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Nothing Human
"Told from the perspective of several generations of teenagers, this science fiction novel involves an Earth ravaged by mankind, high-tech manipulative aliens, and advanced genetics. Early in the 21st century, global warming has caused sickness and death among plants, animals, and humans. Suddenly aliens contact and genetically modify a group of 14-year-olds, inviting them to visit their spacecraft. After several months of living among the aliens and studying genetics, the students discover that the aliens have been manipulating them and rebel. Upon their return to Earth, the girls in the group discover that they are pregnant and can only wonder what form their unborn children will take. Generations later, the offspring of these children seek to use their alien knowledge to change their genetic code, to allow them to live and prosper in an environment that is quickly becoming uninhabitable from the dual scourges of global warming and biowarfare. But after all the generations of change, will the genetically modified creatures resemble their ancestors, or will nothing human remain?"
300 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
10 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Kress
453 books901 followersNancy Kress is an American science fiction writer. She began writing in 1976 but has achieved her greatest notice since the publication of her Hugo and Nebula-winning 1991 novella
Beggars in Spain
which was later expanded into a novel with the same title. In addition to her novels, Kress has written numerous short stories and is a regular columnist for Writer's Digest. She is a regular at Clarion writing workshops and at The Writers Center in Bethesda, Maryland. During the Winter of 2008/09, Nancy Kress is the Picador Guest Professor for Literature at the University of Leipzig's Institute for American Studies in Leipzig, Germany.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 3, 2009
First, it's unsettling that only 5,000 copies of this book exist. It's one of Kress's better novels. Secondly, as a 'warning parable', it is the nth iteration in the SF genre of the destructive potential of rapid technology change, and the modern world's general obliviousness to this risk. Kress has given interviews (I believe with Rick Kleffel via podcast) on her realization that virtually no popular public discourse or interest exists on the rapidly evolving science and applications of genetic engineering (for stronger parables see Niven's The Draco Tavern ). Historically there is a precedent. At the beginning of WW1, Europe's youth by-in-large willingly participated in the mass mobilization that activated across several countries. 4 years later a 'lost generation' (e.g. 1 in 7 french men between the ages of 17 and 21 died) resulted. That youth was woefully ignorant of two technological advances of the day, the machine gun and poison gas. Ignorance is oblivion, not bliss.
Kress's novel is tightly written, strong characterization, several distinct and interwoven plotlines. Enjoyable, insightful, under-recognized.
Kress's novel is tightly written, strong characterization, several distinct and interwoven plotlines. Enjoyable, insightful, under-recognized.
January 14, 2014
Sometimes, occasionally, I lament the fact that goodreads does not allow ratings in fractions.
This book deserves five stars.
I personally cant give it that, but I would give it 4.5 if I could.
I can't quite manage five though for a reason that is fairly rare. Despite the fact that I enjoy dystopian novels and exceptionally dark fantasy/SciFi, this novel disturbs me. That is a good thing, especially considering that this novel is, beyond anything else, a philosophical text. Nonetheless, my pleasure in reading the book was a little diminished by house stark and depressing it turns out to be. The repeated loss of human dignity, individuality, and freedom of choice is something that morally affronts me. There is absolutely no relenting in this novel, and the dystopian feel is taken to an extreme that I have rarely seen. Even the ending, which does, practically speaking, end on a positive note reflects nothing less than the loss of humanity, or, depending on your perspective, the lack of humanity to begin with. In short, the hopelessness and futility of all action in the face of inexorable change.
Even the novels continued explanation of our destruction of the Earth strikes a little too close to home. There were multiple points throughout this novel in which I was forced to recognise that, though this novel was written several years ago, and its predictions were truly based solely on slim evidence and pessimistic views, much of what it says is coming true. It is rare to read a dystopian novel that seems so incredibly likely and frighteningly potential. All of that being said though, the ideas are excellent, the riding skillful, and the philosophy interesting. This is an exceptional novel that I am glad to have read
This book deserves five stars.
I personally cant give it that, but I would give it 4.5 if I could.
I can't quite manage five though for a reason that is fairly rare. Despite the fact that I enjoy dystopian novels and exceptionally dark fantasy/SciFi, this novel disturbs me. That is a good thing, especially considering that this novel is, beyond anything else, a philosophical text. Nonetheless, my pleasure in reading the book was a little diminished by house stark and depressing it turns out to be. The repeated loss of human dignity, individuality, and freedom of choice is something that morally affronts me. There is absolutely no relenting in this novel, and the dystopian feel is taken to an extreme that I have rarely seen. Even the ending, which does, practically speaking, end on a positive note reflects nothing less than the loss of humanity, or, depending on your perspective, the lack of humanity to begin with. In short, the hopelessness and futility of all action in the face of inexorable change.
Even the novels continued explanation of our destruction of the Earth strikes a little too close to home. There were multiple points throughout this novel in which I was forced to recognise that, though this novel was written several years ago, and its predictions were truly based solely on slim evidence and pessimistic views, much of what it says is coming true. It is rare to read a dystopian novel that seems so incredibly likely and frighteningly potential. All of that being said though, the ideas are excellent, the riding skillful, and the philosophy interesting. This is an exceptional novel that I am glad to have read
May 12, 2015
I was excited to read this book but it ended up being a letdown. Good premise, awful delivery. The pacing was eh, the dialogue wasn't much better (especially when AAVE was introduced). Topics like abortion, sexuality, and race were brought up and handled with all the subtlety of a lead balloon (with all the characters finding heterosexual cisgender love except the lesbian, of course and only the brown people described by their skin color). Give it a miss.
December 4, 2013
This is one of the most disturbing posthuman science fiction stories I've ever read (that's a good thing). In Nothing Human, aliens known as the "pribir" arrive in 2005, just as humanity is beginning to tinker with genetic engineering in earnest. Having prepared for their arrival by tweaking the genes of several in vitro babies, all of whom are now thirteen years old, the pribir communicate by sending olfactory information (smells) that these "pribir children" can receive as images. After a rocky start (the pribir destroy an orbiting nuclear power plant because it "isn't the right way" and "harms our genes"), the pribir share a cure to cancer and malaria. But it all starts to go wrong when some of the pribir children elect to go aboard the pribir spaceship....
Although nominally set Twenty Minutes into the Future, I describe Nothing Human as posthuman fiction because it deals with the motifs of humanity, genetics, and evolution. At its core, the novel asks the question "what does it mean 'to be human'?" by looking at the effects of genetic modification on a microcosm of the human species. Nancy Kress also touches on the concept of directing the evolution of one's own species.
These issues are becoming increasingly relevant to contemporary society. We've sequenced the human genome and are taking the steps toward developing viable gene therapy. It's only a matter of time before we have the capability to radically alter ourselves on the genetic level. Nicolas Wade briefly mentions this in the last chapter of Before the Dawn, his genetic history of humanity. One of the possible futures for humanity he postulates is a trend toward greater diversity within the species. Kress takes the idea and runs with it, for the pribir aren't as "alien" as we first think. In fact, they claim to be descended from humans, taken from Earth by real aliens, whose evolution was then accelerated. We only meet two pribir individuals; they look human but claim this was an intentional decision to appear less threatening to the humans of Earth. This and several other events imply that physical forms among the pribir vary immensely.
The idea of one's physical form--that is, the expression of one's genome--dictating whether or not one is human recurs throughout Nothing Human. Although the pribir appear human, they clearly have abilities beyond the ordinary humans of Earth. The pribir children, and their children, display similar (but not as great) abilities, such as an enhanced immune system. For all their tinkering, the pribir claim they're trying to help humanity survive the human-made ecological disaster on Earth, through genetic adaptation and directed evolution. Yet when they propose drastic measures that result in the birth of children who look and communicate in drastically non-human ways, the reader has to wonder: is this saving the human race or subsuming it?
Obsessed as they are with saving humanity, the pribir seldom pause to consider what is human. "Mostly human genes" is a good enough explanation for them. Other characters consider whether humanity is conferred through memory, thought and personality, culture, other traits that are not purely biological. In either case, the definitions always seem inadequate. This reminds us that the boundaries among species are not as stark as anthropologists and zoologists always make them appear. We only consider ourselves distinct from our evolutionary predecessors because they're long gone and we remain (so far). If "more primitive" human beings still lived somewhere, would we consider them human? Where do we draw the line?
I know I keep going on about the pribir, but honestly, I found them quite fascinating in their role as alien benefactors. We only meet two: Pete and Pam. And unlike the ethereal, serene, wise aliens we always see on television and movies, Pete and Pam are quite immature, even childish by our standards. They repeatedly lament humanity's stupidity and the unanticipated ability of Earth's nations to destroy each other and squander their natural resources. Pam in particular seems bewildered by the animosity toward the pribir's attempt to help put humanity on the path to "the right way." I loved this portrayal of the alien benefactors as petty and unsympathetic, dangerous more because they're so ineffectual than because of any malevolence on their part.
Additionally, Pete and Pam seem to have trouble understanding or anticipating the behaviour of the humans they're trying to help, demonstrating a remarkable detachment from "contemporary" human society's mores. Before I judge them based on this fact, however, I have to stop and wonder what it would be like if our positions were reversed. Suppose I ended up among an ancient civilization, with little information on that civilization's attitudes toward issues like abortion, childbirth, science, etc.? Suppose I'd only been monitoring that civilization through its cultural outlets for a couple of decades (like Pete and Pam do with television broadcasts), and as a result, my information is slightly dated or skewed. It's fair to say I'd probably find many of their customs barbaric by my standards. Still, the amount of alienness of Pete and Pam is disconcerting at times, for several reasons. The most important reason, however, is the most chilling: in a few centuries, assuming humanity survives as a species, we could be them.
Alongside the not-quite-alien pribir, the regular and modified human characters seem like they are portrayed in Technicolour. All of their actions take on a new level of meaning along a continuum: there are those who end up supporting the efforts of the pribir (ultimately Lillie) and those who reject the pribir and their proposed solution (most notably, some of Lillie's children). Kress plays up the moral ambiguity, and to good effect: I couldn't really side with one camp or the other on this issue. Ideally I found myself wishing for a magic bullet that would let the species stay the same even as dangerous toxins built up in Earth's animal and plant life; of course, Kress had no interest in taking the easy way out.
Indeed, Nothing Human asks only tough questions, questions that have no easy answer. It is a superb thought experiment involving genetics, ecology, and alien encounters. I found it difficult to become attached to any of the characters, yet that didn't stop me from enjoying the book's plot or its themes. I definitely recommend this to anyone open to science fiction.
Although nominally set Twenty Minutes into the Future, I describe Nothing Human as posthuman fiction because it deals with the motifs of humanity, genetics, and evolution. At its core, the novel asks the question "what does it mean 'to be human'?" by looking at the effects of genetic modification on a microcosm of the human species. Nancy Kress also touches on the concept of directing the evolution of one's own species.
These issues are becoming increasingly relevant to contemporary society. We've sequenced the human genome and are taking the steps toward developing viable gene therapy. It's only a matter of time before we have the capability to radically alter ourselves on the genetic level. Nicolas Wade briefly mentions this in the last chapter of Before the Dawn, his genetic history of humanity. One of the possible futures for humanity he postulates is a trend toward greater diversity within the species. Kress takes the idea and runs with it, for the pribir aren't as "alien" as we first think. In fact, they claim to be descended from humans, taken from Earth by real aliens, whose evolution was then accelerated. We only meet two pribir individuals; they look human but claim this was an intentional decision to appear less threatening to the humans of Earth. This and several other events imply that physical forms among the pribir vary immensely.
The idea of one's physical form--that is, the expression of one's genome--dictating whether or not one is human recurs throughout Nothing Human. Although the pribir appear human, they clearly have abilities beyond the ordinary humans of Earth. The pribir children, and their children, display similar (but not as great) abilities, such as an enhanced immune system. For all their tinkering, the pribir claim they're trying to help humanity survive the human-made ecological disaster on Earth, through genetic adaptation and directed evolution. Yet when they propose drastic measures that result in the birth of children who look and communicate in drastically non-human ways, the reader has to wonder: is this saving the human race or subsuming it?
Obsessed as they are with saving humanity, the pribir seldom pause to consider what is human. "Mostly human genes" is a good enough explanation for them. Other characters consider whether humanity is conferred through memory, thought and personality, culture, other traits that are not purely biological. In either case, the definitions always seem inadequate. This reminds us that the boundaries among species are not as stark as anthropologists and zoologists always make them appear. We only consider ourselves distinct from our evolutionary predecessors because they're long gone and we remain (so far). If "more primitive" human beings still lived somewhere, would we consider them human? Where do we draw the line?
I know I keep going on about the pribir, but honestly, I found them quite fascinating in their role as alien benefactors. We only meet two: Pete and Pam. And unlike the ethereal, serene, wise aliens we always see on television and movies, Pete and Pam are quite immature, even childish by our standards. They repeatedly lament humanity's stupidity and the unanticipated ability of Earth's nations to destroy each other and squander their natural resources. Pam in particular seems bewildered by the animosity toward the pribir's attempt to help put humanity on the path to "the right way." I loved this portrayal of the alien benefactors as petty and unsympathetic, dangerous more because they're so ineffectual than because of any malevolence on their part.
Additionally, Pete and Pam seem to have trouble understanding or anticipating the behaviour of the humans they're trying to help, demonstrating a remarkable detachment from "contemporary" human society's mores. Before I judge them based on this fact, however, I have to stop and wonder what it would be like if our positions were reversed. Suppose I ended up among an ancient civilization, with little information on that civilization's attitudes toward issues like abortion, childbirth, science, etc.? Suppose I'd only been monitoring that civilization through its cultural outlets for a couple of decades (like Pete and Pam do with television broadcasts), and as a result, my information is slightly dated or skewed. It's fair to say I'd probably find many of their customs barbaric by my standards. Still, the amount of alienness of Pete and Pam is disconcerting at times, for several reasons. The most important reason, however, is the most chilling: in a few centuries, assuming humanity survives as a species, we could be them.
Alongside the not-quite-alien pribir, the regular and modified human characters seem like they are portrayed in Technicolour. All of their actions take on a new level of meaning along a continuum: there are those who end up supporting the efforts of the pribir (ultimately Lillie) and those who reject the pribir and their proposed solution (most notably, some of Lillie's children). Kress plays up the moral ambiguity, and to good effect: I couldn't really side with one camp or the other on this issue. Ideally I found myself wishing for a magic bullet that would let the species stay the same even as dangerous toxins built up in Earth's animal and plant life; of course, Kress had no interest in taking the easy way out.
Indeed, Nothing Human asks only tough questions, questions that have no easy answer. It is a superb thought experiment involving genetics, ecology, and alien encounters. I found it difficult to become attached to any of the characters, yet that didn't stop me from enjoying the book's plot or its themes. I definitely recommend this to anyone open to science fiction.
March 11, 2020
Usually where Kress shines is in her ideas even if the execution of them isn't perfect so I was pretty unpleasantly surprised when this book turned out to be just a cheap Xenogenesis series ripoff. Also the way the gay character and some of the characters of color are written is incredibly uncomfortable.
August 31, 2009
I haven't read Nancy Kress she is one of the best out there now. While this was no Beggars in Spain, it was one of among the better of her books that has I have read that has to do with genetic engineering. The plot surrounds children who are genetically engineered to interact with these aliens who then genetically engineer their children to better deal with a world dealing with a catastrophic climate change.
It is a fairly easy read book, though if your going to go the whole DNA, RNA route I'd like to see more detail on genetics but maybe I am just a nerd. Realism points are awarded for not engaging in hyperspace travel, but instead correctly employing time dilation, which is my favorite plot device as well as my favorite effect of relativity.
It is a fairly easy read book, though if your going to go the whole DNA, RNA route I'd like to see more detail on genetics but maybe I am just a nerd. Realism points are awarded for not engaging in hyperspace travel, but instead correctly employing time dilation, which is my favorite plot device as well as my favorite effect of relativity.
April 14, 2013
i've only read the first few pages .... i wouldn't describe them as a stellar opening for a story. however, last year i read Kress's During the Fall, Before the Fall, After the Fall (i think i have that in the right order). it was a fresh interesting approach to the post-apocalyptic story .... one that actually incorporated science fiction ... so yay! it was a great read so i am going to have faith in Ms Kress's ability as a writer. onward ho!
oh Ms. Kress ... you have definitely won me over. as the book progresses it sheds the early vibe of a Y.A. novel and more and more becomes just what i was looking for ....
this was a fun and interesting read ... not overly challenging ... i mean it is hardly a hard sci fi, but it includes enough science and enough thought provoking ideas that it is very satisfying.
yep. it started kind of soft but i ended up enjoying it a lot.
oh Ms. Kress ... you have definitely won me over. as the book progresses it sheds the early vibe of a Y.A. novel and more and more becomes just what i was looking for ....
this was a fun and interesting read ... not overly challenging ... i mean it is hardly a hard sci fi, but it includes enough science and enough thought provoking ideas that it is very satisfying.
yep. it started kind of soft but i ended up enjoying it a lot.
August 7, 2015
Good entertaining read... however I felt it was derivative of Octavia Butler's work, particularly reminiscent of Clay's Ark and Lilith's Brood series.
December 11, 2008
What, Julian gives five stars to a human/alien contact post-apocalyptic novel that's really smart about social stuff too and is by Nancy Kress? Who would have guessed! I enjoyed this one a lot.
July 11, 2019
Upon rereading this one, I found myself liking it even more than the first time (earlier review below). First, I no longer find the premises as absurd as I did the first time through. Perhaps the intervening political chaos we've been through has given me a new perspective on what counts as absurd. Second, the thinness of some of the characters no longer troubles me. There are way too many characters to do each of them justice, what with multiple generations of adolescent girls bearing three babies at a time and all. Lillie's last children are still my favorites. Most important, the questions Kress asks are still vitally important, perhaps more so than before, given how we, as a nation, have been treating so very many people. Add to this Kress' treatment of GMO's. And she isn't talking just food.
My increased love for this book has got me thinking that I'll have to give Beggar's in Spain another try. In fact, I just grabbed it for my Kindle.
2015 review: This book hinges on some, well, absurd premises. However, if one is willing to suspend disbelief, there is a terrific story here, one that is hard to put down. Many of the characters are quite well drawn--one thinks not only of only the unquestionably human characters, but also the pribir--while others are more thin; my favorites are Lillie's last children, who we really don't get to know all that well, since these children are introduced late in the tale. None the less, they are the most interesting people in the story. Beyond the story Kress tells, and the characters who live it, are the questions she asks: Where are the boundaries between human and something else; what does it mean to be human? And, does it matter?
My increased love for this book has got me thinking that I'll have to give Beggar's in Spain another try. In fact, I just grabbed it for my Kindle.
2015 review: This book hinges on some, well, absurd premises. However, if one is willing to suspend disbelief, there is a terrific story here, one that is hard to put down. Many of the characters are quite well drawn--one thinks not only of only the unquestionably human characters, but also the pribir--while others are more thin; my favorites are Lillie's last children, who we really don't get to know all that well, since these children are introduced late in the tale. None the less, they are the most interesting people in the story. Beyond the story Kress tells, and the characters who live it, are the questions she asks: Where are the boundaries between human and something else; what does it mean to be human? And, does it matter?
August 6, 2014
Once again, a fascinating apocalyptic premise borne out by an interesting storytelling structure. It's very intriguing to consider how we as a species could evolve to survive a slow apocalypse, especially if "guided" by an alien "human" species. I didn't like this book as much as I liked "After the Fall, Before the Fall, etc." for various reasons:
--the ebook copy that I got from Amazon was, for some reason, not a finished copy. There were a lot of typos, to the point that it was detracting.
--the book was told in three parts and from various perspectives. I think the story would've been told better just from Lillie's perspective, as she was the one character that all the parts and perspectives had in common.
--there seemed, at times, to be a slightly moralistic tone. While it made sense that moral issues would arise in the context of the story (e.g. impregnation by an alien species), and that these issues might be dealt with differently or more frequently as the extinction of the human race seems more and more inevitable, the characters talked about them as if they were from the here and now, not the future.
All in all, though, a very thought-provoking read.
--the ebook copy that I got from Amazon was, for some reason, not a finished copy. There were a lot of typos, to the point that it was detracting.
--the book was told in three parts and from various perspectives. I think the story would've been told better just from Lillie's perspective, as she was the one character that all the parts and perspectives had in common.
--there seemed, at times, to be a slightly moralistic tone. While it made sense that moral issues would arise in the context of the story (e.g. impregnation by an alien species), and that these issues might be dealt with differently or more frequently as the extinction of the human race seems more and more inevitable, the characters talked about them as if they were from the here and now, not the future.
All in all, though, a very thought-provoking read.
October 7, 2015
Kris's almost always writes about aspects of human life which interest me and this is no exception. She has a way of turning an intellectual concept into a compelling story and well worth reading. I really liked the set up and character development in this novel. It's quite a feat to create characters which are sympathetic across time and through conflicts which arise between different people we've felt empathy for in the past.
I think it's cool that I felt so strongly for those the most changed but that may have as much to do with my own experiences as an outsider as the way Kress wrote this but not entirely. I appreciate her ability to see outside of societal norms.
I think it's cool that I felt so strongly for those the most changed but that may have as much to do with my own experiences as an outsider as the way Kress wrote this but not entirely. I appreciate her ability to see outside of societal norms.
June 1, 2017
Dark and disturbing apocalyptic sci-fi novel.
Positive elements: Wonderful sense of despair and inevitability. Interesting discussion of what "being human" means. Asks tough questions.
Negative elements: If it were a goofy alien sci-fi thriller, I would overlook inaccurate science explanations, but this novel takes itself too seriously to get a free pass. Plot elements are introduced and never resolved. The pacing is all over the place. Plot has many holes.
I would recommend to sci-fi lovers who don't care too much about scientific accuracy, and to people who enjoy philosophical musings.
Positive elements: Wonderful sense of despair and inevitability. Interesting discussion of what "being human" means. Asks tough questions.
Negative elements: If it were a goofy alien sci-fi thriller, I would overlook inaccurate science explanations, but this novel takes itself too seriously to get a free pass. Plot elements are introduced and never resolved. The pacing is all over the place. Plot has many holes.
I would recommend to sci-fi lovers who don't care too much about scientific accuracy, and to people who enjoy philosophical musings.
August 29, 2007
This is probably Kress's least-known novel, which is a real shame since I believe that it may well be her best. It's a very bleak depiction of the the effects of global warming, biowarfare, over-population, etc. and the choices that those consequences force. Spanning a hundred years, the ultimate question is whether the forced adaptations leave humanity or something different entirely. A very well-written, thought-provoking novel.
February 18, 2010
One of the most under-appreciated books I've seen. First book that drew me into the science fiction genre. A bit strange at first, but plotted up to something nice. A bit futuristic based on the time period the novel was written in. Don't really want to get tooooo much into it for fear of ruining the book for others. But there is much to learn through this book. Pains of loss, deep human emotions, embracing the unknown, true love, tolerance of differences, and forgiving and forgetting.
February 20, 2011
Like every Nancy Kress book I've read, this is a wonderful combination of compelling plot and well-drawn characters. Kress' science fiction (in this case, genetic engineering & the effects of global warming) sets up the background situation, but what drives the book are its characters. And what lingers long after the book is done is a number of unanswered questions. For example, what determines whether someone is human or not (hence the title)?
August 19, 2017
Four and a half stars. Nancy Kress's futures deliver that sense of wonder that I expect in good science fiction. Nothing Human -- about global disaster caused by biowars and climate change, alongside alien intervention (or perhaps invasion) -- has chilling genetic consequences. There are echoes of Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis novels here, but this one is still very very different.
June 10, 2009
Despite the obvious themes of alien contact and the ethics of genetic engineering, I would have to say that the primary idea that Kress seems to dwell upon is the nature/definition of humanity. It is interesting literary brain fodder to think about in relation to current advancements in science and technology.
September 8, 2012
Nancy Kress is always thought-provoking. This dystopian novel is a bit reminiscent of Octavia E Butler's Dawn trilogy, with its themes of what does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be a family? And what happens if your children are not really the same species? Disturbing at times, but not horrifying. There's always a hopefulness at the core of Kress' books.
April 19, 2015
This started out fairly bland, and while the character development could use some more depth, this book really made me think hard.
Essentially it addresses the idea that at some point "it's for your own good" outweighs "I have a right to autonomy." Some of the violations of consent it depicts are frankly terrifying and creeped me out. I feel super unsettled.
Essentially it addresses the idea that at some point "it's for your own good" outweighs "I have a right to autonomy." Some of the violations of consent it depicts are frankly terrifying and creeped me out. I feel super unsettled.
July 28, 2008
Kress does alien life well and she also has insight into questions about the definition of humanity, especially with regard to the enhancements that may take humans to the next stage and the reaction of "ordinary" people to those with enhancements. c.f. the Beggars in Spain trilogy.
January 7, 2010
While I liked her Sleepless series better, this one was a fun read. I found it interesting that I was so reminded of Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis series as I read Nothing Human.
June 14, 2010
This book is amazing! All of her books blow my mind -- she is one of the most talented plotters of all time.
August 14, 2017
Pam and Pete reminded me of Octavia Butler's Oankali in some respects.
August 6, 2011
I read it in one sitting, couldn’t put it down but I was a bit disappointed on how it ended.
January 4, 2012
A biopunk generations novel about aliens sticking their noses into our gene pool. A good read alike for fans of Butler. And seriouisly, that cover is boss.
January 7, 2014
Big concepts, good characters, well-written. Classed as sci-fi but it's so much more. I recommend Nancy Kress to any of you who like sci-fi with ideas, not just action.
January 29, 2016
genetic engineering
May 21, 2025
Je ne sais pas exactement ou je dois commencer, mais j'ai trouvé ce livre extrément intréssant, même si j'ai pas vraiment l'aimé. Je l'ai choisi originement parce que j'avais besoin d'un livre avec plusiers parts, mais après avois lu, je pense qui est plus approprié pour l'invite de lecture "biopunk" parce qur ce livre sur concentré sur le génie génétique après et avant une geurre et le rechauffment globale. En réalité je donne ce livre 3.5 étoiles, mais j'avais pas cette option. Je n'étais pas particularment attaché au aucune des personages et près de la fin du livre j'en eu vraiment marre du personnage principle Lilly. Et tout le sexe entre des enfant de quatorze ans était vraiment bizzare, je comprends le raisonnement et le but pour l'intrigue, mais les enfants auraient pu avoir seize ans ou au moins quinze. Et avec toute la technologie qu'ils avaient je ne sais pas ils avaient besoin d'avoir les relations sexuelle du tout, au moins pas à bord le vaisseau spatial, mais wesh, c'était tojours divertissant.
March 30, 2020
I am a molecular biologist, working daily with genetic engineering and diseases.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book and the science in it.
Nancy Kress is one of the very few authors that are writing this kind of Sci-Fi, more related to the present technology transposed into this weird future, and I thank her for that.
Let me be clear, the book is enjoyable also in the second half, but I felt it could have been written with way less words and repetitions.
This is no Hugo award winning book but I advice to at least consider it.
I fell Nancy Kress might going to be one of the first authors for a new era of sci fi.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book and the science in it.
Nancy Kress is one of the very few authors that are writing this kind of Sci-Fi, more related to the present technology transposed into this weird future, and I thank her for that.
Let me be clear, the book is enjoyable also in the second half, but I felt it could have been written with way less words and repetitions.
This is no Hugo award winning book but I advice to at least consider it.
I fell Nancy Kress might going to be one of the first authors for a new era of sci fi.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews