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The Moreau Factor
THE EVOLUTION OF TERROR
A hard-living reporter long past his Pulitzer Prize-winning prime, Chuck Vallone is about to meet a renowned geneticist who needs to clear his conscience. But when Vallone arrives at their rendezvous, he finds the D.C. hotel swarming with government agents. The scientist's room is now a grisly slaughterhouse splattered with blood--but no sign of a body.
Vallone knows he has the story of the century, especially when he receives a mysterious package filled with a computer disk and strange samples of DNA. Now he's determined to uncover the truth. But it's no brave new world Vallone will be exploring; rather, a deadly depraved one ruled by preeminent scientists. And this powerful cadre intends to make Vallone both eyewitness and executor of their final ferocious plan . . .
A hard-living reporter long past his Pulitzer Prize-winning prime, Chuck Vallone is about to meet a renowned geneticist who needs to clear his conscience. But when Vallone arrives at their rendezvous, he finds the D.C. hotel swarming with government agents. The scientist's room is now a grisly slaughterhouse splattered with blood--but no sign of a body.
Vallone knows he has the story of the century, especially when he receives a mysterious package filled with a computer disk and strange samples of DNA. Now he's determined to uncover the truth. But it's no brave new world Vallone will be exploring; rather, a deadly depraved one ruled by preeminent scientists. And this powerful cadre intends to make Vallone both eyewitness and executor of their final ferocious plan . . .
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2000
1 person is currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Jack L. Chalker
132 books356 followersBesides being a science fiction author, Jack Laurence Chalker was a Baltimore City Schools history teacher in Maryland for a time, a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association, and was involved in the founding of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Some of his books said that he was born in Norfolk, Virginia although he later claimed that was a mistake.
He attended all but one of the World Science Fiction Conventions from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine).
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He had a great interest in ferryboats, and, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull Ferry.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award twice and for the Hugo Award twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation on April 9, 2005.
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he didn't regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland.
Chalker is perhaps best known for his Well World series of novels, the first of which is Midnight at the Well of Souls (Well World, #1).
He attended all but one of the World Science Fiction Conventions from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine).
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He had a great interest in ferryboats, and, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull Ferry.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award twice and for the Hugo Award twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation on April 9, 2005.
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he didn't regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland.
Chalker is perhaps best known for his Well World series of novels, the first of which is Midnight at the Well of Souls (Well World, #1).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 31, 2022
I have read a lot of Chalker's books, definitely more than twenty, but the first words that comes in to my mind thinking of this book are "strange" and "un-Chalkerish". You may rightly wonder why, because well, this writer has his own and very distinctive style which is easy to identify. This book isn't an exception: transhumanism? Check. Duty versus free will? Check. Artificial intelligence? Check. Big breasts and huge penises? OF COURSE it's a CHECK!
Now I hear you saying: "yeah, you just described most of his books in a nutshell, what's so strange about this one?" Let's start counting, what's not so common. First, it has nothing to do with space or galaxies or universe or whatever - all action unfolds here, on Earth. Second, it is not set in a distant future: sure, it is some 80 or 100 years from now, but that's nothing major compared to his other books. Third, there is no great technological advancement or scientific breakthrough in this novel, just a bit of advancement, which is logically predictable even now or already accomplished. And I've overviewed only the setting. But what surprised me most, was that the bigger half of this novel actually was a simple detective story. Never before have I read a book of my sci-fi guru Jack Lawrence Chalker, which pretended to be a cheap thriller.
Furthermore, most of the characters are simply not interesting, dull and boring, and you simply do not care about them. Protagonists are mediocre at best, considering they have to compete with buddies like Nathan Brazil of Well World saga or Mr. Confederacy Agent from The Four Lords of The Diamond series, and villains are plain dumb and, well, not evil enough. The end is one of the most anticlimactic I have ever read, and the pace of whole novel is so slow, that it was painful to read at moments.
On the good side, this novel touches some serious issues of genetic engineering and the downsides of it. Jack's rich, descriptive style of writing remains, as well as his humor.
To sum up, this might not be the right book if you are not familiar with this writer - it is much better to read those series mentioned before, as it is the best this author can offer, but if you are already acquainted with him or looking for some soft sci-fi with features of detective, read it. It just might surprise you - one way, or another.
Now I hear you saying: "yeah, you just described most of his books in a nutshell, what's so strange about this one?" Let's start counting, what's not so common. First, it has nothing to do with space or galaxies or universe or whatever - all action unfolds here, on Earth. Second, it is not set in a distant future: sure, it is some 80 or 100 years from now, but that's nothing major compared to his other books. Third, there is no great technological advancement or scientific breakthrough in this novel, just a bit of advancement, which is logically predictable even now or already accomplished. And I've overviewed only the setting. But what surprised me most, was that the bigger half of this novel actually was a simple detective story. Never before have I read a book of my sci-fi guru Jack Lawrence Chalker, which pretended to be a cheap thriller.
Furthermore, most of the characters are simply not interesting, dull and boring, and you simply do not care about them. Protagonists are mediocre at best, considering they have to compete with buddies like Nathan Brazil of Well World saga or Mr. Confederacy Agent from The Four Lords of The Diamond series, and villains are plain dumb and, well, not evil enough. The end is one of the most anticlimactic I have ever read, and the pace of whole novel is so slow, that it was painful to read at moments.
On the good side, this novel touches some serious issues of genetic engineering and the downsides of it. Jack's rich, descriptive style of writing remains, as well as his humor.
To sum up, this might not be the right book if you are not familiar with this writer - it is much better to read those series mentioned before, as it is the best this author can offer, but if you are already acquainted with him or looking for some soft sci-fi with features of detective, read it. It just might surprise you - one way, or another.
February 27, 2016
This book was very interesting and addresses several important bioethical issues. Unfortunately, the narrator is highly unlikable, and the story's setting is a strange, pseudo-futuristic society that reads too much like a speculative future predicted in the 80's. Overall, I hated the narrator. However, by the middle of the book, I was more than willing to put up with the narrator's POV in order to learn more of the interesting plot.
December 31, 2018
A few years ago I went to the annual meeting of the Americna Association for the Advancement of Science at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in DC. I grabbed a book by Jack Chalker to read on the train, and it was this...a SF book about a murder that takes place at a AAAS meeting at the Marriott Wardman Park in DC.
Even without the eeerie coincidence I would have said it was a really enjoyable, well-written and well-plotted book.
In February 2019 the AAAS will be meeting again at the Marriott in DC, so I decided it was time to reread the book. It was just as good this time around, and I am very sorry the book is not still in print!!! That is what ebook publishing is for!
I am going to the AAAS meeting in February, too, but I am going to watch out for anyone who looks somewhat mutant.
It is worth reading even if you do not go to AAAS meetings, if you like a good imaginative SF read.
Even without the eeerie coincidence I would have said it was a really enjoyable, well-written and well-plotted book.
In February 2019 the AAAS will be meeting again at the Marriott in DC, so I decided it was time to reread the book. It was just as good this time around, and I am very sorry the book is not still in print!!! That is what ebook publishing is for!
I am going to the AAAS meeting in February, too, but I am going to watch out for anyone who looks somewhat mutant.
It is worth reading even if you do not go to AAAS meetings, if you like a good imaginative SF read.
April 23, 2021
This is a fun stand alone story, yet for a fan of Jack L. Chalker's Rings of the Master series, this book almost feels like a prequel - almost the story of the beginnings of Master System.
A fun adult fiction/fantasy story that is among the stories that has helped to shape my own writing style.
A fun adult fiction/fantasy story that is among the stories that has helped to shape my own writing style.
December 28, 2018
Well written but ultimately very boring.
April 7, 2019
A nice beach read if you like sci-fi. More science and reality than his Change Winds series.
November 19, 2021
Too predictable.
And too many similarities to 'The Night Staker' with an X-File(ish) Investigative News Reporter.
And too many similarities to 'The Night Staker' with an X-File(ish) Investigative News Reporter.
February 28, 2014
The idea behind this science-fiction novel should probably seem obvious from the title. One perceives some kind of genetic manipulation as in the famous classic, The Island of Dr. Moreau. Yet, H. G. Wells’ The Invisible Man (p. 75) and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (p. 139) are both suggested before Verne’s classic (also on p. 139). The Moreau Factor plays off a vast conspiracy loosely based off the Human Genome Project that is uncovered by a throwback to the era of investigative journalism a la Woodward and Bernstein. Even so, the journalist has a bit of pragmatism under his print journalistic ideals. When one person apologizes for using the old “One picture is worth a thousand words” cliché, he responds, “Yes, and we still put the big photo on page one.” (p. 272) As I used to tell my editors, we want to use all the words we need, but pictures give weight to stories (unless, of course, they are overused). I also liked his not-so-subtle journalistic advice: “Never volunteer information, and always act toward everybody as if you really belonged there.” (p. 63)
Jack Chalker’s most famous series of novels dealt with the Well World, a massive world in which a multiverse of cultures are placed side-by-side in self-contained environs and which his protagonist, Nathan Brazil, traverses these cultures to put together the fascinating mystery. One of the things I loved about that series was the great diversity in life-forms, hybrids, and cultures which Chalker created.
In fact, I appropriated many of his ideas for a Traveller role-playing campaign set in my custom universe. In terms of fascinating life-forms, The Moreau Factor is the closest thing I’ve experienced to those fresh, intriguing, and unexpected creations of the Well World series. In fact, I like The Moreau Factor even better because it weaves ethics into the discussion. “I guess that, as long as each of us, deep down thinks we’re immune from what gets everybody else, we’ll always be susceptible to what gets us individually.” (pp. 50-51)
Add a little political commentary and The Moreau Factor really takes flight. I was intrigued by the attitude of local law enforcement to the Feds when they all pulled together as one trooper called, “Black Ford alert!” (p. 66) I could just see it happening. I also liked the question asked by the protagonist, “What were the Black Squads of our government but secret technology police?” (p. 102) In fact, it is amazing that in a novel written in 1999—prior to 9-11 and more than a decade before the Snowden leaks—I would read: “…at the NSA. There, the agency that had been reading everybody’s mail and listening to everybody’s calls for generations…” (p. 290)
My favorite line in the book has something to do with a cross between epistemology and theology. “What is the truth? The most famous guy to ask that question had first declared his prisoner innocent, then nailed him to a cross.” (pp. 319-20) What a great line! Frankly, I found The Moreau Factor to be provocative, well-written, and thrilling throughout. Considering that I finished it in the midst of jet lag after an exhausting trip, I believe that is a high recommendation.
Jack Chalker’s most famous series of novels dealt with the Well World, a massive world in which a multiverse of cultures are placed side-by-side in self-contained environs and which his protagonist, Nathan Brazil, traverses these cultures to put together the fascinating mystery. One of the things I loved about that series was the great diversity in life-forms, hybrids, and cultures which Chalker created.
In fact, I appropriated many of his ideas for a Traveller role-playing campaign set in my custom universe. In terms of fascinating life-forms, The Moreau Factor is the closest thing I’ve experienced to those fresh, intriguing, and unexpected creations of the Well World series. In fact, I like The Moreau Factor even better because it weaves ethics into the discussion. “I guess that, as long as each of us, deep down thinks we’re immune from what gets everybody else, we’ll always be susceptible to what gets us individually.” (pp. 50-51)
Add a little political commentary and The Moreau Factor really takes flight. I was intrigued by the attitude of local law enforcement to the Feds when they all pulled together as one trooper called, “Black Ford alert!” (p. 66) I could just see it happening. I also liked the question asked by the protagonist, “What were the Black Squads of our government but secret technology police?” (p. 102) In fact, it is amazing that in a novel written in 1999—prior to 9-11 and more than a decade before the Snowden leaks—I would read: “…at the NSA. There, the agency that had been reading everybody’s mail and listening to everybody’s calls for generations…” (p. 290)
My favorite line in the book has something to do with a cross between epistemology and theology. “What is the truth? The most famous guy to ask that question had first declared his prisoner innocent, then nailed him to a cross.” (pp. 319-20) What a great line! Frankly, I found The Moreau Factor to be provocative, well-written, and thrilling throughout. Considering that I finished it in the midst of jet lag after an exhausting trip, I believe that is a high recommendation.
March 12, 2015
If you've read much of Jack L. Chalker's works, you'll understand how something related to H.G. Wells' "The Island of Dr. Moreau" might appeal to him. Thus, we've got Chalker's "The Moreau Factor." It's an interesting plot coupled with some of the very serious issues that our technology is presenting us with. I enjoyed it quite a bit. But, it does suffer from some problems. First, there are some editing issues. Oh, not things like misspelled words or grammar. Instead, there are discontinuities where it looks like he wrote the book for a bit and then stopped for a while. Then, when he picked it up again, he didn't re-read the earlier stuff and we get either duplicate or contradicting information. More subtly, the tone of the book changes. The first few chapters feel more gritty and less high-tech than I'd have expected from Chalker. After that, things feel smoother and much higher tech. And then, the remainder of the book reads more like Chalker's other works (i.e., very high tech and centering around personal transformation). This isn't a major problem, but it does jar a bit. More bothersome is that even though, by the end, we learn who's doing what to whom and why, I still have problems with it. There are much easier, cheaper, and less messy ways of solving the problems the antagonists were facing than what they chose. To me, it looks like they chose these methods because that's what Chalker likes to write about. But, even with that, I found the story to be a good one. So, I'm rating the book (with some slight misgivings) at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5.
March 11, 2022
A good example of how to write a near future technothriller that doesn't become instantly dated. Chalker doesn't go into the tech in any great detail, just talks about its effects on those it impacts. There's a few anachronisms, but they are very minor and don't jump out at you.
A cynical old reporter and a young cub reporter expose the misdoings of the very powerful in regards to genetic engineering. OK characters, a well paced plot and an exciting ending make for a decent read.
A cynical old reporter and a young cub reporter expose the misdoings of the very powerful in regards to genetic engineering. OK characters, a well paced plot and an exciting ending make for a decent read.
July 17, 2012
It's been a while since I read a new-to-me Chalker. This one was set closet to the present day than most of his stuff and starts out like a mystery/investigative journalism story, but it turns out more like his other books by the end. I still enjoyed it. Probably won't reread it.
August 25, 2009
Read recently. Haven't read a Chalker in years. Still enjoyed it, but a lot of derivative stuff he's done before.
June 10, 2011
I really enjoyed this book! I am starting to like Chalker more and more.
June 22, 2017
Not quite the Well World, but it'll do.
May 28, 2014
The Moreau Factor has all of the makings of a Hollywood special effects sci fi picture... meaning it is just so-so at best.
January 10, 2016
Very boring and disappointing book. Started intriguing and drifted into average-quality jabber. Completed it just through the strength of my will not to leave the first book of 2016 unfinished.
February 14, 2016
loved the novel, would make an excellent movie or hbo drama series.
February 25, 2016
good idea but disappointing,could have been a lot better.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews