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Insanity
Insanity has destroyed humanity once and is now poised to destroy it again. For a thousand years, the scourge has been held in check by specialized vitamins. Instability in the human genome, however, threatens to render the vitamins impotent, unless someone can solve the DNA Dilemma. Fighting a losing battle against his own decline into insanity, medical student John Turner writes a revolutionary thesis that he hopes will save the human race. But as events unfold, John discovers that insanity is not at all what his education has led him to believe. Furthermore, his wife concludes that his thesis is not the panacea he imagines, but instead represents the greatest threat to human freedom and happiness that the world has ever known. With time running out and the stakes rising, John must face the evil within and make a terrifying choice.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
246 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 11, 2012
When I saw the publisher’s blurb about Insanity by Aaron Jordan, it looked like a very interesting and original premise so, of course, I had to request an advance reader’s copy. What would happen if mental health professionals and research scientists were given complete control over mankind? In this dystopian, science fiction thriller of a novel, that’s exactly what’s happens. Let’s just say you may never look at vitamins the same way again. Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=2624.
April 11, 2012
The ending of this book makes the entire book pointless to read. Sorry, but that is my opinion.
August 7, 2014
“You and your predecessors have stolen the freedom and happiness of millions, and you want me to help you regain absolute power so that you can chase down a utopian fantasy?”
Insanity is an unusual dystopia for its time – given the trend towards this genre being recently aimed more towards teens and young adults, this presents a more adult perspective with two of the central characters already married when the story begins. The book follows three key characters, pioneering scientists Richard and John, and John’s philosophical wife, Angela. They live within a society rules by the Mental Health Police, their very emotions and natural impulses controlled via government prescribed “vitamins”. In effect, this is really a way to keep the population passive and without any such passions like desire and anger which could potentially be rebellious and harmful to others in the world. The fear is that if not controlled by these vitamins, people would become “insane”. Richard and John already start to show the signs of this insanity and are quickly taken away by the mysterious Dr Lieberman who wants to liberate them and the rest of the world from the vitamins.
As premises go, this one doesn’t sound too off the wall, when looking at many other dystopian novels. As always in the dystopian society, the people are subjugated by others and oppressed – in this case the people are unaware of the negative sides of this control for some time, with history itself having been rewritten by the scientists to favour their regime. This book is largely philosophical in nature and it’s in these parts where it excels – the action and character development otherwise I found fell rather flat for me. One chapter in particular which outlines Dr Goode’s argument for keeping the regime in place was interesting, as it was unusual to see both sides of the story presented in such an objective light.
Mostly, I found this book to be a struggle though. The writing style just didn’t cut it for me from the beginning – often it felt clumsy with numerous clichés and repetition. It also fell into the unfortunate trap or telling far more than it actually showed – I really struggled to care much about the dangerous situations the characters got themselves into, or about the characters themselves. With some exceptions like the optimistic but flawed scientist Dr Lieberman, the main characters felt woefully underdeveloped and just plain two-dimensional to me. Although I could attribute this in the beginning to them being under the effects of vitamins, so their true personalities might have been stifled, even later on I just never really warmed to them. Robert’s motives seemed to come out of nowhere and felt more used as a plot device just to include an antagonist. John had slightly more development with his struggles about existing within a world where you can be affected by rage and murder on a daily basis. It was Angela however, who I really didn’t like – as the only real female character in the novel she at first was portrayed as a nag, and then later transformed into what was basically a prophetic saint. All in all, it just felt like lazy character writing and really a shame that she ended up being moulded into such a cliché.
The book started off pretty slow, with many of the chapters dragging but then picked up for a bit at the mid-point. However, for me the ending was bordering on ridiculous with the war which John himself said was “insanity” (clever punning there, Mr Jordan, I’ll give you that!) and then a climax which suddenly became religious. Perhaps I should have noticed the signs earlier in the book with Angela’s plotline, but the ending definitely just felt very tacked on to me. Overall, I felt the scientific side to this book was the strongest part – the plotline up until the end was actually pretty decent but sadly hampered by the other aspects which let it down. Although, it’s definitely a different dystopia from ones I’ve read before, I felt the book was too flawed for it to really work. A shame, because it certainly had the potential to be something really good, but the message at the end just felt too overblown and too alienating to really believe in.
Insanity is an unusual dystopia for its time – given the trend towards this genre being recently aimed more towards teens and young adults, this presents a more adult perspective with two of the central characters already married when the story begins. The book follows three key characters, pioneering scientists Richard and John, and John’s philosophical wife, Angela. They live within a society rules by the Mental Health Police, their very emotions and natural impulses controlled via government prescribed “vitamins”. In effect, this is really a way to keep the population passive and without any such passions like desire and anger which could potentially be rebellious and harmful to others in the world. The fear is that if not controlled by these vitamins, people would become “insane”. Richard and John already start to show the signs of this insanity and are quickly taken away by the mysterious Dr Lieberman who wants to liberate them and the rest of the world from the vitamins.
As premises go, this one doesn’t sound too off the wall, when looking at many other dystopian novels. As always in the dystopian society, the people are subjugated by others and oppressed – in this case the people are unaware of the negative sides of this control for some time, with history itself having been rewritten by the scientists to favour their regime. This book is largely philosophical in nature and it’s in these parts where it excels – the action and character development otherwise I found fell rather flat for me. One chapter in particular which outlines Dr Goode’s argument for keeping the regime in place was interesting, as it was unusual to see both sides of the story presented in such an objective light.
Mostly, I found this book to be a struggle though. The writing style just didn’t cut it for me from the beginning – often it felt clumsy with numerous clichés and repetition. It also fell into the unfortunate trap or telling far more than it actually showed – I really struggled to care much about the dangerous situations the characters got themselves into, or about the characters themselves. With some exceptions like the optimistic but flawed scientist Dr Lieberman, the main characters felt woefully underdeveloped and just plain two-dimensional to me. Although I could attribute this in the beginning to them being under the effects of vitamins, so their true personalities might have been stifled, even later on I just never really warmed to them. Robert’s motives seemed to come out of nowhere and felt more used as a plot device just to include an antagonist. John had slightly more development with his struggles about existing within a world where you can be affected by rage and murder on a daily basis. It was Angela however, who I really didn’t like – as the only real female character in the novel she at first was portrayed as a nag, and then later transformed into what was basically a prophetic saint. All in all, it just felt like lazy character writing and really a shame that she ended up being moulded into such a cliché.
The book started off pretty slow, with many of the chapters dragging but then picked up for a bit at the mid-point. However, for me the ending was bordering on ridiculous with the war which John himself said was “insanity” (clever punning there, Mr Jordan, I’ll give you that!) and then a climax which suddenly became religious. Perhaps I should have noticed the signs earlier in the book with Angela’s plotline, but the ending definitely just felt very tacked on to me. Overall, I felt the scientific side to this book was the strongest part – the plotline up until the end was actually pretty decent but sadly hampered by the other aspects which let it down. Although, it’s definitely a different dystopia from ones I’ve read before, I felt the book was too flawed for it to really work. A shame, because it certainly had the potential to be something really good, but the message at the end just felt too overblown and too alienating to really believe in.
February 3, 2016
I was fortunate enough to win a copy of this book as part of GoodRead's giveaways program. I finished it a week ago and have been trying to figure out how to write a review since.
Because I won this book, I knew that I'd be writing an extended review so I was constantly thinking of what rating I'd give it. And it constantly changed. I went all the way up and down the scale. The beginning of the book is addictively interesting. I had trouble getting other things done that weekend because I was so curious to learn more, to figure out what was going on and what would happen next.
That being said, Insanity is not a perfect book. There were times my rating was at a two. This book clearly illustrates the difference my old teachers tried to explain about how good writing is "showing", not "telling". A good deal of this narrative is telling. I got upset a number of times because I thought Jordan had cut the corners off what could have been a classic book and a pillar of science fiction literature. Add to that unimaginative straightforwardness that there a few internal continuity missteps and plotholes, and some stark and elementary dialogue, and a good deal of the book felt like a brilliant idea being sold short.
But you'll notice, I've given the book four stars. And that's because I finished it. I read the uniquely surprising ending, and found 10 discussion questions at the end. And that's when I realized Insanity is not a traditional novel.
Rather than a complex narrative focused on entertainment and hinting at philosophy and deep themes, Insanity is a work of philosophical fiction. One in which the ideas are paramount, and the story more a support or delivery method. It has more in common with Voltaire's Candide, C.S. Lewis's Space trilogy, and War and Peace by Tolstoy than works by Michael Crichton or John Grisham. And as such, it is a great piece. Read as a novel, I was confused and disappointed by how one dimensional some of the characters seemed, but understood as philosophical fiction, I was greatly appreciative of how Jordan had done away with subtlety that could have hidden the concepts from breeze readers.
I understand the publisher''s choice, after all, how do you mass market a work of philosophical fiction? But this book is much more enjoyable and immensely more satisfying when it is properly understood. Find some friends to read it with and enjoy this great work!
Because I won this book, I knew that I'd be writing an extended review so I was constantly thinking of what rating I'd give it. And it constantly changed. I went all the way up and down the scale. The beginning of the book is addictively interesting. I had trouble getting other things done that weekend because I was so curious to learn more, to figure out what was going on and what would happen next.
That being said, Insanity is not a perfect book. There were times my rating was at a two. This book clearly illustrates the difference my old teachers tried to explain about how good writing is "showing", not "telling". A good deal of this narrative is telling. I got upset a number of times because I thought Jordan had cut the corners off what could have been a classic book and a pillar of science fiction literature. Add to that unimaginative straightforwardness that there a few internal continuity missteps and plotholes, and some stark and elementary dialogue, and a good deal of the book felt like a brilliant idea being sold short.
But you'll notice, I've given the book four stars. And that's because I finished it. I read the uniquely surprising ending, and found 10 discussion questions at the end. And that's when I realized Insanity is not a traditional novel.
Rather than a complex narrative focused on entertainment and hinting at philosophy and deep themes, Insanity is a work of philosophical fiction. One in which the ideas are paramount, and the story more a support or delivery method. It has more in common with Voltaire's Candide, C.S. Lewis's Space trilogy, and War and Peace by Tolstoy than works by Michael Crichton or John Grisham. And as such, it is a great piece. Read as a novel, I was confused and disappointed by how one dimensional some of the characters seemed, but understood as philosophical fiction, I was greatly appreciative of how Jordan had done away with subtlety that could have hidden the concepts from breeze readers.
I understand the publisher''s choice, after all, how do you mass market a work of philosophical fiction? But this book is much more enjoyable and immensely more satisfying when it is properly understood. Find some friends to read it with and enjoy this great work!
June 8, 2012
I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I thought that this book started out really good and the author imagination is pretty amazing. I can't imagine a society that is controlled with vitamins to weed out all the undesirable traits in our society. It was facinating to see John, Angela, and Robert behave naturally without the vitamins compared to their behavior with the vitamins. The big stand out moment for me is when John started having what we call "natural" feelings towards his wife and they were both frightened by it.
That being said there were some gaps in the storyline that aren't really filled in and it robs the reader of a great read. It seemed that sometimes are things that happen in the storyline and it was explained after the fact, rather then building up to it naturally. I didn't really care for the ending and it seemed almost awkward. I was hoping for something more but I can see that there was a lesson in it.
I realized at the end of the book that there were discussion questions that are more philosophical in nature to make the reader reflect. Do we need to live in a society that is so controlled that we don't have any undesirable traits? Does this allow our society to grow or do we just remain stagnant? Do we balance a society of good and evil where free will still applies but take the chance of repeating our mistakes? I still think that free will is still our greatest gift even though it may not give us our ideal society.
I thought that this book started out really good and the author imagination is pretty amazing. I can't imagine a society that is controlled with vitamins to weed out all the undesirable traits in our society. It was facinating to see John, Angela, and Robert behave naturally without the vitamins compared to their behavior with the vitamins. The big stand out moment for me is when John started having what we call "natural" feelings towards his wife and they were both frightened by it.
That being said there were some gaps in the storyline that aren't really filled in and it robs the reader of a great read. It seemed that sometimes are things that happen in the storyline and it was explained after the fact, rather then building up to it naturally. I didn't really care for the ending and it seemed almost awkward. I was hoping for something more but I can see that there was a lesson in it.
I realized at the end of the book that there were discussion questions that are more philosophical in nature to make the reader reflect. Do we need to live in a society that is so controlled that we don't have any undesirable traits? Does this allow our society to grow or do we just remain stagnant? Do we balance a society of good and evil where free will still applies but take the chance of repeating our mistakes? I still think that free will is still our greatest gift even though it may not give us our ideal society.
June 13, 2012
Set in the future, this book's definition of insanity has a very different meaning than what we currently believe. All characters are given vitamins to prevent insanity, but even with vitamins, Robert and John are struggling to stay "sane". This book was intriguing from beginning to end and very thought provoking. It was interesting and sweet to watch John and his wife, Angela, have their relationship grow into something they never thought possible. There are several characters with strong personalities and opinions of what's right and wrong and what they think will save humanity. Just when Aaron Jordan has you believing in one of these character's philosophies, he shows you another point of view and changes your mind. Major, life-altering decisions are made based on what characters think someone else is feeling and thinking and things probably would've ended very differently had they trusted each other and had more open conversations before making rash decisions. To see how everything unfolded was captivating! I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it to both male and female ages 16+.
For more content details see http://www.compassbookratings.com/rev...
For more content details see http://www.compassbookratings.com/rev...
June 5, 2012
I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway, and I enjoyed the writing style and basic concept. However, I like the science in my science fiction to be a bit more accurate. The spontaneous DNA rearrangement was a little too unbelievable for me, but, that said, I still couldn't put the book down once I started reading it.
Though there is definitely a sense of action in the book, many of the most interesting parts (to me anyway) were the philosophical discussions between the characters. Who was right and who was wrong? In many cases, even by the end of the book, the reader is left with no clear answer outside of his or her own opinion. The only surety is that human nature is what it is.
Though there is definitely a sense of action in the book, many of the most interesting parts (to me anyway) were the philosophical discussions between the characters. Who was right and who was wrong? In many cases, even by the end of the book, the reader is left with no clear answer outside of his or her own opinion. The only surety is that human nature is what it is.
October 6, 2012
This is a book set in the future after humanity nearly destroyed itself with war. Society is now controlled through the use of medication, and when that medication fails, 'Insanity' is declared.
This book has an interesting premise, but it felt like it fell a bit flat to me. I have read other books with similar themes (The Giver is the one that really comes to mind) that had lessons without feeling like you were reading a philosophy book. I believe the main goal of this book was to try and decide which side you would be on if given the same choices....
In the end, I enjoyed the book. I just honestly believe it could have been better.
This book has an interesting premise, but it felt like it fell a bit flat to me. I have read other books with similar themes (The Giver is the one that really comes to mind) that had lessons without feeling like you were reading a philosophy book. I believe the main goal of this book was to try and decide which side you would be on if given the same choices....
In the end, I enjoyed the book. I just honestly believe it could have been better.
April 18, 2012
This was an interesting read. It takes a look at life in the future after a nuclear holacaust has taken place 100's of years before. It delves in to how a few people decided it best to change the human DNA to remove all the bad characteristics from it, allowing a utopic state if you will. This was done so the human race would never reach the point of killing off the entire race again. It talks about the downside of that state, allowing for basically no emotions. Al in all it gives you something to think about.
April 1, 2012
I was able to win a copy through Goodreads. The book started off and I was like wow how did the authors mind create this. I was engaged and looking foward to the plot twists. However in my opinion the book just ended. The author tied everything up, left you with the nugget that history is doomed to repeat itself and then lectured you through the repeating.
Overall give the book a read, it will most certainly give you so good for thought.
Overall give the book a read, it will most certainly give you so good for thought.
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January 14, 2013The story was really interesting. The whole vitamins-to-supress-our-natural-tendencies was an interesting take on the age-old problem of how to get people to behave. I liked the subtle hints throughout the book that this was a spin on some doctrinal concepts we believe in the LDS church. I also enjoyed the not-so-subtle ones.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews