I, Human

by John Nelson

The author's 1988 novel, Transformations, told the story of a young geneticist who wanted to root out and replace the human species more unsavory character traits. But he found himself part of an experiment by advance beings who revealed the real inner-workings of human evolution as self-transcendence. Twenty-five years later, after the themes of transhumanism, its peril and its hope, have been bandied about by authors of every stripe, Nelson revisits these themes in I, Human. Set in the Brave New World of the late 21st century, most everyone has neural implants that have raised average I.Q.s to 200 plus and monitor one s activities. The downside is they suppress feelings and intuition and are causing massive emotional breakdowns among the techno elites. This sets the stage for Alan Reynard and his journey from callous transhuman to a feeling-oriented Intuitive. Fitted with an experimental processor, he infiltrates a borny village to discover the secrets of its spiritual healers. Having lost the ability to program integrative functioning, his superiors hope Reynard s processing can rectify this deficit and save their society..."

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2016

About the author

I am a rather self-taught author and editor. My first novel, "Starborn" was published in 1978 by a small regional publisher, and was then picked up Hampton Roads Publishing in 1993, which subsequently published "Matrix of the Gods" (1994), republished "Transformations" (1997) and published "The Magic Mirror) in 2007, which won the COVR Best Book of the Year Award at INATS in 2008.

I was brought to L.A. by an agent in 1979 after the publication of "Starborn," which was subsequently optioned by a small-time producer for whom I wrote a screenplay adaptation, and went on to write adaptions for my other two novels for producers. One was David Field, a former studio executive who transitioned into writing screenplays ("Amazing Grace and Chuck"). In the late 1990s I also wrote a screenplay adaptation of "Matrix of the Gods" for actor/producer Steven Seagal.

After working in small publishing as an editor during the 1990s for Hampton Roads Pub, Bear & Co., and Inner Oceans, I started my own editorial service in 2003, Bookworks Ltd. I currently write my own books and edit the works of other authors under this umbrella. In May, 2016 Cosmic Egg will published my latest novel, "I, Human" in the sci-fi/visionary fiction genre.

Reviews

[Gxianfranko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you prefer to be simply human or more-than-human?
That’s easy? Think well before answering, because it’s not a question as simple or smooth as it seems. It involves not only our concept of what means to be “human”, but also the future of medical research, neurological and chemical applications, and the government approach and assessment of the problem.

See, at the end of 21st century, the intelligence analyst Alan Reynolds lives in a split society: the vast majority of people with neural brain processors, that increase their intelligence, but suppress emotional empathy – and the “Bornies”, people who accept the limitations and emotions they are born with.
Alan is somewhat exceptional, because he has a high IQ, but also a not negligible emotional empathy. This is useful in his missions to track down malfunctioning people. But, when he is sent to infiltrate a Bornie group, he discovers that the leader, Maria Fria, is able to heal and restore people in ways impossible to the brain processors. Very soon Alan “converts” himself to the world vision and capabilities of Maria, and begins to develop a plan of his own…

So, returning to the opening question, is this the answer? Bornies are better? Well, if you read the novel, you’ll see that there can be a third, maybe a fourth possibility.

“I Human” by John Nelson is not a “thriller”, in the sense of heavy action and heartthrobbing suspense. But it will be a thrill for your mind, wondering about the brain and brain implants possibilities, our functioning as a whole society, our true integration of intelligence, feelings and emotions…
Read it with your mind open and you’ll discover yourself looking at the reality and the other people in subtly different ways.

[John Nelson]

“In John Nelson’s futuristic and aptly titled spy thriller, I, Human, he explores the boundaries of what it means to be human. Set at the end of the 21st century, when humanity has split into two groups, the techno elite with implanted neural brain processors that vastly increase intelligence, but which suppress emotion and intuition, and those called “Bornies,” who have refused the artificial enhancement. Intelligence analyst Alan Reynard is sent on a mission to secretly infiltrate a Bornie spiritual community whose leader, Maria Fria, seems to be able to heal people and enhance emotion in ways beyond what the brain processors can do. But those who have sent him have not revealed the real purpose of his mission and Reynard and an outcast former operative, Emma, will find themselves on a dangerous exploration into the truth of self, consciousness and who we are and can be. An intriguing and superb futuristic spy thriller.”
– Andrew Kaplan, author of the Scorpion and Homeland spy novels.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

To begin, I did not finish this novel....I could not, I was just so disinterested and I tried, I got about half way through before I just could not trudge through any longer. I was initially excited by this novel because the idea and concept sounded right up my alley, I rather like sci fi novels with genetic alterations and what not. But this novel specifically was just dull, it seems that the author really wanted a reader to understand the flatness of his characters because it felt like it was written in such a flat manner. In addition, there seem to be some strange and really unnecessary sex scenes in the novel. Mind you, I am no prude when it comes to sex scenes but most of these just didn't seem to fit in the story line, at least as far as I had read. It was a good attempt and the concept sounded really good, but I just felt like this novel was a flop.

[Andrew Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I, Human" is written in a beautiful polished style. It is a craftfully created blend of science-fiction, dystopia, psycho-spiritual, and spy-story genres. Drawing on elements of classics like 1984, A Brave New World, or Neuromancer, it leads the reader into an imagined future where much of humanity have had genetically-created neural implants inserted into their brains. This enhances their analytic intelligence, while reducing emotions and feelings. The 'bornies' - those without such neutral implants - are more in touch with their feelings and energies; some have spiritual healing powers and are perceived as a threat by government powers. I recommend it, as it is an engrossing, intelligent, thought-provoking read.

[Veronika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through Netgalley.

A quick read, the book explores quite an interesting topic. The book tells a story about society in future that is divided between people with modified brain, which results in them having very high IQ but they lack in emotional intelligence and then there are "Bornies" who refuse to have their brain altered. The story was a little confusing at times with all the undecover operations,different names etc. but on the whole it was quite enjoyable.

[Kallierose · Rating 1 out of 5]

The concept seemed interesting but the writing was very difficult to follow. There were numerous typos and misspellings that threw me right out of the book. In addition, this book had a major case of "tell not show," and lacked any details either about the characters or the story itself. I'm sorry, because the premise had a lot of promise.

Received free in return for an honest review.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. I asked for a copy because it was described as a cross between 1984 and Brave New World. There were definitely parallels to the former, but none to the latter. I was in love with the first third of the book, but then it took a turn that wasn't as enjoyable for me as the beginning.