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The Experiment
Dr Victor Schiller, intent on helping humanity, is conducting experiments in genetic manipulation. But when he starts to suspect that the technology he has invented may breed a race of super-killers instead, he vows to destroy his human test subjects - and their offspring.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 27, 2022
This is by far one of the best medical thrillers I have ever read.
I have read real life accounts of the Nazi medical experiments but this fiction book was absolutely amazing and was by far one of my favorite books of the law 5 years.
I have read real life accounts of the Nazi medical experiments but this fiction book was absolutely amazing and was by far one of my favorite books of the law 5 years.
July 20, 2015
At first I was a bit reluctant to read this story because of the Nazi Germany undertones. All too often it seems when authors need a nefarious, villainous background they make the antagonist a Nazi. It feels lazy.
That being said, I quickly found this story to be a different take on the Nazi backstory altogether. In the early pages you quickly learn about how far Schiller is willing to go to keep the world from discovering he is an SS medical officer, and to keep this "killer gene" from propagating. The science behind the story is sound and well researched, same with the Romany protagonists and even the history behind the concentration camps. You'll fall in and out of love with the characters throughout the story as Stephen Kyle takes you on a dark emotional roller coaster. With only three books in his bibliography you can't go wrong with checking this hidden gem off your literary bucket list. When you're finished, I'd also recommend his other work "Beyond Recall". You can also be sure I'll be reading the last in his pantheon "After Shock" while I wait with bated breath for him to write another thriller.
That being said, I quickly found this story to be a different take on the Nazi backstory altogether. In the early pages you quickly learn about how far Schiller is willing to go to keep the world from discovering he is an SS medical officer, and to keep this "killer gene" from propagating. The science behind the story is sound and well researched, same with the Romany protagonists and even the history behind the concentration camps. You'll fall in and out of love with the characters throughout the story as Stephen Kyle takes you on a dark emotional roller coaster. With only three books in his bibliography you can't go wrong with checking this hidden gem off your literary bucket list. When you're finished, I'd also recommend his other work "Beyond Recall". You can also be sure I'll be reading the last in his pantheon "After Shock" while I wait with bated breath for him to write another thriller.
June 27, 2015
Not a horrible book, but it didn't really grab me. The concept was interesting, of a genetic manipulation passing the parent's memories through mitochondrial DNA from the parent and prior generations to the child. Until you realize the kid has the capacity to remember EVERYTHING. Which isn't good when a child remembers things before they can mentally and emotionally handle it. I don't think I'll ever be mentally or emotionally mature enough to handle certain things involving my parents. Lets just put it that way.
When I realized that, it kind of turned me off from the book. The characters were all well done and didn't fit into any specific trope that I could tell. The information about the Gypsies was fascinating. If true, expanded my understanding of them. If not, has given me something to think about and research!
The ties to WWII and Nazi "medical research" was morbidly fascinating, but also necessary to learn and remember. If we forget our past, we will be doomed to repeat it. And that part of our past should never be re-lived again.
So not a bad book, just not quite for me, as I tend to over think things at times. 2.5 stars.
When I realized that, it kind of turned me off from the book. The characters were all well done and didn't fit into any specific trope that I could tell. The information about the Gypsies was fascinating. If true, expanded my understanding of them. If not, has given me something to think about and research!
The ties to WWII and Nazi "medical research" was morbidly fascinating, but also necessary to learn and remember. If we forget our past, we will be doomed to repeat it. And that part of our past should never be re-lived again.
So not a bad book, just not quite for me, as I tend to over think things at times. 2.5 stars.
October 24, 2013
It was so-so. Fairly well written. Chilling detail about the Nazi prison camp, how the Jewish prisoners were treated, and the brutal medical experiments conducted on them. Very interesting look into the gypsy lifestyle. However, I love a good thriller, and it is hard to be thrilled when the antagonist is a DNA sequence that enhances memory (look out, the DNA is coming!...). Would have been more thrilling if one of the male carriers of the gene (male carriers not only have the knowledge gene, but it also turns off the part of the brain that provides humans with a conscience, therefore making them homicidal maniacs) was terrorizing New York City as a serial killer or something.
June 11, 2012
True story: any book used to intimidate me. Would about other things while I was reading, could never get into the books, loss of interest.
One day while working in a factory, a guy I went to high school with has a huge book of around 400 pages and I said, I wish I could read like you.
The next day he brought me in this book. I looked at it skeptically and said, oookay.
I read half of the first page and I couldn't stop.
I couldn't even fathom how many books I have read since then. I owe so much to him and this book.
Just had to share!
P.S. In case you didn't guess, the book is amazing!
One day while working in a factory, a guy I went to high school with has a huge book of around 400 pages and I said, I wish I could read like you.
The next day he brought me in this book. I looked at it skeptically and said, oookay.
I read half of the first page and I couldn't stop.
I couldn't even fathom how many books I have read since then. I owe so much to him and this book.
Just had to share!
P.S. In case you didn't guess, the book is amazing!
August 18, 2014
liked this book a lot. I was actually looking for Stephen king in the library and picked this one up by accident but who doesn't love a spin on what a bunch of scientists did to people in Nazi Germany and then what them try and fail at covering their tracks.
June 11, 2011
Very good read. Lots of twists and good story.
September 1, 2013
I read this book over 10 years ago yet I still remember it to this day & remember how pulled in and fascinated I was with each page turn.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews