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Title: Sims by F. Paul Wilson ISBN: 0-7653-0551-8 Publisher: Forge Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (9 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Scary peek into the future of genetics
Comment: It is the near future, and there have been amazing advances in genetics research. Through gene therapy, many diseases have been cured. The SimGen Corporation has now created a transgenic species called sims, part chimpanzee and part human, that are used as slave labor. Suddenly a group of sims working as caddies at a golf club want to unionize. They hire lawyer Patrick Sullivan to represent them, and he begins to ponder whether sims are entitled to human rights. He soon meets activist Romy Cadman and a mysterious masked man, simply called Zero, who are on a crusade to destroy SimGen and stop the creation of sims. While the three of them try to protect the sims, they come close to uncovering a sinister secret in SimGen, and the company will stop at nothing to deter them.
The reader is treated to a fascinating peek into a possible future for genetics research. This hypothetical forecast is not so far-fetched, however scary and unethical it might be. Transgenic animals, in which human genetic material is inserted into animal DNA, are already being created today for the benefit of humanity. Transgenic cows have been developed, and they have human proteins in their milk, such as insulin, that can be used by the pharmaceutical industry to treat human disease. Pigs with human DNA are being developed with the goal of future use in organ transplants. This novel carries genetic experimentation forward to a next logical step: transgenic primates. Where would such creatures stand in society? Would they be considered people or animals?
"Sims" was originally written as a series of novellas, but the story holds together seamlessly as a novel. Although very different from F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack novels, it is an excellent science thriller. At times the story line is a bit formulaic, a la Robin Cook, with an evil corporation twisting medical procedures for its own unspeakable ends and ruthlessly destroying those who stand in its path. But it touches on a fascinating subject, is fast-paced, and is full of edge-of-your-seat suspense. The ending has a surprising twist. I recommend this book not only as a riveting read but also as food for thought on the ethics of genetic manipulation.
Eileen Rieback
Rating: 5
Summary: Great thriller
Comment: I am a huge fan of F. Paul Wilson. Ever since I read the short story collection, Soft and Others and his first Adversary Cycle novel The Keep back in the 1980s, I've kept my eye out for every Wilson novel since. I especially enjoy the Repairman Jack series.
So when I saw that Wilson was releasing a set of novellas called Sims, I panicked because each one was $35 each and I knew I couldn't afford to get them all. Imagine my relief when I noticed that they had been combined into one volume.
Sims is a science thriller about gene splicing. Scientists, armed with the information that humans and chimps share 98.4% of their DNA, have hybridized the two into a new species, the sim. Sims are used primarily as servants, entirely owned by and leased from SimGen, a conglomerate owned by the two Sinclair brothers--Mercer and Ellis.
Lawyer Patrick Sullivan is asked one day by a sim to represent them in a suit to unionize all sims. When he accepts, all hell breaks loose. Who knew sims could think that way, does that make them more human than monkey?
Author F. Paul Wilson raises this question in others while keeping the story moving. He is at his best in this type of thriller. And there are lots of interesting characters along for the ride, not least the mysterious Zero who is leading the fight against SimGen. But why? And who is behind Zero, financing his ventures? All the questions are answered in the end.
Sims is a wild ride from one of the great modern authors, showing us he is still at the peak of his game. I can't wait for the next F. Paul Wilson thriller.
Rating: 5
Summary: Compelling and current
Comment: Patrick Sullivan is a lawyer, not an activist. If the country club managers hadn't been so rude and so contemptuous, he would have walked away from the sims seeking a union. In a moment of pique, however, he took on the clients and the case--and set himself up for a world of trouble. SimGen has become one of the largest corporations in America largely on the strength of one 'product.' A genetically altered species of chimpanzee, with human genes spliced in--the sim. Thanks to hardworking sims (engineered to work without complaining, without pay, and without weekends and holidays), the U.S. is able to compete with low-wage countries again, able to spare its 'humans' from the worst jobs, and able to enjoy an economic boom. When Patrick files his lawsuit, SimGen turns its legal and extra-legal weapons directly on him--because sims are property, and property cannot unionize, cannot petition the government, and certainly cannot be considered 'people' in any sense--not if SimGen is to stay in business. Worse, SimGen has powerful backers--backers that frighten even the corporation's founders. They don't like Patrick much either. Fortunately, Patrick finds a few allies--in an organization that is trying to eliminate the entire sim industry. But allies like that can get him killed too.
Author F. Paul Wilson has created a powerful and exciting story out of current headlines. In scientific circles, there is currently a debate about whether chimpanzees should be reclassified as part of genus homo--as part of the human family. They are, in fact, more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas. DNA research is inserting genes from one species into another--to produce insect resistant crops and specialty animals for medical research. Science could allow development of something like the sims, and allow it relatively soon. Wilson's fears about the government backing down to financial pressures and of secret government funding of projects is also based on current trends--the C.I.A. has even created a venture capital fund to promote research into areas of its interest. Wilson didn't even get into the heart of the problems of government agencies who have their own funding and no need to go to Congress for funding and authorization.
Wilson's strong writing propells the story forward. Although many of the plot twists are predictable, they are, nevertheless, enjoyable and satisfying. SIMS is hard to put down. I read it in a single sitting.
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Title: Gateways by F. Paul Wilson ISBN: 0765306905 Publisher: Forge Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: The Fifth Harmonic by F. Paul Wilson ISBN: 1571743863 Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: Midnight Mass by F. Paul Wilson ISBN: 0765307057 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: The Haunted Air by F. Paul Wilson ISBN: 0312878680 Publisher: Forge Pub. Date: 18 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Hosts by F. Paul Wilson ISBN: 081256166X Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 01 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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