Theory of Bastards

By Audrey Schulman

A new world, no longer brave.

It’s the near future, a time of new technologies – “bodyware” implants having replaced most past means of communication – but also of climate change and dwindling resources.

Francine is a luminary in her field of evolutionary science. She joins the Foundation to study a colony of bonobo apes: remarkable animals, and the perfect creatures to certify her revolutionary feminist theory of reproduction. 

When the terrible, dry winds rise up and cut off the Foundation, silencing all the devices and endangering the survival of animals and humans alike, Francine and the man she has grown to love make a decision that may determine the possibility of a premature ending or a chance to start life over. 

A literary novel with elements of dystopia and science fiction, Theory of Bastards is an absorbing, recognizable story that will keep readers turning the pages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Europa Editions
• Release date: Apr 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781787700024

Audrey Schulman

Audrey Schulman is the author of five previous novels, including Three Weeks in December and Theory of Bastards, both published by Europa Editions. Her work has been translated into eleven languages. Born in Montreal, Schulman lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she runs a not-for-profit energy efficiency organisation. 

Reviews for Theory of Bastards

[hubblegal-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Francine (Frankie) is finally able to live her life the way she’d like to. Up until now, her life has been full of pain due to an undiagnosed disease but now she’s pain free. She’s well known for her scientific discovery, “The Theory of Bastards”, and has been given a grant to study bonobos. When a dust storm is expected and mandatory evacuation is imposed, she makes a decision to stay and care for the bonobos, along with the man she loves.This was an unexpected joy of a book. It takes place in a futuristic world, full of human computer implants and driverless cars. The story jumps back and forth from Frankie’s life when she struggles with her pain and present day. I would have given it five stars except for the fact that there were parts of the book that I felt dragged a bit, especially when Frankie first comes to the Foundation to start work with the bonobos. The slow parts are not completely without merit, though, as they include real-life studies of the bonobos that I found to be quite interesting.The story really picks up when the dust storm hits. I hadn’t realized up until that point how much I had grown to care about each of the bonobos and Frankie. The last quarter of the book was very suspenseful and I clung to every word. There’s quite a lesson on the dangers of a society so dependent on technology.Ms. Schulman has given us a well-written book with true heart. It’s a very original look at humanity and mankind’s relationship to the animal world. Recommended.This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.

[cburnett5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 starsFirst, this book is unique and hard to describe, but I loved every minute of it. Second, I am truly baffled by the cover which bears little relation to the story; book covers that do not properly depict what is inside the book are a huge pet peeve of mine. Theory of Bastards is set in the near future when resources are scarce and technology controls virtually everything. Schulman’s prose is crisp, compelling, and lyrical, and she crafts characters who are complex, thoughtful, and clever. Her depiction of the future is chilling and unforgiving. I do not want to spoil anything about the book by saying much about the plot, but I loved the book and finished it in less than two days. Highly recommended!