and some short stories). The dialogue is perhaps a bit stilted here and there...but still I read through the whole thing in a few sittings, very engaged in the book's plot-theme.
I look forward to Ms. Peikoff's next book...hopefully out soon.
Ayn Rand is a tough act to follow: Period. I consider The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged two of the best if not the best novels ever written. Not just from a specific reading pleasure perspective, but the books' life changing aspects. The books engage the mind, fully, in a way no other books I've ever read do. The idea that Rand, in order to be a fiction writer (which is what she considers herself to be) would create an entire philosophy in order to fully understand her heroes she was to write about is simply mind boggling. Not to mention that the philosophy is objective, sound and to my mind indisputable (yes, I'm sure there are those that'll disagree).
So what about Ms. Peikoff's work? The subject is unique. The message clear, a warning to the consequences of today's political, ethical and medical practices if they are allowed to continue. Everything in the book is relevant to the story, no asides that have no relevance which I loved. Too many authors deviate from the plot in order to bring in irrelevant material (perhaps for the sake of their own writing pleasure).
The plot is clear-cut and engaging. Ms. Peikoff is a young author and perhaps the prose, stylistically, must mature (she is working on her second novel and some short stories). The dialogue is perhaps a bit stilted here and there...but still I read through the whole thing in a few sittings, very engaged in the book's plot-theme.
I look forward to Ms. Peikoff's next book...hopefully out soon.
December 16, 2011
This book of suspense cannot be classified only under that one category. In fact, while the setting of this novel is the year 2027, the author has taken serious cultural debates from our present-day society and blended them into a tale that’s not very fantastical, since we're not far off from bringing this extremely frightening story to life.
In 2027, there is a clinic in New York City operated by Dr. Arianna Drake, Dr. Gavin Ericson, and his wife Emily. This is a fertility clinic that offers the wonderful dream of family to infertile couples. In this futuristic day and age, fertility clinics have to pass inspections made by the U.S. Department of Embryo Preservation (DEP). These inspections are ‘surprise visits’ and one of the most rigid rules is that it is considered first degree murder if any developed embryo is destroyed, and if the clinic fails an inspection they will be prosecuted.
The clinic has excelled and they are making a wonderful reputation for themselves. Unfortunately in Dr. Drake’s past, she was an advocate of what the DEP considered to be a notorious scientist with a bad reputation who stated in print, that the DEP, “is dragging America back to the Middle Ages.” So, the DEP Chief sends in an undercover agent, Trent Rowe, to investigate Dr. Drake.
As Rowe investigates, he starts questioning his own faith in the project and his investigation begins to fall apart. Between dealing with his own beliefs and the truth, Trent’s life, loyalties, and love seem to be headed in three different directions, causing him to question everything that he once had faith in.
This is a story of love and life, although supremely scary in certain areas. For a debut novel this author has certainly chosen a ‘touchy’ subject to write about, and will find legions of fans that will admire her ‘moxie’ and look forward to her second novel. For anyone interested in a writer who cuts to the chase over a highly difficult subject, this is the book for you.
Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “Tallent & Lowery - 13” for Suspense Magazine
In 2027, there is a clinic in New York City operated by Dr. Arianna Drake, Dr. Gavin Ericson, and his wife Emily. This is a fertility clinic that offers the wonderful dream of family to infertile couples. In this futuristic day and age, fertility clinics have to pass inspections made by the U.S. Department of Embryo Preservation (DEP). These inspections are ‘surprise visits’ and one of the most rigid rules is that it is considered first degree murder if any developed embryo is destroyed, and if the clinic fails an inspection they will be prosecuted.
The clinic has excelled and they are making a wonderful reputation for themselves. Unfortunately in Dr. Drake’s past, she was an advocate of what the DEP considered to be a notorious scientist with a bad reputation who stated in print, that the DEP, “is dragging America back to the Middle Ages.” So, the DEP Chief sends in an undercover agent, Trent Rowe, to investigate Dr. Drake.
As Rowe investigates, he starts questioning his own faith in the project and his investigation begins to fall apart. Between dealing with his own beliefs and the truth, Trent’s life, loyalties, and love seem to be headed in three different directions, causing him to question everything that he once had faith in.
This is a story of love and life, although supremely scary in certain areas. For a debut novel this author has certainly chosen a ‘touchy’ subject to write about, and will find legions of fans that will admire her ‘moxie’ and look forward to her second novel. For anyone interested in a writer who cuts to the chase over a highly difficult subject, this is the book for you.
Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “Tallent & Lowery - 13” for Suspense Magazine
May 25, 2012
In the mid-to-late 2020s, religion and US government are almost inseparable. In this right-wing conservative Christian society, the Department of Embryonic Preservation ensures that all embryos are accounted for. Dr Arianna Drake's practice consistently records a high number of embryos, and the DEP head is suspicious. Thus he enlists underling Trent Rowe to worm self into Arianna's good books to learn her secrets.
Turns out the embryos are being cloned for their stem cells to create a cure for Arianna's multiple sclerosis. Or something like that. Trent was already having a crisis of faith, but now he's sure that science is the real truth and should not be hindered.
The science is interesting, of course, though the hiding-from-the-government aspect is nothing fresh. Still, the East Village is a great setting. Other parts of New York are way overused in fiction, but I previously only knew Washington Square Park and its surroundings via Francine Pascal's Fearless series. (Aye, I'm showing my age.)
Basically, Living Proof favours plot over character. No one seems to have a sense of humour. Yeah, it's serious business, but finding the funny keeps you from going off and makes you more likable. And Arianna's a bit of a Special Snowflake with her "unusual" blue eyes.
However, Dr Sam Lisio is the one character who really works well. He's been in love with Arianna for years, and finally summons up the courage to tell her, only to discover that she's already in love with someone else - someone whose job assignment is for Arianna to trust him. Nice guys finish last? Nice guys finish dead.
To quote a favourite TV character, this novel is "okay, not great".
Turns out the embryos are being cloned for their stem cells to create a cure for Arianna's multiple sclerosis. Or something like that. Trent was already having a crisis of faith, but now he's sure that science is the real truth and should not be hindered.
The science is interesting, of course, though the hiding-from-the-government aspect is nothing fresh. Still, the East Village is a great setting. Other parts of New York are way overused in fiction, but I previously only knew Washington Square Park and its surroundings via Francine Pascal's Fearless series. (Aye, I'm showing my age.)
Basically, Living Proof favours plot over character. No one seems to have a sense of humour. Yeah, it's serious business, but finding the funny keeps you from going off and makes you more likable. And Arianna's a bit of a Special Snowflake with her "unusual" blue eyes.
However, Dr Sam Lisio is the one character who really works well. He's been in love with Arianna for years, and finally summons up the courage to tell her, only to discover that she's already in love with someone else - someone whose job assignment is for Arianna to trust him. Nice guys finish last? Nice guys finish dead.
To quote a favourite TV character, this novel is "okay, not great".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2012
I am vascillating between 1 and 2 stars. I didn't hate the book. I felt like the Author has an agenda. The writing was OK, but I never really cared for any of the characters-very shallow. The story is really about the debate between science vs. religion and specifically focuses on stem cell research and throws in the abortion issue as well. It is obvious the author is pro stem cell research and anti religion. I was disappointed that the characters represented only the far, far left and far far right; there is a whole lot of distance between those two points of view and there really never was a good debate in the writing- just the obvious. The "religious" side was represented by a fanatical, immoral zealot, and portrayed all religious people as being brainwashed- not really accurate. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone except people that want to fuel their fire.
August 26, 2012
I had a seriously hard time believing that a woman smart and savvy enough to maintain an illegal science lab in a seriously oppressive society would fall so easily into the hands of an apathetic spy. I was so annoyed with her that I gave up reading despite a niggling interest in knowing the outcome of the story.
March 8, 2012
Disappointing. After reading the blurb, I thought this was going to be a fast paced medical thriller. Instead it was an entire book devoted to the debate over abotion rights and embryonic stem cell research. Religion vs. science.
December 22, 2011
"Living Proof" presents a not-to-distant, and believable, world in which Christian fundamentalists have influenced government policy and created a new dark ages in science--specifically with respect to pregnancy and embryonic stem cell research. There are government agencies that subject each pregnant woman to rights-violating control in order to dictate what she does to her body, treating her like a slave because she is carrying a fetus that has more rights than she.
Fertility clinics are subjected to searches without warrant, and doctors face first degree murder charges if they fail to preserve embryos properly. There is a total ban on embryonic stem cell research, preventing the discovery of life saving procedures. The Christian notion of cell masses having a soul--the premise of the "right to life" movement--has created a terrifying police state.
The story creates a stark reality: this supposedly love-driven desire to be "pro-life" is actually a freedom and life-destroying movement, a modern day Inquisition, and the enforcers are just as evil. If you are sympathetic to this view, you'll really enjoy how this story concretizes what such a world would be like. If you are "pro-life" or sympathetic to that position, hopefully you'll have enough honesty to contemplate the logical implications presented in this story.
The novel has a tight plot: a life-and-death race against time, both as character Dr. Arianna Drake and colleagues try to save her from a terminal disease, and the police state hell-bent on imprisoning them. The conflict is with a man torn between his religious precepts and commitment to the law, versus his love and desire to help save the doctor's life.
Despite its serious subject matter and ideological ramifications, and it being steeped in reproductive and stem cell science, it's fast-paced and easy reading: it can definitely be enjoyed on the beach, as I did. It takes skill to pull off a balance between thought-provoking ideas and pleasure reading, and I think it's very impressive, especially considering this is Kira Peikoff's first novel. I look forward to her future works.
Fertility clinics are subjected to searches without warrant, and doctors face first degree murder charges if they fail to preserve embryos properly. There is a total ban on embryonic stem cell research, preventing the discovery of life saving procedures. The Christian notion of cell masses having a soul--the premise of the "right to life" movement--has created a terrifying police state.
The story creates a stark reality: this supposedly love-driven desire to be "pro-life" is actually a freedom and life-destroying movement, a modern day Inquisition, and the enforcers are just as evil. If you are sympathetic to this view, you'll really enjoy how this story concretizes what such a world would be like. If you are "pro-life" or sympathetic to that position, hopefully you'll have enough honesty to contemplate the logical implications presented in this story.
The novel has a tight plot: a life-and-death race against time, both as character Dr. Arianna Drake and colleagues try to save her from a terminal disease, and the police state hell-bent on imprisoning them. The conflict is with a man torn between his religious precepts and commitment to the law, versus his love and desire to help save the doctor's life.
Despite its serious subject matter and ideological ramifications, and it being steeped in reproductive and stem cell science, it's fast-paced and easy reading: it can definitely be enjoyed on the beach, as I did. It takes skill to pull off a balance between thought-provoking ideas and pleasure reading, and I think it's very impressive, especially considering this is Kira Peikoff's first novel. I look forward to her future works.
January 29, 2015
Reading a book with heros I could actually (kind of) agree with was like a breath of fresh air, so, four stars. The book is easy to read, well-plotted, well-researched, and intelligent. This is Perikoff's first book and she is only in her mid-twenties, for that, she could well deserve another star.
The conversion of Trent from Catholic to Athiest didn't work for me--didn't feel realistic. Realizing something on a rational level does not instantly change our subconscious emotional programming. It takes decades of work in the field of self-awareness to change old emotional habits. I strongly disliked Arianna's reaction to finding out who Trent really was--rational people don't run from problems, they confront them, they want to discuss, want to know, understand. The other issue I had with this book is that Kira (perhaps trying to follow Rand's advice in her book about writing good fiction) has the hero fall in love with her greatest enemy--this creates the most drama but it was just too unbelievable for me. I think it works fine for villains to mysteriously fall in love with their enemies (Hugo's priests falling for harlots) but Galt doesn't fall for Lillian Redrawn. Arianna can't possibly worship Trent! How could she reciprocate? I don't see what she sees in him.
I was disappointed that, like Rand's characters, Peikoff's are not whole people who feel both joy and pain. More Objectivist heroes who seem repressed and unreal. There was also a line thrown in this book about the heroine being very masculine which made me wonder if Kira buys into Rand's strange ideas about women that have never made sense to me--if reason is man's tool of survival and brute force is not his tool of survival, man's superior physical strength makes him no more fit to deal with the natural world than women since it is not physical strength, but our minds, that equips us to deal with nature.
The conversion of Trent from Catholic to Athiest didn't work for me--didn't feel realistic. Realizing something on a rational level does not instantly change our subconscious emotional programming. It takes decades of work in the field of self-awareness to change old emotional habits. I strongly disliked Arianna's reaction to finding out who Trent really was--rational people don't run from problems, they confront them, they want to discuss, want to know, understand. The other issue I had with this book is that Kira (perhaps trying to follow Rand's advice in her book about writing good fiction) has the hero fall in love with her greatest enemy--this creates the most drama but it was just too unbelievable for me. I think it works fine for villains to mysteriously fall in love with their enemies (Hugo's priests falling for harlots) but Galt doesn't fall for Lillian Redrawn. Arianna can't possibly worship Trent! How could she reciprocate? I don't see what she sees in him.
I was disappointed that, like Rand's characters, Peikoff's are not whole people who feel both joy and pain. More Objectivist heroes who seem repressed and unreal. There was also a line thrown in this book about the heroine being very masculine which made me wonder if Kira buys into Rand's strange ideas about women that have never made sense to me--if reason is man's tool of survival and brute force is not his tool of survival, man's superior physical strength makes him no more fit to deal with the natural world than women since it is not physical strength, but our minds, that equips us to deal with nature.
May 11, 2012
Living Proof is one of the books I've enjoyed most in the last few years. I think the best way to understand it is as a modern and popularly consumable literary novel. It has well-constructed plot and theme. Characterization is pretty tight. Its form should be generally appealing to an American audience, and yet has a shining sense of life extremely rare to find in modern books. It is a fast-moving page-turner that makes you laugh and cry, and leaves you just a little in love with the heroine.
Trying to peg it as a modern genre novel is a challenge. It vaguely fits somewhere in the thriller / suspense genre, but that isn't really what makes it attractive. You can think of it as near-term hard sci fi, but good books in that genre typically push most aspects of life forward speculatively and focus on that, while Living Proof selects the narrow topic of stem cell research and tech emerging from it and stretches it just a little, and one societal trend, the growth of power of religious control and watches them clash in an interesting fashion. Otherwise, though set in 2027, everything stays startlingly static. For example, phones are identical today's tech, and phone tapping, essential to the plot, moves backwards slightly. Despite the date, I read it as more "outside of time." In these respects, it strongly reminds me of Michael Crichton's formula where he picks one small thing to change by stretching modern tech just a little and then watches extreme situations emerge from it providing a backdrop for thrilling character interactions. That describes the vast majority of Crichton books and Living Proof as well.
Living Proof has everything that I'd want in a book. It was fun and easy to read. It has an inspiring character. It has a powerful theme. I would recommend it to anyone.
Trying to peg it as a modern genre novel is a challenge. It vaguely fits somewhere in the thriller / suspense genre, but that isn't really what makes it attractive. You can think of it as near-term hard sci fi, but good books in that genre typically push most aspects of life forward speculatively and focus on that, while Living Proof selects the narrow topic of stem cell research and tech emerging from it and stretches it just a little, and one societal trend, the growth of power of religious control and watches them clash in an interesting fashion. Otherwise, though set in 2027, everything stays startlingly static. For example, phones are identical today's tech, and phone tapping, essential to the plot, moves backwards slightly. Despite the date, I read it as more "outside of time." In these respects, it strongly reminds me of Michael Crichton's formula where he picks one small thing to change by stretching modern tech just a little and then watches extreme situations emerge from it providing a backdrop for thrilling character interactions. That describes the vast majority of Crichton books and Living Proof as well.
Living Proof has everything that I'd want in a book. It was fun and easy to read. It has an inspiring character. It has a powerful theme. I would recommend it to anyone.
March 4, 2012
This story is extraordinarily engaging and compelling. It takes an issue (embryonic stem cell research & treatments) that is often the subject of theoretical political debate, and brings the issue to life with a dramatic plot that expands in detail on the dictatorial government actions that would follow in practice from a formal, legal codification of the principle that life begins at conception. The political system of the year 2027 is a kind of theocratic fascism, in which the events of the plot unfold.
One sees the senseless persecution of characters who are subject to the cruel oppression of government agencies such as the Department of Embryo Protection (DEP) and the Department of Embryo and Fetus Protection (DEFP). The reader becomes enraged upon seeing the blind fanaticism of the devout government agents who act to protect embryos -- five day old clusters of undifferentiated cells that merely have the *potential* to become people -- at the expense of threatening to destroy the lives of *actual* people such as the heroine, Arianna Drake, who desperately fights to save her own life as the villainous Agent Dopp of the DEP fights with equal fervor to prevent her from doing so.
Ms. Peikoff shows us, through the logical unfolding of events, the deadly senselessness of an irrational mystic creed imposed by force on man, who by his nature must depend on reason to survive. She also shows us an inspiring picture of the heroism and unyielding persuit of values that rational men (and women) are capable of. And she does this while telling a damn good story with a well integrated plot and interesting characters. I'm now a Kira Peikoff fan and I can't wait to read her next book.
One sees the senseless persecution of characters who are subject to the cruel oppression of government agencies such as the Department of Embryo Protection (DEP) and the Department of Embryo and Fetus Protection (DEFP). The reader becomes enraged upon seeing the blind fanaticism of the devout government agents who act to protect embryos -- five day old clusters of undifferentiated cells that merely have the *potential* to become people -- at the expense of threatening to destroy the lives of *actual* people such as the heroine, Arianna Drake, who desperately fights to save her own life as the villainous Agent Dopp of the DEP fights with equal fervor to prevent her from doing so.
Ms. Peikoff shows us, through the logical unfolding of events, the deadly senselessness of an irrational mystic creed imposed by force on man, who by his nature must depend on reason to survive. She also shows us an inspiring picture of the heroism and unyielding persuit of values that rational men (and women) are capable of. And she does this while telling a damn good story with a well integrated plot and interesting characters. I'm now a Kira Peikoff fan and I can't wait to read her next book.
March 2, 2012
After reading "Living Proof," it's clear debut author Kira Peikoff has no fear of jumping into controversy. Peikoff's book is a well-written and compelling thriller that boldly examines some of the most contentious medical, legal and philosophical issues confronting us today. Arianna Drake, a brilliant young doctor specializing in infertility treatment, runs a clinic that attracts unwanted and potentially catastrophic scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Embryo Preservation. Trent Rowe, the DEP agent tasked to gather evidence sufficient to shut down Drake's clinic and end her career with imprisonment, instead finds himself allured by Drake despite her past radicalism, and the illness that threatens to take her life very soon. The more Rowe learns about Drake's life and her illegal but miraculous work, the less sure he is of things he took for granted before meeting her. With lives and an unprecedented medical breakthrough on the line, Drake and Rowe find themselves racing time and facing danger, ruin and death against the backdrop of one of today's prevalent sociocultural conflicts. The story's set 15 years from now, but Peikoff's plot could spring from fiction to fact far sooner than that.
July 26, 2016
Living Proof is not only a book that will keep your attention and have you staying up half the night. It's also a very important and timely book, due to the ongoing debates on embryonic stem cell research. Living Proof makes the moral case for why this research is desperately needed, and why the government and religious communities have no right to stop it. Not only that, but it also presents the other side of the debate in a fair and accurate way. It gives a picture of what our world could be, in the near future, if we do not stand up for our right to have this important research done to save and improve millions of lives; because the people who would stop it in this book, are out there right now, doing everything they can to undermine it based on their religious convictions. But aside from having a great moral message, Living Proof also has engaging and interesting characters and a strong plot, and you'll always want to know what will happen next. Do yourself a favor and read this book, and then pass it along to relatives and friends (or buy them a copy). You won't be sorry.
October 15, 2015
I went in to this book hoping for a good story - the set up sounds great, and I love dystopian-type novels. I wanted to like this book...but I just couldn't look past the blatant agenda of Kira Peikoff. Peikoff is clearly in favor of a woman's right to chose and stem cell research, and I am with her there, but then she juxtaposes science with religion in a way that argues they are incompatible. As a religious person who also supports a woman's right to chose what to do with her body and scientific research, I was incredibly put off by the reductionist approach of Peikoff. It was a shame, because I appreciated the way Peikoff wrote her characters, particularly Trent, until he too became a pawn in the larger argument against religion.
Not recommended, but if you do choose to read it be warned.
Not recommended, but if you do choose to read it be warned.
August 2, 2012
This is not a book I would pay for. Premise is interesting – set about 15 years in the future, there is a government ban on stem cell research and a police force to back it up. However, the promise of the premise is never fulfilled. A priest who left the church for love, cliché, is now the zealous head of that police force and trying to atone for leaving the church, cliché. The plucky brave researchers, cliché, defy the ban to save one of their own from MS, ad nauseum. The only interesting point, only hinted, is the pre-natal care mandated by the state to make sure each embryo becomes a full-term baby, leading to things like a fine for one glass of champagne. The story shows the danger of zealots but all in all, pretty formulaic. Pretty disappointed. Received free copy for review.
January 1, 2012
This book is amazing. I loved the plot. A doctor has a degenerative disease which can only be cured with embryonic cells. Which, by the way, is illegal to test with. Then there is the detective sent out to spy to find out if the good doctor is doing bad things, but he ends up falling in love. Then there is the scientist who is in love with the doctor also but cannot tell her because she thinks of him as her father. OMGosh. Great book, stayed up late into the night reading. Definite recommend. Thank you for sharing.
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March 10, 2012Poorly written, stilted dialog. Advance publicity led me to believe that the author was "the next Ayn Rand". Not even close. Her story was less Rand than George Orwell. I could not suspend disbelief to accept that her protagonist would behave in such a reckless manner as to allow herself to become vulnerable to the advances of the "enemy." Saccharin, unbelievable and unsatisfying ending. A total waste of time. NO STARS!!!!!!!!!!
July 11, 2012
My neighborhood book club won 12 beautiful copies of this book. In the interest of gratitude and adventure we read it. We all found it a quick and easy read, but that was the best we could say about it. The characters were flat, the narrative void of color and the plot dictated by a leftist agenda. We did enjoy an interesting and respectful interview with the author and had a great bookclub discussion.
September 13, 2021
This is a hard book to review. I was drawn in with the premise but got bored with the pacing and the repetitive nature of the story. It's 2027 (this book was published in 2012) and the US Government has laws in place that criminalize the destruction of ANY human embryo for any reason. There are entire government departments tasked with monitoring fertility clinics monthly and fining doctors for any error in numbers reported. There is also an agency that requires every woman to register and then have regular check-ins with the department to make sure they are taking vitamins, eating healthy etc... because if your child is born with any health issues or if you miscarry, and they determine that something in your behavior during pregnancy was a result of that - you as the woman carrying the child can get charged with Manslaughter!! WTAF!!
So yeah... giving the fact that recent laws threatening to once again take away a woman's right to make decisions regarding her own body, I thought this books was perfect to just get me even more fired up. But really it ended up being more about a man's internal battle with the faith he raised in and the beliefs ingrained in him when faced with scientific evidence that said something much different.
I don't have that battle of faith. So while I found that storyline interesting, it just got a little repetitive after awhile. It's an interesting premise, and I am sure there are a lot of people who would enjoy this, but for me it was just a 3 star read.
So yeah... giving the fact that recent laws threatening to once again take away a woman's right to make decisions regarding her own body, I thought this books was perfect to just get me even more fired up. But really it ended up being more about a man's internal battle with the faith he raised in and the beliefs ingrained in him when faced with scientific evidence that said something much different.
I don't have that battle of faith. So while I found that storyline interesting, it just got a little repetitive after awhile. It's an interesting premise, and I am sure there are a lot of people who would enjoy this, but for me it was just a 3 star read.
November 7, 2025
This book went on entirely too long. At about halfway, could have wrapped it up. Also, I don't know who is calling this a thriller. Maybe there's too many POVs because I don't care about any of these main characters. I think because real life isn't far fetched from this currently (book was written in 2012 and takes place in 2027 future), it's hard to find any of this shocking like was probably the case even a few years ago.
Religion overtakes the concept of "when does life begin" in the government and essentially shuts down any stem cell research and monitors pregnancy as well as IVF and clinics. Literal pregnancy police, though they're called something else.
I do highly recommend this author's other book Baby X, though.
Read by Mia Barron. #booksin25
Religion overtakes the concept of "when does life begin" in the government and essentially shuts down any stem cell research and monitors pregnancy as well as IVF and clinics. Literal pregnancy police, though they're called something else.
I do highly recommend this author's other book Baby X, though.
Read by Mia Barron. #booksin25
July 23, 2012
An suspenseful book, set in the near future, where not only is abortion illegal, so is taking inadequate care of yourself/baby when you are pregnant, and let's not even get started with genetic research. In fact, our protagonist, a physician at a fertility clinic, is indeed taking "extra" genetic material and supplying it to a lab doing genetic research. But it is ok, as she has MS (an unrealistically extremely fast-acting one that puts her in a wheelchair within 3 months) and the team is helping her find the cure she desperately needs.
The plot is complicated by a formerly religious undercover investigator who falls for said physician. Rat her out to the boss or help her and possibly save her life?
Theological discourse, when it appeared, was shallow and unconvincing. Nonetheless an entertaining enough read.
The plot is complicated by a formerly religious undercover investigator who falls for said physician. Rat her out to the boss or help her and possibly save her life?
Theological discourse, when it appeared, was shallow and unconvincing. Nonetheless an entertaining enough read.
February 15, 2013
BEWARE OF SPOILERS. I DON'T HIDE OR PROMOTE MY REVIEWS.
This novel -- with fairly shallow characters and an implausible plot -- is a pro-choice screed.
By implausible plot I mean the heroine falls in love with a guy who embodies the opposite of her own beliefs. She's pro-choice, with an illness that may be arrested with stem-cell therapy. He's pro-life.
He neatly drops his religious faith as he falls in love with her. She neatly falls in love with him after he's tracked and documented her transgressions as an agent for an embryo-protection government body in a "future U.S.A.," where destruction of embryos for medical research or treatment is outlawed.
This novel -- with fairly shallow characters and an implausible plot -- is a pro-choice screed.
By implausible plot I mean the heroine falls in love with a guy who embodies the opposite of her own beliefs. She's pro-choice, with an illness that may be arrested with stem-cell therapy. He's pro-life.
He neatly drops his religious faith as he falls in love with her. She neatly falls in love with him after he's tracked and documented her transgressions as an agent for an embryo-protection government body in a "future U.S.A.," where destruction of embryos for medical research or treatment is outlawed.
April 9, 2012
The protagonist is a victim of multiple sclerosis. It appears that stem cell therapy could save her life.
But the year is 2027. The use of stem cells is illegal, as is any destruction of fertilized human eggs-including, of course, abortion.
This is an excellent first novel. Stylistically, the author is still finding herself. The similes range from truly original to flaccid and cliched. And she is sometimes didactic. But none of that ended up mattering-the story is intelligent in conception and excitingly told. I look forward to future work.
But the year is 2027. The use of stem cells is illegal, as is any destruction of fertilized human eggs-including, of course, abortion.
This is an excellent first novel. Stylistically, the author is still finding herself. The similes range from truly original to flaccid and cliched. And she is sometimes didactic. But none of that ended up mattering-the story is intelligent in conception and excitingly told. I look forward to future work.
April 15, 2012
This could've been so much better if it hadn't gotten so bogged down about two thirds of the way in... but it's still a decent futuristic thriller that deals with some very relevant contemporary issues.
April 17, 2012
this book totally creeped me out. It was good. But all I could think of is that this is our future if someone like Rick Santorum would ever become president.
February 13, 2013
I posted this review on Amazon:
Aya Katz's Review of Living Proof by Kira Peikoff
Aya Katz's Review of Living Proof by Kira Peikoff
May 4, 2019
THOUGHT-PROVOKING. SCIENCE VS. RELIGION. ETHICS VS MORALITY. DYSTOPIAN..
Set in the year 2027, this philosophical-based thriller will be either loved or hated depending on the mindset of the reader. It pits fundamental religious people against scientists during a time in the not-so-distant future (and with the judicial decisions and state legislation that are going on right now, it may be more realistic and scarier than when it was first published).
In 2027, abortions have become illegal, fertility clinics are monitored to account for every embryo, loss of an embryo is first-degree murder, and pregnant women are monitored as well for any infraction that may affect the unborn child, and science is basically outlawed.
One such fertility clinic in New York City is doing extraordinarily well: lots of embryos are overseen by Dr. Arianna Drake. Despite perfect monthly inspections by the agents of DEP (United States Department of Embryo Preservation), the director's intuition tells him something nefarious is going on. He sends out Trent Rowe to go undercover to find out what it is.
As Trent meets Arianna and gets to know her, and she, him...trust is built (on lies), but once he knows her secret, will he turn her in? Or will he be changed?
Suspenseful and frightening, complex and riveting, the debut novel will entertain as well as make the reader think no matter what side of the fence he or she is on.
I have to admit that I have had this on my bookshelf to read for several years. Knowing that Kira Peikoff's father is the heir of Ayn Rand's estate (and one of her disciples of her philosophy Objectivism), I kept putting off reading the novel as I was worried that I might be disappointed. Not only wasn't I disappointed, but found that the author has a strong voice as well. Looking forward to reading her other novels as she is a worthy successor to the writings of Rand.
Quotes of interest:
"When does a potential human being become an actual human being who possesses the right to life? The issue is not when a life begins--but when does a potential become an actual? An acorn is alive, but far from the equivalent of an oak tree. It's clear that an embryo, which is no bigger than a grain of sand, is only a cluster of undifferentiated cells that have the potential to grow into a human being. But saying an acorn is the same as a tree is as ridiculous as saying a cell cluster has rights. The potential is actualized only when a baby is born and becomes an independently existing human being." (page 205)
"...because I think a pregnant woman should be able to decide the fate of the cells within her own body. The religious right wing, far from being pro-life as they claim, would prefer a woman to sacrifice her life to an embryo within her, even if it threatens her health to give birth. They are the same people who would prefer me to die, rather than research cell clusters for a cure. I am pro-life, in the real sense of the term... Human life IS sacred, not because of a supernatural infusion, but because of our unique capacity of our minds to reason--to think, to love, to create." (page 206)
Set in the year 2027, this philosophical-based thriller will be either loved or hated depending on the mindset of the reader. It pits fundamental religious people against scientists during a time in the not-so-distant future (and with the judicial decisions and state legislation that are going on right now, it may be more realistic and scarier than when it was first published).
In 2027, abortions have become illegal, fertility clinics are monitored to account for every embryo, loss of an embryo is first-degree murder, and pregnant women are monitored as well for any infraction that may affect the unborn child, and science is basically outlawed.
One such fertility clinic in New York City is doing extraordinarily well: lots of embryos are overseen by Dr. Arianna Drake. Despite perfect monthly inspections by the agents of DEP (United States Department of Embryo Preservation), the director's intuition tells him something nefarious is going on. He sends out Trent Rowe to go undercover to find out what it is.
As Trent meets Arianna and gets to know her, and she, him...trust is built (on lies), but once he knows her secret, will he turn her in? Or will he be changed?
Suspenseful and frightening, complex and riveting, the debut novel will entertain as well as make the reader think no matter what side of the fence he or she is on.
I have to admit that I have had this on my bookshelf to read for several years. Knowing that Kira Peikoff's father is the heir of Ayn Rand's estate (and one of her disciples of her philosophy Objectivism), I kept putting off reading the novel as I was worried that I might be disappointed. Not only wasn't I disappointed, but found that the author has a strong voice as well. Looking forward to reading her other novels as she is a worthy successor to the writings of Rand.
Quotes of interest:
"When does a potential human being become an actual human being who possesses the right to life? The issue is not when a life begins--but when does a potential become an actual? An acorn is alive, but far from the equivalent of an oak tree. It's clear that an embryo, which is no bigger than a grain of sand, is only a cluster of undifferentiated cells that have the potential to grow into a human being. But saying an acorn is the same as a tree is as ridiculous as saying a cell cluster has rights. The potential is actualized only when a baby is born and becomes an independently existing human being." (page 205)
"...because I think a pregnant woman should be able to decide the fate of the cells within her own body. The religious right wing, far from being pro-life as they claim, would prefer a woman to sacrifice her life to an embryo within her, even if it threatens her health to give birth. They are the same people who would prefer me to die, rather than research cell clusters for a cure. I am pro-life, in the real sense of the term... Human life IS sacred, not because of a supernatural infusion, but because of our unique capacity of our minds to reason--to think, to love, to create." (page 206)
April 29, 2024
When this book came out, I was still reeling from the end of my first marriage in which my spouse was cheating with many, many different people the entire time I was going through grueling IVF cycles and 2 pregnancy losses. I wasn’t ready for it then.
Now, I’m in my mid-40s and going through many failed cycles of IVF again, but this time with a husband who is a true, wonderful partner - BUT… what’s going on in America with reproductive health and the treatment of women is terrifying.
This book was written in our past, about the future, and I wonder if Peikoff thinks about the “predictions” she made as the headlines about IVF and embryos clutter the news.
I dinged her a star simply because I don’t think Peikoff researched IVF techniques and practices quite enough before publishing. If you’ve been through infertility and reproductive endocrinology, you’ll likely have the same complaint. I understand she has a degree in Bioethics from a prestigious university, but tangential degrees do not all-encompassing-knowledge make.
A Reproductive Endocrinologist will almost certainly never call themselves a practicing “OB-Gyn,” because that isn’t their speciality. You will also almost certainly NEVER see visibly pregnant uterus-having people in a fertility clinic. By and large, pregnant IVF successes will “graduate” from the clinic between weeks 9 and 12, and be sent to their own practicing OB-Gyn.
I do appreciate that the wrap-up, although a bit predictable, didn’t have much finality. It has a bit of a “choose your own adventure” feel by the time the last words are read.
As we sit here, our adventures are being chosen FOR us by old white male lawmakers who have no knowledge of the science, and even less of a connection to the “God” in whose name they claim to serve. Low-key terrified one of them may get ahold of this speculative fiction and turn it into a reality of the DEP and DEFP.
Now, I’m in my mid-40s and going through many failed cycles of IVF again, but this time with a husband who is a true, wonderful partner - BUT… what’s going on in America with reproductive health and the treatment of women is terrifying.
This book was written in our past, about the future, and I wonder if Peikoff thinks about the “predictions” she made as the headlines about IVF and embryos clutter the news.
I dinged her a star simply because I don’t think Peikoff researched IVF techniques and practices quite enough before publishing. If you’ve been through infertility and reproductive endocrinology, you’ll likely have the same complaint. I understand she has a degree in Bioethics from a prestigious university, but tangential degrees do not all-encompassing-knowledge make.
A Reproductive Endocrinologist will almost certainly never call themselves a practicing “OB-Gyn,” because that isn’t their speciality. You will also almost certainly NEVER see visibly pregnant uterus-having people in a fertility clinic. By and large, pregnant IVF successes will “graduate” from the clinic between weeks 9 and 12, and be sent to their own practicing OB-Gyn.
I do appreciate that the wrap-up, although a bit predictable, didn’t have much finality. It has a bit of a “choose your own adventure” feel by the time the last words are read.
As we sit here, our adventures are being chosen FOR us by old white male lawmakers who have no knowledge of the science, and even less of a connection to the “God” in whose name they claim to serve. Low-key terrified one of them may get ahold of this speculative fiction and turn it into a reality of the DEP and DEFP.
April 20, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. I would say to keep an open mind while reading it as there is a lot to do with science versus religion while giving each a fair chance.
It's 2027 and stem cell research from embryos has been banned.To make sure fertility clinics are properly taking care of the embryos not used is the Department of Embryo Production. It is law that every embryo has a right to life at the moment of conception.
Arianna owns a fertility clinic and has to put up with Department of Embryo Protection (DEP) each month coming in and counting the embryos. Everything is in place and appears as it should.
But Arianna has reason to use the embryos and to be worried. Arianna has MS and has hopes for finding a cure. This includes cloning embryos for the DEP count and running a secret lab. All of which she can be charged for murder of she is caught.
The DEP is suspicious of Arianna's clinics high embryo numbers and so they put one of their agents, Trent, undercover to learn more about Adrianna by becoming he friend.
But what happens when Trent starts falling for the person he is supposed to get a confession from? Can he protect her and does he even want to as it goes against his religious upbringing?
This is a book of when faith, science , and love come together.
It's 2027 and stem cell research from embryos has been banned.To make sure fertility clinics are properly taking care of the embryos not used is the Department of Embryo Production. It is law that every embryo has a right to life at the moment of conception.
Arianna owns a fertility clinic and has to put up with Department of Embryo Protection (DEP) each month coming in and counting the embryos. Everything is in place and appears as it should.
But Arianna has reason to use the embryos and to be worried. Arianna has MS and has hopes for finding a cure. This includes cloning embryos for the DEP count and running a secret lab. All of which she can be charged for murder of she is caught.
The DEP is suspicious of Arianna's clinics high embryo numbers and so they put one of their agents, Trent, undercover to learn more about Adrianna by becoming he friend.
But what happens when Trent starts falling for the person he is supposed to get a confession from? Can he protect her and does he even want to as it goes against his religious upbringing?
This is a book of when faith, science , and love come together.
February 14, 2021
2027. Destroying embryos is considered first-degree murder. Fertility clinics have to pass rigorous inspections to prove that there are not any embryos missing.
Dr Adrianna Drake's clinic is doing remarkably well, never failing any of the monthly check-ups, but there has been a spike in the number of patients that use its services.
The United States Department of Embryo Preservation is convinced that Dr Drake is engaged in criminal activity. They send an undercover agent, Trent, to befriend the woman and gain her trust. Will Trent do his job, or will he turn against his department?
This book attracted me with a great premise, and I was excited to get sucked in.
However, good as the premise was, I didn't find this book to my liking.
I found the plot very predictable and slow, and as a result, I struggled to get into it.
The main female character was shockingly implausible; I couldn't fathom why an intelligent woman like her would be so gullible and unsuspecting.
The ending didn't offer anything that I couldn't have guessed.
After some deliberation, I decided to give it 2 stars instead of 1 because the story did pick up towards the end.
Dr Adrianna Drake's clinic is doing remarkably well, never failing any of the monthly check-ups, but there has been a spike in the number of patients that use its services.
The United States Department of Embryo Preservation is convinced that Dr Drake is engaged in criminal activity. They send an undercover agent, Trent, to befriend the woman and gain her trust. Will Trent do his job, or will he turn against his department?
This book attracted me with a great premise, and I was excited to get sucked in.
However, good as the premise was, I didn't find this book to my liking.
I found the plot very predictable and slow, and as a result, I struggled to get into it.
The main female character was shockingly implausible; I couldn't fathom why an intelligent woman like her would be so gullible and unsuspecting.
The ending didn't offer anything that I couldn't have guessed.
After some deliberation, I decided to give it 2 stars instead of 1 because the story did pick up towards the end.
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