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Sims
F. Paul Wilson, a practicing physician as well as the bestselling author of the Repairman Jack series, turns his attention to the day after tomorrow and shows us how genetic engineering might change the world.Just a few hundred genes separate humans from chimpanzees. Imagine someone altering the chimp genome, splicing in human genes to increase the size of the cranium, reduce the amount of body hair, enable speech. What sort of creature would result?Sims takes place in the very near future, when the science of genetics is fulfilling its vaunted potential. It's a world where genetically transmitted diseases are being eliminated. A world where dangerous or boring manual labor is gradually being transferred to "sims," genetically altered chimps who occupy a gray zone between simian and human. The chief innovator in this world is SimGen, which owns the patent on the sim genome and has begun leasing the creatures worldwide. But SimGen is not quite what it seems. It has secrets . . . secrets beyond patents and proprietary processes . . . secrets it will go to any lengths to protect. Sims explores this brave new world as it is turned upside down and torn apart when lawyer Patrick Sullivan decides to try to unionize the sims.Right now, as you read these words, some company somewhere in the world is toying with the chimp genome. That is not fiction, it is fact. Sims is a science thriller that will come true. One way or another.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
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About the author
F. Paul Wilson
421 books1,995 followersFrancis Paul Wilson is an author, born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He writes novels and short stories primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer (1976). Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog and continued to write science fiction throughout the seventies. In 1981 he ventured into the horror genre with the international bestseller, The Keep, and helped define the field throughout the rest of the decade. In the 1990s he became a true genre hopper, moving from science fiction to horror to medical thrillers and branching into interactive scripting for Disney Interactive and other multimedia companies. He, along with Matthew J. Costello, created and scripted FTL Newsfeed which ran daily on the Sci-Fi Channel from 1992-1996.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 15, 2015
Among the last of the writers in the true pulp style, Wilson delivers an entertaining premise in a breakneck paced tale populated with stock characters. Also, in the finest tradition of the pulps, he provides a revealing glimpse of an alternate world that is absolutely faithful to this one, except in one small detail.
That detail in this volume is the successful creation of a simian GMO who is sapient and self-aware, yet is classified as sub-human and animal in nature. In the world of Sims this is how slavery reenters the United States, and the United States of course embraces the opportunity. Some of the details of how this came about are questionable and under-described, although believable. The interactions and relationships of the characters are largely gender defined, but not offensively so. The conclusion is largely the product of coincidence and unlikely individual events, but are completely in keeping with the nature of the book.
In other words, this is a book to enjoy not to think too deeply about, even while the questions it raises about the future of genomics are fairly profound. Given when this novel was written one could even question if Wilson was trying for an allegory, but I think in the end that this is really just a very entertaining book on a subject that just might give you pause to think.
That detail in this volume is the successful creation of a simian GMO who is sapient and self-aware, yet is classified as sub-human and animal in nature. In the world of Sims this is how slavery reenters the United States, and the United States of course embraces the opportunity. Some of the details of how this came about are questionable and under-described, although believable. The interactions and relationships of the characters are largely gender defined, but not offensively so. The conclusion is largely the product of coincidence and unlikely individual events, but are completely in keeping with the nature of the book.
In other words, this is a book to enjoy not to think too deeply about, even while the questions it raises about the future of genomics are fairly profound. Given when this novel was written one could even question if Wilson was trying for an allegory, but I think in the end that this is really just a very entertaining book on a subject that just might give you pause to think.
December 10, 2013
F. Paul Wilson, a practicing physician as well as the bestselling author of the Repairman Jack series, turns his attention to the day after tomorrow and shows us how genetic engineering might change the world.
Just a few hundred genes separate humans from chimpanzees. Imagine someone altering the chimp genome, splicing in human genes to increase the size of the cranium, reduce the amount of body hair, enable speech. What sort of creature would result?
Sims takes place in the very near future, when the science of genetics is fulfilling its vaunted potential. It's a world where genetically transmitted diseases are being eliminated. A world where dangerous or boring manual labor is gradually being transferred to "sims," genetically altered chimps who occupy a gray zone between simian and human. The chief innovator in this world is SimGen, which owns the patent on the sim genome and has begun leasing the creatures worldwide.
But SimGen is not quite what it seems. It has secrets . . . secrets beyond patents and proprietary processes . . . secrets it will go to any lengths to protect. Sims explores this brave new world as it is turned upside down and torn apart when lawyer Patrick Sullivan decides to try to unionize the sims.
Right now, as you read these words, some company somewhere in the world is toying with the chimp genome. That is not fiction, it is fact. Sims is a science thriller that will come true. One way or another.
**
November 6, 2010
I was really really in the mood for a novella and I just happened to pick this one up off the shelf. I really wanted to like it with such a killer concept, but unfortunately it just didn't hit the spot for me.
This is such a controversial subject, but there was just nothing riveting at all about this story or how it was told. The best way I can think of to describe it: it felt like it was happening miles away from where I was. As if I was watching through a pair of binoculars and didn't care to get any closer. There was no immediacy to what was going on and a lack of insight or philosophical questions that seem so central to these themes.
It needed a lot of refining. There was too much exposition that didn't advance the storyline or show character development, which is unusual is a so-called short novel. It felt much longer than it was.
For a much better read try Genesis by Bernard Beckett. I really can't recommend that one enough.
This is such a controversial subject, but there was just nothing riveting at all about this story or how it was told. The best way I can think of to describe it: it felt like it was happening miles away from where I was. As if I was watching through a pair of binoculars and didn't care to get any closer. There was no immediacy to what was going on and a lack of insight or philosophical questions that seem so central to these themes.
It needed a lot of refining. There was too much exposition that didn't advance the storyline or show character development, which is unusual is a so-called short novel. It felt much longer than it was.
For a much better read try Genesis by Bernard Beckett. I really can't recommend that one enough.
March 4, 2012
Wow again! *Another* book I would give ten stars if I could. This book is about a genetically-engineered worker class, the "sims", part human and part chimpanzee, in the not-to-distant future. They are slaves, and are considered animals, not humans. The book magnificently describes the viewpoints of dozens of different members of society regarding the sims, all as part of the story.
Warning for the squeamish: There are several passages describing extreme gore in great detail, and others describing horrible abuse of sentient beings.
This book is wonderfully written, with a fascinating plot and theme. There was only one proofing error I noticed ("they're" that should have been "their").
I highly recommend this one.
Warning for the squeamish: There are several passages describing extreme gore in great detail, and others describing horrible abuse of sentient beings.
This book is wonderfully written, with a fascinating plot and theme. There was only one proofing error I noticed ("they're" that should have been "their").
I highly recommend this one.
June 8, 2013
Interesting speculative applications to the current treatment of immigrant laborers under US law.
In Sims, the government or military industrial complex turns out to be behind the development of sims, which are legally “products” but potentially cheap labor and more importantly cheap roadkill for new wars. Congress designated sims as legal property, which means they cannot be considered humans, which means they cannot be “employee” and therefore do not qualify for protection under the statutes of the National Labor Relations Board.
In Sims, the government or military industrial complex turns out to be behind the development of sims, which are legally “products” but potentially cheap labor and more importantly cheap roadkill for new wars. Congress designated sims as legal property, which means they cannot be considered humans, which means they cannot be “employee” and therefore do not qualify for protection under the statutes of the National Labor Relations Board.
December 30, 2018
Interesting trip into an alternative United States, slightly in the future (as it's written in 2003) where a comany has manipulated DNA of chimps to create a 'product' that the public can rent for the purpose of slavery. But things go haywire when one of these sims approaches a lawyer to form a union. I was expecting a courtroom / sci-fi drama but got a fast-paced action story with a couple surprising revelations at the end.
June 4, 2019
Initially I thought this was just some planet of the apes retread. Oh no it’s incredible fresh new story. So good I got lost one day and wound up all alone on a train. Almost missed my stop. It’s that good
October 2, 2025
It's hard to go wrong with a formula like this. So it's passable. BUT, referring to one of the main female characters, whose profession isn't dancer or sex worker but government bureaucrat, as having a "tight, firm butt" is a big NOPE to me. I should have been wary when I saw that this writer had produced well over two dozen books and I never heard of him before.
July 29, 2024
Sims are chimps genetically modified to create a more human-like, stronger, and smarter animal that can be used as slave labor. But rich corporations and the military can not be trusted with the science that enables this. This novel looks at some possible, disastrous outcomes and questions what rights animals should have and what is and isn’t human.
The novel is fast-paced, and most of the characters are more than just stereotypes. I became quite caught up in what would happen to the sims and the many ways their battle was fought, and I appreciated the author’s willingness to let important characters die.
The novel is fast-paced, and most of the characters are more than just stereotypes. I became quite caught up in what would happen to the sims and the many ways their battle was fought, and I appreciated the author’s willingness to let important characters die.
March 20, 2017
SIMS by F. Paul Wilson
This book is 13 years old and yet is still cutting edge. Genetic manipulation and it's results are the focus of the book. The development of an evolved chimpanzee and it's enslavement is the key plot line.
One of the more interesting factors about the book was the syndicated article in the Naples Daily News last week dealing with the court fight to get some chimps declared human. If you are reading this review on Amazon, there will be no link to the Associated Press article as Amazon review policy doesn't allow links.
The author deals with bi-polar disorders and refers peripherally to the dangers of cosmetic genetic modification.
Dispensing with the educational and philosophical aspects of the book, it was an exciting and captivating story that challenges stereo-types and prejudice. Sadly that is probably more important in today's political climate than it was 13 years ago.
I recommend the book.
Site: http://repairmanjack.com/
Link to Associated Press article on chimps.
This book is 13 years old and yet is still cutting edge. Genetic manipulation and it's results are the focus of the book. The development of an evolved chimpanzee and it's enslavement is the key plot line.
One of the more interesting factors about the book was the syndicated article in the Naples Daily News last week dealing with the court fight to get some chimps declared human. If you are reading this review on Amazon, there will be no link to the Associated Press article as Amazon review policy doesn't allow links.
The author deals with bi-polar disorders and refers peripherally to the dangers of cosmetic genetic modification.
Dispensing with the educational and philosophical aspects of the book, it was an exciting and captivating story that challenges stereo-types and prejudice. Sadly that is probably more important in today's political climate than it was 13 years ago.
I recommend the book.
Site: http://repairmanjack.com/
Link to Associated Press article on chimps.
July 4, 2016
A genetics company has a world wide monopoly on the leasing of a new species they have created as menial workers. Based on chimps, with a few human genes spliced in. The creatures are docile and 'happy' to do the jobs no people want, or are they?
A lawyer is contacted by a group of the creatures who want to start a union. This opens a can of worms and sets in place a series of events that sees the company that created the creatures desperately trying to maintain control.
An at times thrilling read, let down by a lack of suspense as the good guys seemingly thwart the machinations of the villains at every turn.
A lawyer is contacted by a group of the creatures who want to start a union. This opens a can of worms and sets in place a series of events that sees the company that created the creatures desperately trying to maintain control.
An at times thrilling read, let down by a lack of suspense as the good guys seemingly thwart the machinations of the villains at every turn.
March 13, 2017
Interesting, sorta creepy sci-fi novel that takes place in the near future about sims--chimpanzees enhanced with human DNA created by a company called SimGen--which are used as cheap labor and medical guinea pigs while denied many rights, even to family. A labor lawyer and an activist team to change the classification of sims from property to persons to improve their treatment and to bring SimGen's shady practices and secrets to light. Of course, there are those within the company who will do anything to stop that from happening. Murder and mayhem ensue.
July 21, 2024
A great science fiction book about altering chimpanzees DNA with human genomes to produce a greater than chimp, lesser than human work force. An enslave sub species.
Great characters, some you will love and some you will hate, and one who will astound you.
Great characters, some you will love and some you will hate, and one who will astound you.
March 3, 2013
Sims is one of the first bio-engineering futuristic novels I read. The story gives great detail about the ethical, social and spiritual issues that arise when a Euro-centric society tampers with nature. The book presents a sci-fic version of actual scientific advances in genetic modification of the human genome. It was moving and enlightening. I recommend this read to anyone interested in American culture, human and animal rights, scientists and anyone looking for a intriguing story.
June 14, 2013
I want to give this one star when I consider how many books in existence that are so much more worth reading, but on its own merit I'll give it two. It was predictable. The writing was easy to read but shallow, you can make a book accessible without butchering any sense of purpose in word choice. The premise of the book was decent enough, and that's the only thing that saved it. If a book can inspire any kind of thought outside of its pages, it isn't a complete waste.
September 3, 2014
Sims was a surprisingly captivating novel, though I believe it would have been much better, had F. Paul Wilson improved upon the dialogue. The premise is chilling, and not nearly as far-fetched as one would hope. Some of the characters are a little bit ridiculous, and I was perplexed about the severity of the big "twist." Without giving anything away, I really felt it shouldn't have made any difference one way or another.
May 4, 2016
This is one of my all-time favorite novels. It tells a fantastic tale of a genetically modified race of creatures called Sims that act as slave labor for human beings. The protagonist of the novel is a lawyer that fights for the rights of these genetically-modified beings, but there is much more danger involved than he could ever have imagined. The ending contains an incredible twist that caught me off guard and makes the story. I would highly recommend this book to anybody.
July 30, 2010
I haven't read F. Paul Wilson in over 10 years so it was nice to read one after all this time. The story is about a world in which chimpanzees are genetically altered to be more human. Considering how much progress has been made with genetic engineering I found it very thought provoking. What a fine line between the character in this book and the human race.
November 13, 2011
Found this book at a goodwill store and only bought it because it was in excellent condition, hardcover, for just $2! It is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Have passed it on to other friends who do not like science fiction and they were hooked. The characters are full and round and I found myself completely believing the story and the scenes, chilling as they might be.
June 8, 2019
A most interesting peek into one possible future that could result from the application of gene modification technology and property law as they apply to animals. The author's facility with plot and character development make the story entertaining with a pace that makes it hard to put down. I recommend it highly.
November 20, 2009
This is a fascinating book. It delves into what can happen when mankind gets into cloning and other things which often are best left alone. The story is engrossing and well written and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a well written thriller with some interesting twists.
December 30, 2012
Enjoyable and thought provoking story of genetic engineering that poses a lot of ethical questions related to what is acceptable in terms of fair labour practices and drawing the line between humans and animals.
March 1, 2015
Sims is not my usual cup of tea, but I enjoyed it immensely. The plot was full of twists and turns, and I loved the characters, especially the dynamics between them. The ending was satisfying and I had a splendid time reading this book on vacation. An excellent read. 4.5 stars.
Currently reading
July 30, 2008This is a decent pulpy science fiction novel. It's very similar to Michael Crichton's "Next."
May 28, 2011
Characterization of the girl was flat as possible. The idea was good, though.
August 9, 2011
Sci-Fi genre?
September 28, 2011
Loved this book, interesting and gripping....kept wanting to read until finish.
September 10, 2012
Interesting premise but I thought the ending was too neatly and quickly tied up.
August 26, 2012
Love F. Paul Wilson, but could not get interested in the book. Too predictable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews