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Y
The year is 2011, the place, New York City. A mysterious microbe has begun to infect women of child-bearing age. Though the medical establishment writes it off as a simple flu, and the epidemic appears to be dying out, a young New York obstetrician confronts a conundrum. In the past year, the ratio of boys to girls born in her practice has declined precipitously. Dr. Deborah Kruger suspects the that infected women are no longer able to give birth to male children.
With the help of her husband Larry, a computer analyst, Deborah tracks the epicenter to New York City, from which the infection is already bursting forth. And, as years pass, despite hundreds of laboratories at work on it, the microbe continues to overrun borders and envelop the Earth. With Science unable to stop it, and the contagion rippling worldwide in an AIDS-like pandemic, how will society cope in an increasingly female world?
Unquestionably, some changes are inevitable. Companies hire more women; who assume more leadership positions, replacing the male hierarchy with their own female style of management, to great success. Among the younger generation, monogamy is increasingly replaced by polygamy. Wars decrease. Crime falls. Football attendance is down. Ballet is up.
"Y" follows three New York City families for an entire generation, each with its own story. The blue-collar husband proves unable to deal with a wife who has become the major bread-winner. The yuppie husband does well in his career but cannot resist the temptations of a workplace with limitless young women. His wife, turned off from men entirely, will leave him and become a force to reckon with in her own right. And, along the way, the children of all three families struggle to find mates and to secure their own places in this new, topsy-turvy world.
At once a fast-paced thriller of a gripping race for a cure, a speculative tale about a futuristic society, and a comic battle between the sexes, "Y" is, above all, the story of real people caught up in a society they no longer recognize.
With the help of her husband Larry, a computer analyst, Deborah tracks the epicenter to New York City, from which the infection is already bursting forth. And, as years pass, despite hundreds of laboratories at work on it, the microbe continues to overrun borders and envelop the Earth. With Science unable to stop it, and the contagion rippling worldwide in an AIDS-like pandemic, how will society cope in an increasingly female world?
Unquestionably, some changes are inevitable. Companies hire more women; who assume more leadership positions, replacing the male hierarchy with their own female style of management, to great success. Among the younger generation, monogamy is increasingly replaced by polygamy. Wars decrease. Crime falls. Football attendance is down. Ballet is up.
"Y" follows three New York City families for an entire generation, each with its own story. The blue-collar husband proves unable to deal with a wife who has become the major bread-winner. The yuppie husband does well in his career but cannot resist the temptations of a workplace with limitless young women. His wife, turned off from men entirely, will leave him and become a force to reckon with in her own right. And, along the way, the children of all three families struggle to find mates and to secure their own places in this new, topsy-turvy world.
At once a fast-paced thriller of a gripping race for a cure, a speculative tale about a futuristic society, and a comic battle between the sexes, "Y" is, above all, the story of real people caught up in a society they no longer recognize.
- GenresScience Fiction
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2010
1 person is currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Rozanski
10 books6 followersBonnie is an author and prize-winning playwright currently living in New Jersey. Born in Queens, New York, she has lived in Hong Kong, Canada, and all over the US. With degrees in Psychology and Artificial Intelligence, always fascinated by the human mind, Bonnie writes on matters touching on consciousness and the human condition.
BANANA KISS, Bonnie's debut novel, told from the point of view of a young schizophrenic girl, came out to excellent reviews in 2005. To the many who ask whether the author is writing from experience, Bonnie says, "Not at all. BANANA KISS is based entirely on the application of imagination to months of research on schizophrenia and quantum theory." "On the other hand," she adds after a pause, "I did hear Robin's voice."
Her second novel, BORDERLINE, was a YA finalist at the 2007 Foreword Book of the Year, as well as a silver medalist at that year's Independent Publisher Books awards. Bonnie has several other equally wonderful manuscripts in the wings, awaiting the perspicacious publisher who recognizes their brilliance.
BANANA KISS, Bonnie's debut novel, told from the point of view of a young schizophrenic girl, came out to excellent reviews in 2005. To the many who ask whether the author is writing from experience, Bonnie says, "Not at all. BANANA KISS is based entirely on the application of imagination to months of research on schizophrenia and quantum theory." "On the other hand," she adds after a pause, "I did hear Robin's voice."
Her second novel, BORDERLINE, was a YA finalist at the 2007 Foreword Book of the Year, as well as a silver medalist at that year's Independent Publisher Books awards. Bonnie has several other equally wonderful manuscripts in the wings, awaiting the perspicacious publisher who recognizes their brilliance.
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February 10, 2011Y is one of those novels that has a great premise but suffers through its execution. Unlike similar novels that are redeemed through the writing or its character development, Y has none of those. It is unfortunate because the plot is interesting, and Ms. Rozanski's writing shows promise.
The problem centers around the fact that Y never settles into one particular genre and one particular main topic. It tries too hard to be a dystopian, political, sociological, feminist, morality tale cum science fiction. This leaves the reader questioning the main purpose behind the story. What is Ms. Rozanski's ultimate point she is trying to make? Is it that women can run the world just as well as men? Is it that the more things change, the more things stay the same? Without being able to grasp this main detail, the entire novel remains a jumble of ideas and of characters. The plot bounces from one serious discussion to another without affording the reader the opportunity to dwell on the topics and come to his or her own conclusions.
Speaking of characters, there are so many characters that character development is severely lacking. The reader never gets to understand more than the very superficial level of reasoning behind a character's actions. As a result, the reader has no vested interest in any of the characters, leaving the reader an impassive witness to their actions and behaviors. This lack of an emotional connection drives one's reactions to the rest of the novel and removes the urgency, despair, and horror behind the events.
I have to address the "gender differences" that make up the novel. They are seriously some of the most stereotypically offensive lines I have ever read. I am not certain if this was Ms. Rozanski's point, that she was trying to highlight these so-called physiological and psychological differences as legitimate or as bogus, but I struggled reading a novel that pontificated about the idea that men are more spatial and more logical, while women are ingrained to nurture and support. That being feminine means being emotional and irrational, while being masculine means seeking power through any means necessary. That men and women run businesses very differently, and a women's way will fail in the long run. That there is a man's world and a woman's world and that when forced to reverse roles, nature will find a way to restore the balance back to that natural state as quickly as possible. Even if these ideas were meant to be tongue-in-cheek, there is an earnestness throughout the novel that gives weight to the message, making the stereotypes almost impossible to ignore.
Y has such potential that I remain disappointed I could not like it. Who hasn't dreamed up a world where women break through the glass ceiling and take a greater part in society? Isn't that why we continue to fight for equal rights? Yet, I truly did not like this novel. It was predictable and trite, never stopping to seriously address such moral issues as cloning, and, to me, offensive. There is a chance I completely missed the point. Perhaps I was so hung up on the gender differences that I missed what Ms. Rozanski was trying to say. This is a distinct possibility and one that has been whirling around in my brain since I started reading the novel. Unfortunately, based on my interpretation of the novel, Y remains a huge disappointment.
The problem centers around the fact that Y never settles into one particular genre and one particular main topic. It tries too hard to be a dystopian, political, sociological, feminist, morality tale cum science fiction. This leaves the reader questioning the main purpose behind the story. What is Ms. Rozanski's ultimate point she is trying to make? Is it that women can run the world just as well as men? Is it that the more things change, the more things stay the same? Without being able to grasp this main detail, the entire novel remains a jumble of ideas and of characters. The plot bounces from one serious discussion to another without affording the reader the opportunity to dwell on the topics and come to his or her own conclusions.
Speaking of characters, there are so many characters that character development is severely lacking. The reader never gets to understand more than the very superficial level of reasoning behind a character's actions. As a result, the reader has no vested interest in any of the characters, leaving the reader an impassive witness to their actions and behaviors. This lack of an emotional connection drives one's reactions to the rest of the novel and removes the urgency, despair, and horror behind the events.
I have to address the "gender differences" that make up the novel. They are seriously some of the most stereotypically offensive lines I have ever read. I am not certain if this was Ms. Rozanski's point, that she was trying to highlight these so-called physiological and psychological differences as legitimate or as bogus, but I struggled reading a novel that pontificated about the idea that men are more spatial and more logical, while women are ingrained to nurture and support. That being feminine means being emotional and irrational, while being masculine means seeking power through any means necessary. That men and women run businesses very differently, and a women's way will fail in the long run. That there is a man's world and a woman's world and that when forced to reverse roles, nature will find a way to restore the balance back to that natural state as quickly as possible. Even if these ideas were meant to be tongue-in-cheek, there is an earnestness throughout the novel that gives weight to the message, making the stereotypes almost impossible to ignore.
Y has such potential that I remain disappointed I could not like it. Who hasn't dreamed up a world where women break through the glass ceiling and take a greater part in society? Isn't that why we continue to fight for equal rights? Yet, I truly did not like this novel. It was predictable and trite, never stopping to seriously address such moral issues as cloning, and, to me, offensive. There is a chance I completely missed the point. Perhaps I was so hung up on the gender differences that I missed what Ms. Rozanski was trying to say. This is a distinct possibility and one that has been whirling around in my brain since I started reading the novel. Unfortunately, based on my interpretation of the novel, Y remains a huge disappointment.
November 27, 2010
As you can see from the summary above, this is a science fiction novel of epic proportion. Because seriously, what could be more epic than the major loss of the male species. Yes, yes, I may complain about Hubby, but it would be terribly sad if they died out. I mean, so much less to stare at *wink wink*
When I started this book, I really had no idea what to expect. I mean, yeah, I knew the background of the story, but I had never read anything by Bonnie Rozanski. And after the prologue, I was even more nervous. But, turns out that the first chapter starts off magnificently and the rest of the book lives up to it.
The whole book was a lovely display of science in action and not only did it hold my attention, I kept thinking about it whenever I wasn't reading it. I mean, there was crazy ideas stuck in my head of cloning and the death of the male species and all sorts of other things, I even dreamed about it. (yeah, I may have issues).
On to our characters! This book follows several different families throughout the ordeal. My 2 favorite characters were Deborah and Larry who happen to also be husband and wife. Deborah is an OBGYN (for all those who don't know what that means, it's a woman's doctor) and Larry is a database analyst. Deborah was smart and strong and didn't give up on her ideas and Larry was like the ultimate genius who was also an awesome husband...even if he might have been stuck at his computer for days...*big grin* A little later on, we also have their son, Stephen.
I think my least favorite were Bill, the guy who was so overly sexist, I wanted to murder him. John, the cheating slug who deserved to be kicked in the lower extremities. Victoria who was self-absorbed and vindictive, and in the end Willa. Although, Willa was a very complex character to me. I mean, I felt beyond bad for her and what she had to go through during her teen years, but what happens at the end of the book had me up in arms. I'm not going to tell you, so if you want to know you'll read the book. *mwah ha ha ha*
But, overall, with an exciting cast of the good, the bad and the ugly, a thrilling scientific plot of genes, cloning and the Y chromosome, a take over by woman everywhere in addition to crazy actresses, bombings and nature at it's best, you won't be disappointed with this book. So, all those who are looking for something that makes you think, pick up Bonnie Rozanski's "Y". (just, don't judge the book by the prologue!!!)
Recommended for those who like: Adult Science Fiction, Gene Therapy, Genetics, Cloning, Futuristic Societies
When I started this book, I really had no idea what to expect. I mean, yeah, I knew the background of the story, but I had never read anything by Bonnie Rozanski. And after the prologue, I was even more nervous. But, turns out that the first chapter starts off magnificently and the rest of the book lives up to it.
The whole book was a lovely display of science in action and not only did it hold my attention, I kept thinking about it whenever I wasn't reading it. I mean, there was crazy ideas stuck in my head of cloning and the death of the male species and all sorts of other things, I even dreamed about it. (yeah, I may have issues).
On to our characters! This book follows several different families throughout the ordeal. My 2 favorite characters were Deborah and Larry who happen to also be husband and wife. Deborah is an OBGYN (for all those who don't know what that means, it's a woman's doctor) and Larry is a database analyst. Deborah was smart and strong and didn't give up on her ideas and Larry was like the ultimate genius who was also an awesome husband...even if he might have been stuck at his computer for days...*big grin* A little later on, we also have their son, Stephen.
I think my least favorite were Bill, the guy who was so overly sexist, I wanted to murder him. John, the cheating slug who deserved to be kicked in the lower extremities. Victoria who was self-absorbed and vindictive, and in the end Willa. Although, Willa was a very complex character to me. I mean, I felt beyond bad for her and what she had to go through during her teen years, but what happens at the end of the book had me up in arms. I'm not going to tell you, so if you want to know you'll read the book. *mwah ha ha ha*
But, overall, with an exciting cast of the good, the bad and the ugly, a thrilling scientific plot of genes, cloning and the Y chromosome, a take over by woman everywhere in addition to crazy actresses, bombings and nature at it's best, you won't be disappointed with this book. So, all those who are looking for something that makes you think, pick up Bonnie Rozanski's "Y". (just, don't judge the book by the prologue!!!)
Recommended for those who like: Adult Science Fiction, Gene Therapy, Genetics, Cloning, Futuristic Societies
November 28, 2010
Y
By: Bonnie Rozanski
Published: August 29th, 2010
E-Book 231 Pages
Book Art: The cover makes compelte sense once you read the book.
Tags: Adult, Science, Genetic Engineering, Dystopia
First Line: New York City wakes up.
Why the Mad Scientist Read this Book:
I'm reading this book by request of the author. I'm so honored and simply glad she asked!
Concoction of a Review:
The Mad Scientist stayed true to herself and did not dare to read the synopsis of Y. I jumped right into this E-Book not knowing a single thing about it. But I will let you in on the wonders behind this delightful book, in a science sort of way . Ok, in a epic proportion sort of way. Epic is really not drastic, we almost lost the male species in Y. Now, I am a independent woman who is in love with science, but even I admit that would be utterly devastating. Who would I swoon over?
*Puts hand on chin* I do say... what would happen if we did loose the male species? *shrugs* Luckily, we do have authors who have a special knack for creating the most drool worthy fictional boyfriends for those of us who do not have a wonderful fellow.
The Mad Scientist devoured this book. The science aspect of this book was like a text book on a hookah for me. I do love science and my wheels were turning around every problem that presented itself in the book. No worries... My dear Bonnie breaks down the science quit nicely. So, no need to know anything about science to enjoy this book.
I must admit that I was not too fond of the prologue. I was shaking my head and almost wanted to put the book down and knit. If it was a darling book it probably would of been launched over the shoulder. Ok... that is drastic. However, even after finishing the book I still do not get the prologue. Skip it and you will have a 5 Blasts Rating.
Skipping the prologue we enter into a beautiful story with most wonderful characters that had this way of making the twists wrap up and intertwine into beautiful circles, following several different families throughout the catastrophic events of probably male species extinction. Sometimes I knew where the story was headed but most of the time Bonnie shocked me right out of my trousers. Dare I say, I just loved it! The science unfolded over time and the action of it all held your nose in the book, dying to know what happens next.
Mad Scientist Save a
Tree Stamp!!
Of course with many characters the Mad Scientist was bound to love and dislike a plenty of them. Deborah is an OBGYN, a wonderful character, although that is my mothers name so no matter how she wrote her I pictured my dear old mommy. (Surprise, I did not come from a test tube.) Surprisingly, this did not turn me off in anyway but made me like her even more, especially with the idea that my mom knows anything about science. Yeah, right! *smirk* She is a tax person. She is married to Larry, a database smartie with some amazing digital gadgets. (Futuristic Steampunk gadgets?) He was a bit too ideal of a man for me. Then there was Sam who was a character bordered on the edge of like and not sure. But I Loved him! He was interesting and well *gasp* he shocked me tremendously. It was just wonderful to get that jolt of excitement... too many books that you can guess what happens out there. Not this one. However, The Mad Scientist is cannot say if she agrees with what happened to him.
Then there was Bill, what an donkey butt!! He is a man that will make you barf all over John, the other donkey butt of the book. Beware of these two. They are the reason females dislike the male species, sexist much?
Where would we be without the characters we love and love to hate? They work so well together making the story work in that crazy wonderful way that we crave.
The Mad Scientist loved the book so much, minus that darn prologue. Bonnie Rozanski's book has a wonderful array of personalities, rape, bombing, so many scientific plots, cloning, science research, females running CEO & government positions, domestic abuse, a few small romances. This book is a different sort of book and it was something I needed right now to spark and fuel me for this coming month. If you want to read about a world going to the female population & the people in it then this book has it all.
Really a Scientific Fiction novel smashed into a
dystopian book makes the Mad Scientist really happy!
Quotes:
She looked around her at the pulsing, coursing flow of people, and thought, it's like one giant bloodstream, all of us feeding the same organism, New York City. - pg 5
Anyway, figure out how many females the average male can reproduce with, - let's say 40 times... "40?" Steven repeated incredulously. - pg 214
By: Bonnie Rozanski
Published: August 29th, 2010
E-Book 231 Pages
Book Art: The cover makes compelte sense once you read the book.
Tags: Adult, Science, Genetic Engineering, Dystopia
First Line: New York City wakes up.
Why the Mad Scientist Read this Book:
I'm reading this book by request of the author. I'm so honored and simply glad she asked!
Concoction of a Review:
The Mad Scientist stayed true to herself and did not dare to read the synopsis of Y. I jumped right into this E-Book not knowing a single thing about it. But I will let you in on the wonders behind this delightful book, in a science sort of way . Ok, in a epic proportion sort of way. Epic is really not drastic, we almost lost the male species in Y. Now, I am a independent woman who is in love with science, but even I admit that would be utterly devastating. Who would I swoon over?
*Puts hand on chin* I do say... what would happen if we did loose the male species? *shrugs* Luckily, we do have authors who have a special knack for creating the most drool worthy fictional boyfriends for those of us who do not have a wonderful fellow.
The Mad Scientist devoured this book. The science aspect of this book was like a text book on a hookah for me. I do love science and my wheels were turning around every problem that presented itself in the book. No worries... My dear Bonnie breaks down the science quit nicely. So, no need to know anything about science to enjoy this book.
I must admit that I was not too fond of the prologue. I was shaking my head and almost wanted to put the book down and knit. If it was a darling book it probably would of been launched over the shoulder. Ok... that is drastic. However, even after finishing the book I still do not get the prologue. Skip it and you will have a 5 Blasts Rating.
Skipping the prologue we enter into a beautiful story with most wonderful characters that had this way of making the twists wrap up and intertwine into beautiful circles, following several different families throughout the catastrophic events of probably male species extinction. Sometimes I knew where the story was headed but most of the time Bonnie shocked me right out of my trousers. Dare I say, I just loved it! The science unfolded over time and the action of it all held your nose in the book, dying to know what happens next.
Mad Scientist Save a
Tree Stamp!!
Of course with many characters the Mad Scientist was bound to love and dislike a plenty of them. Deborah is an OBGYN, a wonderful character, although that is my mothers name so no matter how she wrote her I pictured my dear old mommy. (Surprise, I did not come from a test tube.) Surprisingly, this did not turn me off in anyway but made me like her even more, especially with the idea that my mom knows anything about science. Yeah, right! *smirk* She is a tax person. She is married to Larry, a database smartie with some amazing digital gadgets. (Futuristic Steampunk gadgets?) He was a bit too ideal of a man for me. Then there was Sam who was a character bordered on the edge of like and not sure. But I Loved him! He was interesting and well *gasp* he shocked me tremendously. It was just wonderful to get that jolt of excitement... too many books that you can guess what happens out there. Not this one. However, The Mad Scientist is cannot say if she agrees with what happened to him.
Then there was Bill, what an donkey butt!! He is a man that will make you barf all over John, the other donkey butt of the book. Beware of these two. They are the reason females dislike the male species, sexist much?
Where would we be without the characters we love and love to hate? They work so well together making the story work in that crazy wonderful way that we crave.
The Mad Scientist loved the book so much, minus that darn prologue. Bonnie Rozanski's book has a wonderful array of personalities, rape, bombing, so many scientific plots, cloning, science research, females running CEO & government positions, domestic abuse, a few small romances. This book is a different sort of book and it was something I needed right now to spark and fuel me for this coming month. If you want to read about a world going to the female population & the people in it then this book has it all.
Really a Scientific Fiction novel smashed into a
dystopian book makes the Mad Scientist really happy!
Quotes:
She looked around her at the pulsing, coursing flow of people, and thought, it's like one giant bloodstream, all of us feeding the same organism, New York City. - pg 5
Anyway, figure out how many females the average male can reproduce with, - let's say 40 times... "40?" Steven repeated incredulously. - pg 214
November 21, 2011
--from Red Adept Reviews--
I received “Y”, by Bonnie Rozanski, as a review copy submitted to “Red Adept Reviews” by the author.
Overall: 3 1/4 Stars
This book is Mad Men meets Outbreak.
Plot/Storyline: 4 Stars
Though this may appear to be a futuristic disaster novel, it’s actually a story about the spectrum of humanity. It’s not a destination book; it’s a journey book. Taking place over thirty years, the story reveals the effects of the decline of the male population on two generations. The author did a thorough job of envisioning ways in which the decline could affect different areas of life, from single families to the global community, and the world in which she portrayed the characters felt properly surreal and potentially possible. Except, perhaps, for Monday Night Ballet. Are you ready for some jetés!?
I really enjoyed the department store as a location in the story. Not only did a lot of the action take place within it, but the way the world changed when the gender ratio unbalanced was shown in superb manner through the choices of the store owners and employees.
As strongly as science showed in the plot, I was asked to take a couple of unbelievable leaps for plot purposes. The most critical scientific discovery in the novel has a serious implication vital to humanity’s future, but it isn’t even addressed in the book. A couple of subplots were left loose or handled weakly, which emphasized that the author was not intending to address consequences and outcomes so much as the way the characters handled situations. This affects the end of the book as well.
Character Development: 3 1/2 Stars
I had a hard time telling the characters apart at the beginning of the novel. They came across more like positions on a spectrum than realistic people. Everyone had a distinct, conscious belief one way or the other on the differences between the sexes. Their opinions were rooted in place even before the Y crisis began, and I can think of only one whose opinion changed with time and circumstance. On the up side, they were delightfully consistent, making it easy to root for those I agreed with and hate those I thought were wrong—and with such a broad selection of firm opinions among the characters, everyone who reads it will feel the same way.
Children grew up to become adults; I had an easier time understanding them. The author gave them an unbalanced world, and they adapted to it organically, as children will, with their own quirks, assumptions and snap decisions. Stephen was my favorite; he was pure gold.
The “villain” character was one of the best-developed. I enjoyed reading about her; she was a flawed character who was pressured by several circumstances, who always thought she was doing what was best. And aren’t we all?
Writing Style: 2 1/2 Stars
Reading this book was like reading a wet page of newspaper that’s floating on top of a lake. It made sense, but it was permeated with something that weakened its basic structure, and it tended to drift. The heavy anchor chain of gender issues just created rifts and tears.
Much of the text had a clinical feel to it. The long, detailed conversations on scientific subjects smacked of prescription commercials. Many of the later chapters also began with an info-dump covering interim months/years. I felt like the author didn’t trust me to make basic connections between relevant facts.
The book’s predominant narrative style was telling, instead of showing. Between that and the third-person omniscient point of view, it was hard for me to relate to any of the characters.
Between the everyday technological anachronisms—snail mail, modems, Windows Vista—and the blithe scientific assumptions, this future seems a lot like the past.
When none of the above was occurring, though, the book was a delight to read. It had good pacing, a grasp of the dramatic, and the prose was nice and tight. Unfortunately, I actually noticed these times. They stood out.
Fun fact: every character whose religion/ethnicity was mentioned in the book was Jewish.
Overall, I found the concept of this plot more entertaining than the delivery. I wanted to love this novel, but it was determined to wear me down to a mere wishful tolerance.
I received “Y”, by Bonnie Rozanski, as a review copy submitted to “Red Adept Reviews” by the author.
Overall: 3 1/4 Stars
This book is Mad Men meets Outbreak.
Plot/Storyline: 4 Stars
Though this may appear to be a futuristic disaster novel, it’s actually a story about the spectrum of humanity. It’s not a destination book; it’s a journey book. Taking place over thirty years, the story reveals the effects of the decline of the male population on two generations. The author did a thorough job of envisioning ways in which the decline could affect different areas of life, from single families to the global community, and the world in which she portrayed the characters felt properly surreal and potentially possible. Except, perhaps, for Monday Night Ballet. Are you ready for some jetés!?
I really enjoyed the department store as a location in the story. Not only did a lot of the action take place within it, but the way the world changed when the gender ratio unbalanced was shown in superb manner through the choices of the store owners and employees.
As strongly as science showed in the plot, I was asked to take a couple of unbelievable leaps for plot purposes. The most critical scientific discovery in the novel has a serious implication vital to humanity’s future, but it isn’t even addressed in the book. A couple of subplots were left loose or handled weakly, which emphasized that the author was not intending to address consequences and outcomes so much as the way the characters handled situations. This affects the end of the book as well.
Character Development: 3 1/2 Stars
I had a hard time telling the characters apart at the beginning of the novel. They came across more like positions on a spectrum than realistic people. Everyone had a distinct, conscious belief one way or the other on the differences between the sexes. Their opinions were rooted in place even before the Y crisis began, and I can think of only one whose opinion changed with time and circumstance. On the up side, they were delightfully consistent, making it easy to root for those I agreed with and hate those I thought were wrong—and with such a broad selection of firm opinions among the characters, everyone who reads it will feel the same way.
Children grew up to become adults; I had an easier time understanding them. The author gave them an unbalanced world, and they adapted to it organically, as children will, with their own quirks, assumptions and snap decisions. Stephen was my favorite; he was pure gold.
The “villain” character was one of the best-developed. I enjoyed reading about her; she was a flawed character who was pressured by several circumstances, who always thought she was doing what was best. And aren’t we all?
Writing Style: 2 1/2 Stars
Reading this book was like reading a wet page of newspaper that’s floating on top of a lake. It made sense, but it was permeated with something that weakened its basic structure, and it tended to drift. The heavy anchor chain of gender issues just created rifts and tears.
Much of the text had a clinical feel to it. The long, detailed conversations on scientific subjects smacked of prescription commercials. Many of the later chapters also began with an info-dump covering interim months/years. I felt like the author didn’t trust me to make basic connections between relevant facts.
The book’s predominant narrative style was telling, instead of showing. Between that and the third-person omniscient point of view, it was hard for me to relate to any of the characters.
Between the everyday technological anachronisms—snail mail, modems, Windows Vista—and the blithe scientific assumptions, this future seems a lot like the past.
When none of the above was occurring, though, the book was a delight to read. It had good pacing, a grasp of the dramatic, and the prose was nice and tight. Unfortunately, I actually noticed these times. They stood out.
Fun fact: every character whose religion/ethnicity was mentioned in the book was Jewish.
Overall, I found the concept of this plot more entertaining than the delivery. I wanted to love this novel, but it was determined to wear me down to a mere wishful tolerance.
March 25, 2011
"Y" is an intriguing thriller that will grasp the reader from the beginning until the very end, leaving questions swirling in their minds.
I was so excited and anxious to read "Y". I have developed a true love for "possible end-of-the-world epidemic" stories and this sounded right up my alley. I was not disappointed. "Y" explores the possibility of what would happen in a world dominated my females and the desperation and extremes people would go to to try to outwit Mother Nature. This is a story that confronts issues of today, such as cloning, and the possible outcomes of such endeavors. "Y" often left me pausing within my reading, making me wonder and visualize the possibilities of the futures.
"Y" spans a very extensive length of time and for some reason, I kept calculating in my mind, exactly how old I would be at that precise time. I don't know why, but it happened several times. For me, this span of years (approximately 20) took away a bit from the book, though it is an important aspect. If the author were to take and explain what happened every year through the entire book, it would probably give the length of War and Peace a run for its money. So, with that in mind, I completely understand the need for jumping years, it just made it a bit more difficult to fully live within the characters.
With that being said, I have to say that "Y" is a wonderful book that will keep the reader reading in anticipation and wonder. I enjoyed the characters and Ms. Rozanski has an excellent writing voice and ability to draw the readers in with her descriptiveness. I have to highly recommend "Y" to everyone looking for an intriguing and thought-provoking, entertaining read. Exactly what would the world be like if run by woman and with a ratio of one man per 25 woman? Perhaps a man's dream - or nightmare?
I was so excited and anxious to read "Y". I have developed a true love for "possible end-of-the-world epidemic" stories and this sounded right up my alley. I was not disappointed. "Y" explores the possibility of what would happen in a world dominated my females and the desperation and extremes people would go to to try to outwit Mother Nature. This is a story that confronts issues of today, such as cloning, and the possible outcomes of such endeavors. "Y" often left me pausing within my reading, making me wonder and visualize the possibilities of the futures.
"Y" spans a very extensive length of time and for some reason, I kept calculating in my mind, exactly how old I would be at that precise time. I don't know why, but it happened several times. For me, this span of years (approximately 20) took away a bit from the book, though it is an important aspect. If the author were to take and explain what happened every year through the entire book, it would probably give the length of War and Peace a run for its money. So, with that in mind, I completely understand the need for jumping years, it just made it a bit more difficult to fully live within the characters.
With that being said, I have to say that "Y" is a wonderful book that will keep the reader reading in anticipation and wonder. I enjoyed the characters and Ms. Rozanski has an excellent writing voice and ability to draw the readers in with her descriptiveness. I have to highly recommend "Y" to everyone looking for an intriguing and thought-provoking, entertaining read. Exactly what would the world be like if run by woman and with a ratio of one man per 25 woman? Perhaps a man's dream - or nightmare?
January 21, 2013
The premise of this book was good one and could have been very interesting but sadly it was not to be. The characters are so typical and boring it ridiculous. You have the brainy female Dr who doesn't get taken seriously because "gasp" she's only a female. You have the blind wife who is married to a women hater, she becomes successful and of course doesn't realize that he's to abusing her daughter. The man who cheats on everyone and is so stereotypical its funny. and so on.
There really is no character development of any of the characters in this book and the story falls flat because of it. There is endless pages about science and gene therapies yet there is one huge flaw that offends my techo-weeine heart. The year is 2032 and we are supposed to believe that the Dr's brilliant engineer husband is using a dial up modem to connect his computer to the internet to do his research???
Overall a story line that could have been interesting if it wasn't so poorly written.
There really is no character development of any of the characters in this book and the story falls flat because of it. There is endless pages about science and gene therapies yet there is one huge flaw that offends my techo-weeine heart. The year is 2032 and we are supposed to believe that the Dr's brilliant engineer husband is using a dial up modem to connect his computer to the internet to do his research???
Overall a story line that could have been interesting if it wasn't so poorly written.
November 18, 2013
My thoughts: This is far fetched and extreme. I am usually all about the end of the world types, but this one was too much for me and it dealt mainly with humanity. I found it hard to believe and concentrate on. I wanted to for the author be so in love with it, but I just couldn't bring my self to that point. Are woman that much in charge that you believe you could give them dominance over everyone. I feel like it could be anyone's game not just women.
Hoe can you write a futurist novel and not include wireless systems. That brought me back to Y2K and stuff when we only had dial-up internet, I'm not going back.
I did enjoy the sense of humor and would want people to read it just for that, but I'm not feminist and don't really care for the feminist types. I hope the author has great success.
My rating: 2 stars
Hoe can you write a futurist novel and not include wireless systems. That brought me back to Y2K and stuff when we only had dial-up internet, I'm not going back.
I did enjoy the sense of humor and would want people to read it just for that, but I'm not feminist and don't really care for the feminist types. I hope the author has great success.
My rating: 2 stars
April 2, 2011
This book had a very interesting premise, the world being overpopulated with females. I enjoyed the book, who knows what might happen in this case?
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December 5, 2014I found this book interesting but the plot moved very slowly.
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