Genesis

‘Genesis’ was a very short novel, though this says nothing about its depth and the amount of thinking it will leave you to do. It is an incredibly layered novel, with many different aspects to think about. The strangest part, for me, was that I was rather bored throughout reading it, but came

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to a far better understanding and appreciation of ‘Genesis’ a few hours after I had finished reading it.

The story is an unusual one, set in a post-apocalyptic future. The world has recovered from some sort of mass warfare, economic and social collapse and straight out confusion. From what I gathered, a third world war had basically broken out, decimating Earth’s population. A virus was also introduced, which played a major part in the downfall of the world as we know it. Those who were left began their own colony of sorts, where they rejected refugees out of fear that the virus would return. People were sorted into class systems according to their intelligence and physical form at birth. Adam Forde, a main focus of the novel, is born into the highest class, but after several attempts at rebellion he is demoted to watching for refugees that he is instructed to gun down. Adam, however, saves a young girl that he sees. This results in him being put in a facility as a companion to the secret artificial intelligence program that had created Art, a robot.

The story is told from the perspective of Anaximander, or Anax. She is in an exam to enter the famous Academy, with her topic being the life of Adam Forde.
The writing style is interesting, with the story being conveyed in the form of questions from the examiners, and answers from Anax. This format, however, I found to be quite dry and emotionless. It was all straight facts from practically the first page, and for me, it was information overload. Info-dump isn’t good at the best of times, and I admit, I was tired when I started this, but it was all too much to take in. There was facts about the world flying left right and center and there was just too much at one time to retain. The format was a new and interesting way of presenting the novel, but in the situation where a lot of information needs to be conveyed (especially in a novel as short as this) I felt that it didn’t work all that well.

Anax might have been an interesting character, though I feel that we really didn’t get to know much about her. Again, this comes back to the style of the novel, which made my relationship with Anax impersonal. We didn’t get enough internal monologue, and so there just wasn’t enough of Anax’s feelings and opinions being conveyed. Sure, we got what she told the examiners, but that really wasn’t enough.
Adam, however, was another story. From the reports of him conveyed by Anax, I felt we got to know Adam quite well. He was a likeable character, with real feelings and the sort of rebellious hero personality that you expect from post-apocalyptic novels.
Art was also an interesting and creative character. His design was innovative and intriguing, and his conviction was admirable. I did, however, have mixed feelings about Art. I’m not sure whether I like him or I don’t!

The plot of the novel was complicated, and although the language wasn’t hard for me, I found the book a little confusing. This probably stemmed from all the philosophical ‘humanity’ talk that came about from Adam and Art’s conversations. This got pretty deep, and required a lot of thought. At the time, I found these conversations pretty dull, and put the book down several times. After finishing, however, I couldn’t get the novel out of my head and just kept thinking about them. There was something about the ‘humanity/conscience’ debate that just pulled me in, long after I had put Genesis down.
I’m not sure where the Adam, Eve and Genesis references really fit into the book, however.

The twist and ending of the novel came as a surprise for me, though I was quite confused towards the end and had to read things several times – and I’m still a little lost! At one stage, during the real climax of the novel, I think I was (and you should be shocked) almost about to cry…and then it was gone. Seriously, the moment it hit an emotional moment, it went straight back to being flat. I was a little annoyed at that – OK, maybe I was just tired and emotional, but the moment was just gone in a flash. Bummer.
Still, the ending was pretty confusing.

Genesis puts forward a lot of ethical dilemmas, which are relevant even now. When I read it, I found the novel dragging and it had a bit of info-dump at times, but it’s after I finished the novel that it really hit home for me. It’s a heavy book, in the way that it leaves you thinking about it, but light in that it’s pretty short.
I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something short, but questioning, and anyone interested in post-apocalyptic YA literature. While the character and the plot are a little dry, the novel will leave you thinking long after you’re done.

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A short but engaging philosophical take on a familar science fiction artificial intelligence theme. I read it in a morning. The book's original audience was described as "young adult" - and it certainly satisfies that audience's taste for rich dystopian worlds. The author steers a course between

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competing ideas from Penrose's "The Emperor's New Mind" and Hofstadter and Dennett's "The Mind's I".

I can see this book becoming a set text for high school examinations, rather as "The Handmaid's Tale" has become. That's not a criticism of the book - I enjoyed it and The Handmaid's Tale. There's certainly plenty of scope for a short high school reader's guide to explain some of the rich allusions - some more obvious than others. High school students will pick up the references to classical Athens readily but are likely to need help identifying those ideas which are classically Platonic from the less explicitly referenced dystopian aspects of Spartan governance. It's an interesting synthesis. Other themes less familiar to the modern reader are the Aristotelian unities that are preserved in the book.

A worthwhile read that is thought provoking. I am rather less scared by its core conceits than some other reviwers.

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When I started reading, I didnt realise this was a New Zealand author, and even when the book talked of Aotearoa, I just though, oh cool, someone is thinking globally. Duh. But yes, this book is set in future New Zealand. And the world has gone to the dogs.

Plagues have wiped out everyone bar the

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lot inside the safe sea walls surrounding Aotearoa/New Zealand. Sentries guard the coast and shoot any stray survivor refugees on sight. Society is pleasant. Everyone behaves and accepts the place they are assigned and the duties that go with it. Until Adam Forde starts to question things.

This book is set at various points in the future. So Adam Fordes actions and their consequences are being discussed as past events by our hero, Anax. She is delivering a spoken assignment on her take on Fordes life and the event that is to shape all their lives. It raises, and discusses, a lot of existential issues. Consciousness, societal roles, philosophy all play a big part in the dialogue. All intertwined with artificial intelligence and its role in this new world. All this and a cracker ending. A pretty good, short read overall.

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Anaximander, with the help of a tutor, has been studying in order to take the four-hour exam she must pass in order to become a member of The Academy. This book is mostly a transcript to her oral exam before a three judge panel.

I found Mr. Beckett's writing style unique as the whole story is told

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mostly through Anax's interview with The Academy elders and through several flashbacks. Through this interview we learn what has become of the world after wars and a deadly plague have ravaged the planet and its inhabitants. Behind the great sea fence, the people who reside on her island keep it safe by shooting any vessel that comes within sight. We also get a lot of detail on how their precious island came to be, the forefathers who had the knowledge to create their walled-in sanctuary, a man named Adam and how history was changed when a young woman named Eve washed ashore.

As you read Anax's story you quickly become immersed in the history of this post-apocalyptic world and you become just as intrigued by Adam and his interactions with a robot named Art. But Anax slowly begins to suspect that the history she knows so much of might not be as correct as she once thought... making you, as the reader, wonder if the truth will set her free.

I have become quite the fan of dystopian / post-apocalyptic novels recently. And,this is, by far, one of the best I've read. Although it's really a short read (only 208 pages), it is packed full of philosophical ideas - from living in the ideal society to what it is to be human. I was pretty awed that this would be considered YA fiction - since it is so philosophical, but do not let that stop you from reading it. This can definitely be a cross-over into adult fiction. Oh, and have I mentioned that surprise ending that I was caught totally unaware by and left with a big "O" on my mouth. Love when that happens! This one will definitely appeal to science fiction and philosophy lovers.

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This was an excellent short story with a delightful little twist we have seen before but never presented in such a unique and interesting manner.

I loved that the story is being told about our main protagonist is also one of her telling the story of another. The flashbacks and details presented in

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those flashbacks paint the perfect picture of a society crumbling under it's own impression making you wonder what the world is really like for our main character. Bernard Beckett doesn't disappoint either.

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Huxley meets Plato meets Lowry in this new novella imported from New Zealand. Anaximander is an amazing scholar – she’s studied history and has been invited to take an exam that could lead to an amazing career. Her specialty is the life of Adam, a legendary hero of her post-apocalyptic culture.

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Told almost entirely in dialogue – between Anax and the examiners – Genesis is a uniqe work of fiction that recalls a possible future, one that is terrifying to imagine. You will be easily lost in Beckett’s fast-paced narrative and, as each twist and turn unravels, you will find yourself emotionally invested in Anaximander’s plight. Genesis is an important book that fans of dystopian literature will devour.

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In Plato’s Republic, an island nation in the future where no one from the outside is allowed in, Anaximander begins her four-hour-long examination for entrance into The Academy. She has researched the life of Adam Forde, a well-known soldier who made history when he rescued an outsider girl from

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the sea and changed the course of the Republic forever.

As Anax tells the Examiners what she knows about Adam’s life and the subsequent events that followed, she begins to question the existence of humanity, the purpose of the Republic, and the safety of her own future, ultimately making a discovery that turns her life—and the readers—upside down for a shocking conclusion.

How can I describe GENESIS in a way that will do it justice? It’s a chilling piece of dystopian literature, a psychological thriller that terrifies even though it takes place entirely in a four-hour-long conversation. It’s not light reading, for sure, and will force you to think long and hard about it days after you’ve finished the book.

On that note, though, I think that all the time you’ll have to put into thinking about this book and the issues it raises is completely worth it. There are long conversations that delve into questions of the worth of humanity and the dangers—and advantages—of artificial intelligence. The ending in particular was so unexpected, so original and yet so appropriate that once you’ve read it you can think of no other way to end the book. I would read this book again and again just to understand the circumstances that led up to the fascinating ending, an ending that will stay with you forever.

All in all, don’t miss GENESIS. It’s not a typical young adult read, that’s for sure, and will be difficult for many people to comprehend, but if you put the effort into it, trust me, it will be very worth it.

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Anax wants to become a member of The Academy. In order to be admitted, she must endure a four hour interview in front of a three member panel. Anax has been working with a tutor in order to prepare herself.It is through this four hour interview that the reader learns the history of the world after

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a devastating plague killed most of the people on the planet. Safe behind the Great Sea Fence, her people keep their island safe by shooting any plane or boat that comes within sight. The society is based on rigid rules like: men and women living separately, parentage being kept from children, and at one year of age children are tested to determine what class they will be placed in based on their genomic reading (Laborers, Soldiers, Technicians, or Philosophers).History is not what it seems. Anax learns more about her world during the interview than she did during all her days of preparation. She realizes The Academy isn’t what it appears to be, but is it too late to change her current path?GENESIS is a fast-paced story. It is interesting to read about the post-apocalyptic world Anax lives in. Bernard Beckett does a great job of building the story without revealing too much too soon. The ending will leave you stunned.

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Bernard Beckett’s Genesis is a fast-paced read – for science fiction fans it will prove to be too short at 150 pages. Personally, I am not a science fiction fan, not by any stretch of the imagination but I found Beckett’s narrative to be engaging and thought-provoking.

Though Genesis is great

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reading for pure enjoyment it is also a stimulating novel for classroom discussions. Its major themes of totalitarianism, dystopian worlds, political and social orders will compliment studies of world governments and history.

I am eager to recommend this to anyone looking for science fiction as well as ‘reluctant readers’. Additionally, I will look for more from this New Zealand writer as I think he will prove a big hit with my high school students.

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Intriguing, thought-provoking, entertaining, fast-paced--what more would we want from a novella? The less you know about the plot going in, the more you'll enjoy your experience, especially the jarring end. While it is classified as science fiction, it is more in the realm of The Giver and 1984

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with echoes of Socratic discussions. The plot hums along as ideas are treated like tennis balls on a fast court. For the reader, it's like watching a champion match at Wimbledon, to torture that metaphor further--polite but intense and determined.

The format of a teenage girl undergoing an oral examination to enter The Academy, THE elite institution of this society, allows a retelling of the history of this post-apocalyptic world. Sound dry? NOT. It's more like the dance of the 7 veils, because you think you can see through to the ultimate image but with each reveal comes a shape-changing surprise.

Because this is a novel of ideas, it begs to be discussed and it would be especially interesting to share with 'sentient teens' if you're lucky enough to know any. A great choice for book groups, school discussions, family vacations. I really enjoy being forced to question basic assumptions, and the aptly named Genesis does that in a increasingly challenging manner, but it never forgets to entertain, and occasionally, force a brief hoot of laughter to escape.

Stop reading reviews, and go read the book.

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Read on the strength of Tyler Cowen's review. Maybe more of a puzzle than a novel. And it gets the Chinese room wrong, or at least, not right enough. I suspect I am too steeped in the topics to be a good reviewer. Were one not exposed to Searle, and to Yudiekowsky style AI-in-a-box discussions,

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this might be a highly enjoyable book. As is, I read it in two solid hours and more or less enjoyed in.

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I am finding it a little hard to summarize Genesis without totally spoiling everything - or making it completely complicated and boring. I don't know what I had been expected, but the story that I got was beyond intriguing and different from the usual YA or science fiction book. I did not prepare

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myself for an intellectual discussion on man vs robots, conscious vs artificial thought, or a twisted ending that completely caught me off-guard.

I'll describe Genesis like a slow roast - a little dry on the outside, but full of savory food for thought on the inside. Anax's examination served as a medium to delivering the story of Adam Forde and his role in the development of artificial intelligence. I wish there had been more focus on Anax's character, that we got to know her a little bit better beyond her academic ambitions.

Other than that, this was truly an unexpected treat from fluffy romances and reading slumps. A short but excellent science fiction read! If you liked Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, then you will most likely enjoy Genesis.

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This sounded like an interesting book when I picked it up from the library (a story about what it means to be human). It started off well, having been written in a very interesting style. However, the story twist came very quickly and so near the end that I hadn't even taken it in before the book

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ended. In brief, an OK plot but could have done with more decriptions and fleshing out to make it a good book.

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This was an intriguing book, and another one that I think fits into sci-fi for those who don't normally read sci-fi. It's also got a generous dollop of philosophy, which I think almost all great sci-fi has, and is about the only way I want to read anything that has to do with philosophy.

Genesis is

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the story of Anaximander's entrace exam for The Academy. It is a four-hour exam in which she with be questioned by three examiners on the subject of her choice. Anax's speciality is a man called Adam Forde, who we know is connected with the creation of Anax's society, but other than that, we learn about him and this new society as the Anax answers questions. We also discover what came of our current world, how The Republic was created, and how Adam challenged society and changed it. Of course, things are not what they seem and Anax has a tenuous connection to Adam of which she is not aware. The idea of humanity, of thoughts, ideas, and feelings, are called into question throughout the test, and the reader is often exposed to layers of story all at once, from Adam's perspective to Anax's interactions with the examiners to her private thoughts and fears.

I spent the majority of the story wondering what the swerve would be, and enjoyed it when it was revealed. Even flipping back through the book, there are wonderful clues and hints at how the exam and Adam's story will end. However, I think this story ends up being more about the philosophy than about science fiction. Anax's story's ending is good but felt just a bit predictable. Adam's story felt like the strong point of the book, and I think the connection, particularly between Anax and Adam could've used some more development, since the reveal comes so quickly.

Overall, an interesting book that creates interesting discussion points and would make for a few good reads. It's a fast-paced story and a compelling story-telling technique.

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This was a short, interesting little book. Set in a not-so-distant dystopian future, the novel centers around Anaximander, a young student, who is being questioned by the members of the Academy, in order to gain a place among their ranks. It is through this interview that we learn the history of

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the society Anax lives in. I don't want to give too much away, but it's all about the nature of humanity and freedom, with a great twist at the end. I'm not sure about the style of the book, it almost reads like a play, with pages of dialogue, and I'm not sure it wouldn't have worked better that way. Still recommended, especially for fans of dystopian literature, or people who are interested in artificial intelligence. Three and a half stars.

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In a not-too-distant dystopic future, a student takes an oral examination in hopes of joining the elite Academy which runs her society. Her area of expertise is the study of a magnetic historical personage named Adam, whose actions changed the development of the society in ways which are revealed

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only in the last few pages. Memorable, disturbing, and thought-provoking (and that's an inside joke which only a reader of the book will get).

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It’s extremely difficult to review this book without giving away the most surprising elements of the story. But as a lover of dystopian settings I’ll say that this one was pretty awesome. It’s one hundred percent worth your time to read.

It’s a pretty short story that is quickly read. Having

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said that, however quick a reader can get through is of no real consequence though as it is as profound and thought-provoking a book as many of the classics. I’m going to get a bit cliche here and say that when all is said and done Genesis is the very definition of a page-turner.

Beckett paints the picture of a stunning locale — futuristic in tone but simplistic in reality. Moreover, he generates innovative and enthralling characters in Anax, Adam and Art. Each obviously has their own individual characteristics but are all also bound together by their love of thought. Their story, told primarily in flashbacks, is a stunning portrait of how one event can be the catalyst to shaping an individual’s opinions on humanity, religion and government.

Subtle hints throughout the story foreshadow the end (which I will not spoil here) but, surprisingly, did not give it all away. It wasn’t until I went back and re-read certain points that I noticed small references, a word here and there, that reinforced the ultimate resolution to the story. Beckett was quite masterful in that way.

In case you didn’t already get the idea, I absolutely recommend that anyone read this book. Even if you aren’t a sci-fi fan (it’s really not overwhelming in the fantasy elements) I believe you’ll find it enjoyable.

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Genesis is New Zealand author Bernard Beckett's breakout novel and probably the biggest novel out of New Zealand at the moment. Originally published in his country of origin in 2006 - where it went on to win a number of awards - in 2008 Genesis made New Zealand publishing history when it was

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offered the largest advance ever put forward for a young adult novel. The novel was released in the UK as two separate editions: adult and young adult, and went into bidding wars in over 20 other countries, including the US. One of the blurbs says it is destined to be "a modern classic."

It's very short, readable in 3 hours or so, but it is philosophically and symbolically dense that rewards reflection and slowing down. Although set in a post-apocalyptic world with science fiction trappings (ie. a giant metal "sea fence" around an island), it really is a novel about philosophically age old questions and ideas. It's been compared to Philip K. Dick with its emphasis on asking what it means to be human; the nature of consciousness and artificial intelligence; the nature of a soul and what makes humans unique. At its core it is an essentially humanistic story, relevant to the here and now, as the best fiction is.

If one is reading for the plot and wondering what happens, it will not disappoint, it "gripped me like a vice" said Jonathan Stroud, but the novel brings up a whole host of questions and ideas that are really at the core of the book. This is a thinking persons story. Is it a classic? I don't think so, at least not on the level of 1984 or Brave New World, but it is very good international fiction from New Zealand, a good story, and thought provoking ideas about man and machine.

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Anax is standing before a panel of examiners, the three people who will decide her fate: will she be admitted to the Academy? Is her knowledge and understanding of her topic--Adam Forde, the historical figure whose actions may have changed the course of their utopian Republic--enough to prove

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herself worthy?

That's pretty much the whole story: the reader (or in my case, listener) gets the history of this culture as Anax understands it, without a lot of time spent on explaining the current culture. It's an interesting approach in its own right; the reader doesn't learn much about the society as it currently stands until the very end, when the truth about Adam's final decisions is revealed, along with what that means for Anax.

It's not the most engrossing plot, bogged down as it is in discussions of philosophy and ethics as they relate to the explosion of technology and AI. (This isn't set all that far off--2075, in a world both post-apocalyptic and plague-ridden.) There were elements of the ending I liked and elements that didn't quite fit, but overall this tied together very well. I enjoyed it but didn't love it, though I can think of a few people who would absolutely go bonkers for this academic utopian novel.

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Genesis by Bernard Beckett is one of those books in which is best to know nothing about it before starting to read it. So for that reason I have not include a synopsis here on my blog. As Genesis is a short book, weighing in at only 160 pages, its hard to say too much about it without giving

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anything away. Its also a book in which I've only heard rave things said about it so I was eager to read it. However, the high price tag (retails at $20, ebook at $14) made me pause at actually buying it. Thankfully my local library had a copy so I was able to borrow it.

Initially I found this book hard to get into and so it took me longer to finish than it probably should have. I also found the story to be a bit predictable. I didn't find much fresh or new about it compared to books that have a similar storyline. There were some thought provoking aspects of it but overall they didn't really win me over to the story as a whole. I liked it, but I didn't love it nor do I think this is one that I would recommend to any dystopian lovers out there. Mainly because as I said above, there isn't anything fresh to this story. The world building was a bit underdeveloped as to where the inhabitants of this island were now. But the history of the world was pretty fleshed out and I did enjoy learning about that. In some ways I think that this story might have done better if it had more pages with which to tell it in. What about you? Have you read Genesis? What did you think about it? Let me know in the comments below.

As originally posted on my blog Ticket to Anywhere

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As a fan of the genre, I stuck with this story until the end. It raises some interesting questions about human choices in the face of isolation from plague, generosity of spirit, educational excellence and the merits of human experience versus machine design, but in the end, the characters never

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really developed for me. Perhaps that was by author design, but it made it difficult to care in the end, which has a surprising twist. This is a relatively easy read for grades 8-10, although there are better examples in the genre that would possible interest them more.

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Plot: Anax is a bright young history student who wants to be admitted to the prestigious Academy that guides her society. In order to succeed, she must pass a grueling 5 hour oral exam to test her knowledge of her chosen subject, the controversial and charismatic Adam Forde. Through her words we

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learn about the relationship between Adam and the android art and how it changed the world forever.

This is a short novel, I read it in one sitting, but a very thought provoking one. It reminds me of novels such as Brave New World and 1984. The frame used to tell the story is very effective and leads to some truly shocking revelations whereas the story of Adam and Art makes you think long and hard about your ideas of consciousness, history, ethics and the state.

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A very strange novel, but very good -- if extremely sad at the end. I suggest reading it without knowing anything about it -- because it'll blow your mind.

Amaaaaaaazing book. Thrilling and unexpected.