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Theory of Bastards
Theory of Bastards
Theory of Bastards
Ebook460 pages7 hours

Theory of Bastards

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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The Philip K. Dick Award–winning sci-fi novel: “A riveting page-turner” about the behavior of primates—human and otherwise—“in a very near and dire future” (The Washington Post).
 
Winner of the 2019 Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award for Speculative Fiction
One of The Washington Post’s 50 Notable Works of fiction in 2018
 
In a world where coastal cities flood, dust storms plague the Midwest, and implants connect humans directly to the Web, Dr. Francine Burk has broken new ground in the study of primate sexuality. While in recovery from a long-needed surgery—paid for with a portion of her McArthur “genius” award money—Frankie is offered placement at a prestigious research institute where she can verify her subversive scientific discovery: her Theory of Bastards.
 
Leaving Manhattan for a research campus outside Kansas City, Frankie finds that the bonobos she’s studying are complex, with distinct personalities. She comes to know them with the help of her research partner, a man with a complicated past and perhaps a place in her future. But when the entire campus is caught in a sudden emergency, the lines between subject and scientist—and between colleague and companion―begin to blur.
 
Audrey Schulman Award–winning novel explores the nuances of communication, the implications of unquestioned technological advancement, and the enduring power of love in a way that is essential and urgent in today’s world.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 24, 2018
ISBN9781609454388
Author

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. 

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    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.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Francine "Frankie" Burk, an evolutionary psychologist, has taken a research position at a midwestern institute to study bonobos vis a vis her hypothesis of a "Theory of Bastards," her theory about the benefits of having a lover's baby, rather than your husband's. She is studying the sex habits of the bonobos, attempting to discover whether the females make different choices of sexual partners during their fertile periods than during their non-fertile periods.I really liked the first part of this book describing Frankie's efforts to gain the bonobos' trust, as well as her observations of their behaviors. In fact, there is a lot of information about factual scientific research regarding bonobos which is very interesting. But then, about half-way through the book, it morphs into a climate change apocalyptic novel. A huge dust storm comes up which destroys all technology. The institute is cut off from the rest of the world (whatever remains of it) and Frankie and her research partner must figure out how to feed the bonobos, and how to survive in a catastrophically changed world. I wasn't expecting this, although perhaps I should have been since the novel won a couple of science fiction literary awards.3 stars

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Theory of Bastards - Audrey Schulman

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