The Sower

by Kemble Scott

A scoundrel becomes the sole carrier of a cure for all diseases, but the only way to pass it to others is through sex. Some want him stopped. Some want him dead. Some just want him.THE SOWER is the outrageous, twisted brand new thriller from Kemble Scott, author of the bestseller SoMa."Dark, subversive, and laugh-out-loud funny.”-- Raj Patel, author of the international bestseller Stuffed and Starved."The Sower is the Da Vinci Code as seen through the twisted eyes of John Waters and transcribed by the Marquis de Sade.”--David Henry Sterry, author of the bestseller Chicken."The Sower entertains, enlightens, and manages to push a whole lot of buttons in the process...one of those ‘can’t put it down’ books that runs the reader though the full slate of emotions from start to finish."--Kate Douglas, author of the bestselling Wolf Tales series.The Soileau is the last guy you’d expect to save the world.From the shocking opening chapter of The Sower, Bill is the ultimate scoundrel. A deviously handsome player in the world of San Francisco’s sexual underground, he doesn’t seem to care for anyone except himself.Then while on assignment working overseas in remote Armenia, he’s infected with a manmade supervirus that appears to be a cure for all diseases. With the help of a brilliant French doctor, Bill soon discovers he’s the sole carrier, and the only way to pass the miracle cure onto others is through sex.He’s the world’s least likely savior. Or perhaps his history makes him the best man on earth for the job. But when word gets out, Bill finds himself on the most wanted list. He’s the ultimate battle in the culture wars, pitting him against right wing ideologies, religious extremists, and the most famous pop star on the planet.

Genres: Fiction

457 pages, ebook

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Kemble Scott is the pen name for fiction of Scott James, an Emmy Award winning journalist whose columns appear in The Bay Citizen and The New York Times. As Kemble, he is the author of two bestselling novels: THE SOWER and SOMA, finalist for then national Lambda Literary Award for debut fiction.

Reviews

[Edkressy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Kemble Scott's work, especially The Sower, makes me homesick for San Francisco, even though I still live here. Those feelings...of freedom, possibility, finally being accepted somewhere...that came to me when I first moved from my childhood home in Boston 20 years ago, are feelings that I re-capture when I read Mr. Scott's work. Some of Armistead Maupin's stuff, I have found quite enjoyable, but I find myself even more connected to the people and events in The Sower and in SOMA (Mr. Scott's earlier novel).

Having spent the better part of a decade as a biotechnology professional, I am impressed by the ways in which the discovery of a "miracle medicine" is portrayed in The Sower. The explanation of the science behind the cure, the ways in which one of the book's heroines clinically researches her discovery and interacts with her colleagues at the College de Direction Scientifique, the involvement of the interests of the shadowy "Big Pharma" into the proceedings...much more so than even those books by Michael Crichton that I have read, does The Sower realistically depict those events that it imagines.

A great book! One that I unreservedly recommend.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kemble Scott wrote that he was self-publishing The Sower as an e-book because it was so timely and he didn't want its moment to pass during a long publication process, I had a moment of skepticism. The book really is that timely, however. What's more, it's well written (with a light touch) and a real page-turner.

I'll avoid spoilers and just say that this genre-blending novel deals with the issues of plague, genocide, sexuality and the pharmacomedicoindustrial complex and still makes you giggle. I started it in the evening and literally could not stop until I finished it hours later. The characterizations are shallow, as in most satire, but the writer plays with the conventions of the romance and thriller genres in unusual and highly subversive ways.

Almost as exciting as the story itself is the fact that you can purchase it for only $2.00 on scribd.com.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific, picaresque follow-on to Scott's SoMa, The Sower will completely take over your next 24 hours once you start reading it. A compelling, thrilling, and at times tender, adventure. Readers will enjoy it from many perspectives: It is thoughtful and breathtaking while taking long strides across the planet as good little (sometimes literally) people take on malevolent and titanic organizations. Stir in a wry serving of satire in several chapters and you have a winner that you can give away in stacks over the coming holidays. An excellent, excellent read!

[Kemble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new novel. It's being released in an unusual way - the first edition is only available on Scribd.com. It's a new type of e-book where you don't need any special gadget to read it - any computer or mobile device works.

I'm one of three bestselling novelists premiering brand new books this way. And to tempt readers to try something new, we're pricing the books at the recession-friendly price of just $2.

[Joshuacitrak · Rating 5 out of 5]

kemble scott is one of my favorite authors. he does what few writers are brave or capable enough to do, he lets the story take over instead of trying to dazzle you with words. The Sower is a poignant book, a "what if" on the cultural mores of sexuality and sin, of life and death. buy the ebook on scribd or get the print version from your LBS. what more can i say, i devoured it two days it was that good.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny and entertaining and explores worthwhile themes. I read Soma and this is a sequel to that, but following up on only one minor character from Soma. The rest of the characters are new. I want to read more from Kemble Scott. As well written as this story is, there are about 20 spelling and grammatical errors which is extremely unusual to see in a commercially published hardbound book.

[Joe Quirk]

Kemble Scott's second book is a quantum leap beyond his bestselling cult classic about gay life South of Market in SF. Sower is a thriller that ends up being a brilliant parable about the true nature of a moral choice. This should be read by everybody who thinks about the current political climate. This book enlightened me ... plus it made me horny.

[Louis Fried · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “The Sower” Scott has put a subculture onto the world stage. Plot, mystery, intrigue, humor, and sex … some combination! This is a book that keeps you reading until the unexpected ending.
Louis Fried, author of “Other Countries/Other Worlds”

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book was covered in a popular novellette - Journals of the Plague Years, by Norman Spinrad (first published in a 1988 anthology and then as its own book in 1995). A few plot elements overlap as well (a lone vector carries the cure, desimination through San Francisco orgies, cover-up and resistance from the Feds).
Its certainly not unusual in science fiction for ideas to be reworked by other authors, but Norman Spinrad deserves credit for origination.
Each novel is differentiated by its own fantastical plot elements (Sower's king-president vs. Journals' tech mediated sex culture). My personal preference is for Journals - I enjoyed the broader development of the implications for sex and culture, plus its more "sciency" (thank you Steven Colbert).
However, Sower's first person viewpoint of an HIV+ gay man may resonate with readers who prefer a more everyday, near-future feel to their SF.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY interesting and twisted storyline! The characters are well rounded and have just enough development for the reader to find attachments to. However I only gave it four stars out of five because although the story had a very entertaining premise, I found it a bit underdeveloped and too fast-paced. I also don't think the editing for this book was thorough enough as I found numerous typos. Still a good read either way! Found it worth my time.

[Drea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really got a kick out of this story. Very quick to read, I finished it in only a couple of days. Like another reviewer pointed out, the typos and editing errors are numerous - could use another edit!

[Lacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Man, this book was a disappointment. I felt like it had such potential for a funny, satirical story that takes place in SF and addresses current issues. BONK.
I gave it two stars, because I did actually finish it and I liked the San Francisco references. Otherwise, it fell from the mark.

[Kemble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the new hardcover edition. Release date: August 31st!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great premise! The book is interesting from the first page and then moves at a quick pace to a very satisfying (and uncomfortably amusing) conclusion. A highly original and enjoyable read.

[Charles]

Not really my cup of tea...

[Diana Eberhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really engaging, well-written mystery about gay men and politics and sex and HIV and other viruses.