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A compelling novel based on the high-stakes biotech industry and the science behind Viagra from the internationally known “Father of the Pill.”
The fourth installment of Carl Djerassi’s pioneering “science-in-fiction” tetralogy tells the story of a husband and wife team who devise new solutions to problems associated with sex and reproduction. Renu Krishnan is an Indian-born, American-educated scientist who discovers how NO (nitric oxide) can help men with erectile dysfunction—the scientific rationale behind Viagra. At the same time, her husband, Israeli scientist Jephtah Cohn, develops a new approach to ovulation prediction, which is also based on factual research. When Wall street gets wind of their discoveries, the couple catapults in the fast paced world of lawyers and IPOs, where scientists are now a hot commodity. Deftly exploring the demanding worlds of academia and high finance, Djerassi brings back many characters from his three earlier novels for a satisfying conclusion.
The fourth installment of Carl Djerassi’s pioneering “science-in-fiction” tetralogy tells the story of a husband and wife team who devise new solutions to problems associated with sex and reproduction. Renu Krishnan is an Indian-born, American-educated scientist who discovers how NO (nitric oxide) can help men with erectile dysfunction—the scientific rationale behind Viagra. At the same time, her husband, Israeli scientist Jephtah Cohn, develops a new approach to ovulation prediction, which is also based on factual research. When Wall street gets wind of their discoveries, the couple catapults in the fast paced world of lawyers and IPOs, where scientists are now a hot commodity. Deftly exploring the demanding worlds of academia and high finance, Djerassi brings back many characters from his three earlier novels for a satisfying conclusion.
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First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 19, 2019
NO is the chemical formula for nitric oxide, a simple gas that has many roles in almost all life. In mammals, nitric oxide is a signaling molecule involved in many physiological and pathological processes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biologi... And the discovery that NO can correct erectile dysfunction in human males is the scientific basis for Djerassi's novel, one of a series he called "science in fiction," now more commonly known as Lab Lit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lab_lit
I liked this book a lot, although it starts out with some difficult technical reading that challenged even this reader, who at one time aspired to become an organic chemist. You could safely skim this stuff and pay attention to the human interactions, which are very nicely done, and get better when he really hits his stride, about 75 pages in. So, don't give up if you try it!
For me, the really fascinating stuff was his insights into the founding of a plausible biotech startup company in California in the 1980s (something Djerassi had done), and the nitty-gritty details of how to make a scientific idea into a successful commercial product. Not an easy thing to do! And Djerassi's characters really come to life, with endearing (or not) personal quirks, personal growth under pressure and a plausibly happy ending. Very good book, after the slow start. Djerassi includes a bunch of other interesting stuff about human (and other mammalian) internal chemistry. Even a cool little divertissimo into newt sex! Recommended for scientists, Lab-Lit and hard-SF fans.
The first really successful treatment of erectile dysfunction turned out to be Viagra (Sildenafil), which involves NO but with a much different metabolic pathway. And, the mechanism for administering the fictional drug was a small plastic pill-holder to be inserted deep into the user's urethra! This was based on an actual proposal, but which had no chance of competing against a simple oral pill. Viagra went on the market in 1998, the year this book was published.
There are two first-rate reviews at Amazon, both from 1998, both by working scientists, including one who calls NO the "fourth and best of his science-in-fiction tetralogy." I agree.
Cover blurbs: http://www.djerassi.com/noeng.html
I liked this book a lot, although it starts out with some difficult technical reading that challenged even this reader, who at one time aspired to become an organic chemist. You could safely skim this stuff and pay attention to the human interactions, which are very nicely done, and get better when he really hits his stride, about 75 pages in. So, don't give up if you try it!
For me, the really fascinating stuff was his insights into the founding of a plausible biotech startup company in California in the 1980s (something Djerassi had done), and the nitty-gritty details of how to make a scientific idea into a successful commercial product. Not an easy thing to do! And Djerassi's characters really come to life, with endearing (or not) personal quirks, personal growth under pressure and a plausibly happy ending. Very good book, after the slow start. Djerassi includes a bunch of other interesting stuff about human (and other mammalian) internal chemistry. Even a cool little divertissimo into newt sex! Recommended for scientists, Lab-Lit and hard-SF fans.
The first really successful treatment of erectile dysfunction turned out to be Viagra (Sildenafil), which involves NO but with a much different metabolic pathway. And, the mechanism for administering the fictional drug was a small plastic pill-holder to be inserted deep into the user's urethra! This was based on an actual proposal, but which had no chance of competing against a simple oral pill. Viagra went on the market in 1998, the year this book was published.
There are two first-rate reviews at Amazon, both from 1998, both by working scientists, including one who calls NO the "fourth and best of his science-in-fiction tetralogy." I agree.
Cover blurbs: http://www.djerassi.com/noeng.html
October 5, 2021
Djerassi's "science-in-fiction" is good, his fiction-in-science is not.
I enjoyed his descriptions of what it takes to do research, get funding, start a company, get a product through FDA approval, etc. The problem is his fiction.
Narration is a mess. He uses a third person narrator AND first person narration (in italics) with different characters, writing as if the person is thinking or speaking to him/herself. Aside for my distaste of reading large passages that are italicized, his overly dramatic first person narration is rather bad: "I was taken aback, coming home to find Renu Krishnan kibitizing with Adam and Menachem over their checkers game. When I noticed Renu's discomfort my surprise turned into embarassment. She was about to embark on a hasty retreat when Menachem made a remark that changed everything." It's a pattern of his - make a dramatic statement and on the next page explain in third person why the person thought that. Clunky at best. Why not stick to a third person narration?
Djerassi has odd descriptions of characters like:
"... his combed, silvery hair quivering ever so slightly with the pumping motion of his enthusiastic handshake. Yet the touch of his well groomed hands and long fingers was gentle, his skin had a manly softness that one usually associates with pediatricians."
Not only is it sexist (to assume pediatricians are male) I've yet to hear a woman comment on the manly softness of any man's hands.
His central character is practically a Marvel superhero: beautiful, brilliant, charming, with completely regular menstrual cycles, and of course, almost always orgasmic during intercourse. How do we know that? Because in a first person section she tells us. He also tells us about her pubic hair. Why? I haven't a clue.
Sadly I recommend just saying no to NO.
I enjoyed his descriptions of what it takes to do research, get funding, start a company, get a product through FDA approval, etc. The problem is his fiction.
Narration is a mess. He uses a third person narrator AND first person narration (in italics) with different characters, writing as if the person is thinking or speaking to him/herself. Aside for my distaste of reading large passages that are italicized, his overly dramatic first person narration is rather bad: "I was taken aback, coming home to find Renu Krishnan kibitizing with Adam and Menachem over their checkers game. When I noticed Renu's discomfort my surprise turned into embarassment. She was about to embark on a hasty retreat when Menachem made a remark that changed everything." It's a pattern of his - make a dramatic statement and on the next page explain in third person why the person thought that. Clunky at best. Why not stick to a third person narration?
Djerassi has odd descriptions of characters like:
"... his combed, silvery hair quivering ever so slightly with the pumping motion of his enthusiastic handshake. Yet the touch of his well groomed hands and long fingers was gentle, his skin had a manly softness that one usually associates with pediatricians."
Not only is it sexist (to assume pediatricians are male) I've yet to hear a woman comment on the manly softness of any man's hands.
His central character is practically a Marvel superhero: beautiful, brilliant, charming, with completely regular menstrual cycles, and of course, almost always orgasmic during intercourse. How do we know that? Because in a first person section she tells us. He also tells us about her pubic hair. Why? I haven't a clue.
Sadly I recommend just saying no to NO.
February 7, 2017
"Science in fiction" is an interesting concept, and at times it worked in this book. But the rest of the book was boring and not as engaging for me.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews