The Rosen Singularity

by Lior Samson

"Death is very likely the single best invention of Life." Steve Jobs, Stanford, 2005Rosen David, a research biologist who does no research, is about to find out what the late Steve Jobs meant. Working in biotech and looking for novel patterns in the work of others, he makes a dramatic new discovery with profound implications for medicine and society. When his work starts disappearing and his life is threatened, his settled existence becomes complicated and dangerous. His actions entangle him in the invisible network of an elderly, jet-setting doctor with unusual patients, including a pair of sybaritic California billionaires and the brutal and long-lived African dictator, Edgar Jabari Mbutsu. Rosen ends up playing in a high stakes game with powerful players who leave him wondering how long he will live. The rules are unclear, the cards he holds are of uncertain value, and he may be called upon to bet everything.This provocative thriller from critically acclaimed novelist Lior Samson will have you turning the pages with anticipation and thinking about some of the hard choices that medical advances could soon force upon us all. Packed with energy, passion, and technical savvy, The Rosen Singularity is a thriller for our times.

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2011

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

With action sequences taking place in far-flung locations around the world, vibrant and distinctive characters, and thoughtful, yet engaging narratives and conversations, the Rosen Singularity is an intelligently written thriller that is easy to read. At the same time, it examines complex, genuinely provocative medical technology by painting a stark, ugly picture of an exclusive group with access to profoundly superior medical care which allows them to live significantly longer, healthier lives.

The nerdy protagonist, a mathematical biologist, stumbles upon some nearly untraceable data. He then proceeds to aggregate and correlate the separate pieces uncovering a startling, irrefutable scientific breakthrough affecting human longevity. Unwittingly, he unleashes the significant might of a small, extremely powerful cabal determined to harness his brilliant mind and bend it to their will, while protecting dark secrets from public knowledge.

The ideas and story are compelling, but the best part of this book, for me anyway, is the diversity of the characters within and the fact that the human elements are so rich and full. The characters lived within my imagination; I felt their pain, their loyalties, their greed, and their inherent ideals. I rejoiced with them during their triumphs and gasped at their misfortunes. This is an exciting, pulse-pounding story of an unlikely underdog relentlessly determined to shine a light into the dark abyss of secrecy, corruption, and entitlement.

[Patricia O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosen David is a data geek who notices a strange pattern of suppressing research by his employers. When he digs further into the matter, his life is turned upside down and he is forced to question everything he thought he understood about his work, his marriage, and the purpose of his life.

This was a difficult book to put down. Rosen is a likable, yet flawed character whose single-minded tenacity had me rooting for him even when I was most annoyed with him.

In addition to Rosen, Samson has created a supporting cast of characters who range from diabolical dictators, pedantic professors, and eccentric billionaires caught in the web of men who value immortality over all else.

Samson challenged me with his science-driven plot that frequently ventures into philosophy, while charming me with local references to the Boston area setting of the novel. But what kept me up late reading The Rosen Singularity was Samson's clever plotting - I never knew what would happen next and I was eager to read just one more page to find out.

[Peggy Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed medical thrillers ever since I discovered Robin Cook. The whole concept of this novel is interesting. We all would love to find the fountain of youth and in this novel, it is discovered but at a very high price. Without giving away too much of the plot, it is one of those stories where the hero uncovers an evil and no one will believe him. His life is threatened and his wife leaves him. His work is destroyed and he has to start his research over. It's hard, at first, to tell who the good guys and the bad guys are. The only problem I had with this book was that it moved at a snail's pace, it was very long winded with long sentences. It could have been about half the length. The plot is excellent but it didn't keep me turning pages and I found myself skipping parts of it. The whole thing just needs to tightened up a bit.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was unfamiliar with this author prior to reading this book. I thought his concept was intriguing and the writing was quite good. I enjoyed it.