Cult Books & Miscellaneous discussion

This is the place to discuss Ark Baby by Liz Jensen.

Hi all - don't know if anyone else got into this - but here's my review.

Not at all what I expected - but I liked this book very much indeed.

This book is a hoot.

For a start it is actually a good book about evolution. I could almost shelve it under science. Even structurally, the two time lines coil around each other like a double helix.

It is funny - she has a great turn of phrase.

'Carpe Deum', says the newly reinvented Buck De Saville, 'Seize the day. Grab it by the through and rattle its bollocks'.

There's the moment when a creationist preacher refutes Darwin with tales of how intelligent his God is. Not only does God make a lobster to feed us, he proclaims, but also to entertain is with the funny way he changes color and waves his claws around when you boil him.

I think Ms Jenson's a vegetarian. So am I. This provides a very strong subtext - but don't worry about it - she doesn't preach.

But despite the publicity it's not really a comedy. Funny sure, but there is much more to it than that. If there is a big theme it's about humanity, and how those of us who are least 'human' can be the most humane. In fact, the walls we build around ourselves are really exposed for the works of arrogance they are.

This is a smart book. And best of all, Liz Jensen shows us that smart can be fun too.

Thanks Chris for posting your thoughts and review. Sounds like an interesting read. Anyone else had a chance to read it?