Direct Descendant

by Charles Wilson

Dr. Noel Anderson hears of a miraculously preserved early human and decides to steal DNA from it in order to clone the specimen and prove his theories, but when the experiment goes wrong, only one man might be able to prevent the impending disaster. Original.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction

324 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Over the years, I‘ve read several of Wilson’s thrillers. They are all unique blends of excitement with a sort of scientific twist and a dash of romance. This isn’t his strongest novel - the scope is a little too large to be crammed into a book under 350 pages - but it’s still an entertaining one. The general premise of the havoc that ensues once a sperm sample is stolen from a museum exhibit’s ancient man and used to impregnate a modern woman definitely crosses the line requiring a suspension of disbelief. This is only starting point as more craziness - even some Ancient Aliens (a precursor to the popular History Channel show!) appear. The characters do not stand out for the genre, but neither are they unlikable. The most frustrating part are the hints where Wilson seems to have thought have taking his novel, but he pulls back at the last minute. The late introduction of several characters also adds to the illogicalness of it all (too big of a scope for such a brief novel!!). The ending feels a bit rushed as well, and in the end it leaves a rather lingering feeling of dissatisfaction because of the story’s potential.

[Bart Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this item when it was first released at an author signing event in Biloxi, MS. At the time I placed in a protective bag and then in a drawer. I did not read it until now. It's quite good, but definitely longer than I think it needed to be. Perhaps a good fifty pages could have been shaved off.
I was reminded of Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child books several times while reading this one.

[Sarah Jowett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldnt get into it

[Syed Ali Hussain Bukhari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Direct Descendant by Charles Wilson, is a story that is a mixture of cannibalism, aliens, science: biotechnology. An average story, I would like to sum up.

[James Brigham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Woof! This wasn't high art but I got what I wanted out of a $4.00 Half Price Books thriller paperback: pulp thrills and dumb action. Endless characters stumbling onto monstrous moments only to get killed. Vague hand waving away of scientific theory. Wine drinking away fear of peril. Late stage psychic subplot. It's like a novelization of a never made Roger Corman movie. Honestly I'm likely being too kind about it but there's a reveal about adversaries' weakness near the end that had me laughing out loud.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was a lot of fun. I enjoyed how it just got more outrageous as it went along. When the cannibalism started I thought that David Lynch would be the perfect director to film this story. Kyle MacLachlan could even play Cameron Malone. I only gave it three stars, because it's not a great book, but simply a fun way to pass a weekend.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting premise. I hope he writes a sequel to it. Left a few unanswered questions.