IQ - Das Experiment

by Brian Caswell

Mikki and the others live at 'the farm' - an advanced learning facility, a think-tank for a bunch of young people with very high IQs. But what is really going on at the farm? And what about the five much younger children known as the Babies, frail as butterflies?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Read For School, Speculative Fiction, German Literature, Childrens

239 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Brian Caswell was born in Wales and moved to Australia at the age of twelve. He began his working life as a teacher, resigning in 1990 to become a full-time writer.
His first novel, Merryll of the Stones, was Honour Book (Older Readers) in the 1990 Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards. He has since published three more books, A Dream of Stars (1991), A Cage of Butterflies (1992), which was short-listed in the 1993 Children's Book Council Awards, and Mike (1993) his first novel for younger readers. Two further novels, Dreamslip and Lisdalia, are scheduled for publication in 1994.

Reviews

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book I read in school, and I'm so glad I did. It was such a fascinating book, and while at the time I'm sure it meant less to me, I look back on it fondly, and the messages it told.

Powerfully written, but in a way that perfectly connects with young people. I'd love to read this again as an adult and give it a proper review.

[Vic · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok so first of all, let me just say that i had to read this book for my english class. the prologue opens with a mirroring technique where similar events are occuring hence the name a beginning and an end. i found the beginning very interesting as it captivated me from the alluring prologue, so i read on and then i was introduced to different character portrayed though their POV's. they were alright but what brian caswell didn't do was expand on them. i wanted to know more about the characters, as there weren't that many of them to begin with but they weren't that complex, so it was a bit boring to understand them. can i just say that i absolutely loathe endings to books! thats just the way i am. and my opinion is no different to this book. i felt that after the climax of the story, the ending was dissapointing.
it was like being held down by chains while trying to fly. you are hovering in the air, but the chains make it extremely hard for you to ascend any further. i guess i recommend this to those of you who like simple stories and happy endings?!

[Michelle M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is close to my heart as Brian was my English teacher at the time. Mikki was my nickname at school ;)

[Anna Ottersbach-McLean · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had good bones but the writing style with all its time jumps and changes of perspective was not my cup of tea. Maybe it was because the novel is quite old, but I also think this topic has been taken apart by the media a lot now and this is one of the weaker iterations.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confusing at first but keep reading because it takes you on the greatest journey!

[Tarzipan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven’t reread this book as an adult but was an all time favourite when I was growing up. Would love to read again and see what I think of it now

[Eviiiii · Rating 2 out of 5]

Der Science-Fiction-Thriller „IQ das Experiment“, geschrieben von Brian Caswell, handelt von einer Gruppe Jugendlicher mit einem besonders hohem IQ und dem Missbrauch und der Ausbeutung von Forschern.
Die Jugendlichen leben auf der „Farm“, einer Einrichtung für besonders intelligente Kinder. Doch es gibt einen Teil den niemand betreten darf, nur die beiden Leiter der Einrichtung. Lange grübeln sie was sich dahinter verbirgt und sie finden heraus, dass dort noch mehr Kinder leben. An diesen Kindern ist etwas besonderes, das sehen auch die Forscher. Was ist ihr Geheimnis und schaffen die Jugendlichen sie zu retten?

Ich gebe dem Buch 3/5 Sternen, man muss sich an manchen Stellen ein bisschen durchkämpfen und das Werk fängt schon sehr verworren an. Meiner Meinung nach wird die Handlung zu schnell abgewickelt und es bleibt nicht viel Raum um richtige Spannung oder Bezug zu den einzelnen Charakteren aufzubauen. Auf der anderen Seite ist die Story doch besser als gedacht und das Ende ganz nett umgesetzt.

Abschließend kann man das Buch durch aus mal lesen (sind ja auch nicht so viele Seiten), wenn einen diese Thematik interessiert. Doch man sollte nicht zu viel erwarten:)

[S · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to say for the reviews provided on the book cover I expected more. While the book presents an interesting idea: with the Babies, it doesn't get explored anywhere near full potential. The plot is meager at it's best, giving hint for more it could be but really it an extremely easy thing. While the many first persons may make the story confusing I didn't find it so. On the whole the book was overly simple and rather boring. I specifically disliked the ending, which was too "happy ending" for it to leave a true-life impressions.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first time I read it, it was really boring. It was confusing with the changes of perspectives and how it switches from character to character. I thought the book could have some more depth, maybe a bit more suspense. I have to read it a second time, and it seems more interesting as I know how it ends. When you read it a second time, if you were confused the first time, it helps you to understand it a bit more.

[Olivia J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how it was written - the tense - the perspective -- it kept switching, I got the true idea of how the characters were feeling and what they were thinking. I really enjoyed the plot. I loved the ending, and thought the whole book was written really well. This book was definitly worth reading.

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I thought it was very slow and hard to get into, but after I read a little further it got rather interesting. I will say that it had me confused on numerous occasions just due to the perspective changes and the foreshadowing at the beginning but it all gets cleared up the further you read. I thought that the plot was great with an awesome climax. A great book, worth the read.

[Timmy Naces · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only thing that I love about this book was the uniqueness of the story. I love how the author's imagination is working, but one thing that brought this book down was the constant boringness of the story. It was good actually, don't get me wrong, but he should've made the conversation between the characters more interesting and relevant to teenagers.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids in the think tank are smart kids who have each other for company; the Babies provide a point of interest, something to be intrigued by and with the possibilities of. If you didn't suffer through high school from being the Smart Kid you probably won't relate to this much, but I loved it; it was my escape, a world with people I'd never met but recognised.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not required reading - for a book report in year 9 ISA. It was the big thing going round at the time so of course I had to read it as well, several times. Trippy, and should possibly be revisited now I am older. I loved it in year 9!

[Vix Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A contemporary young adult novel that raises the issues of morality and ethics in the character voices that the targeted reader (13-17) are able to relate to, although there is an appeal to older readers as it presents the issues as a lighter read. The characters have depth, personality and humor.

[Zahraa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because im going to be tested on it in English class when school starts again, for the first time ever i liked a book that was suggested by the school, i dont usually like books that im forced to read but this book, this was something special, i loved it.

[Yvette Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't necessarily think Craswell is the best storyteller, but he sure has some interesting concepts! I read this with my daughter and we found it really interesting. Better than Dreamslip, not quite as good as Merryll of the Stones.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only book assigned by school that I've actually enjoyed.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. The plot seemed familiar, the story did not have a lot of depth, but it was an interesting idea and played out interestingly enough to keep me reading.

[Bianca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am reading this book in English it acctually wasn't that bad, not the best book ever but for a book I have had to read in class its good.

[C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't stand up so well to re-reading; and I have the Cultural Cringe.

[Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Ending could have been more vibrant but this was a book that stuck to your mind and you will always think about it

[John Sheahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book, stylistically.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Alicia Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

i had to read it for English. Well written, interesting plot. I love the way he writes

[andie · Rating 2 out of 5]

different cover

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book a lot. it is a really great book and interesting. I recommend you read this book

[Manda]

Another book my class studied when I was in primary school that I adored.