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Title: The First Century After Beatrice: A Novel by Amin Maalouf by Amin Maalouf, Dorothy S. Blair ISBN: 0-8076-1373-8 Publisher: George Braziller Pub. Date: June, 1995 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.50

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Average Customer Rating: 4.43 (7 reviews)

Rating: 2
Summary: Stop telling me!
Comment: One of the basic pieces of advice given to any aspiring writer of fiction is to show, rather than tell, the reader what is happening in the story. Maalouf's novel - in spite of his skill at characterisation, analogy, and turn of phrase - falls rather flat because at every stage we are only told of the unfolding tragedy, as in a history book, rather than shown its effects on people. Speculative fiction of this kind works best when we see how individuals are affected by the global tragedy, rather than hearing about it through characters who are geographically removed from the worst of its impact.

The narrator criticises the people "back then" at the start of the twenty-first century, as the tragedy began to make the news, for their indifference and removal from the subject, but sadly that is the reaction he provoked his this reader with his detatched, news soudbite-esque telling of the tale. ("And then, there was rioting in [insert name of fictional African country here].")

The very best passages in this novel are when the narrator speaks of his companion, Clarence, and his daughter, the eponymous Beatrice, and here the prose is shining with tenderness and love. Towards the end, events begin to threaten his loved ones directly, and the peril begins to feel real, but the danger never truly materialises.

In the end, this comes off more as an intellectual exercise in what-if than a living, breathing fiction.

Rating: 5
Summary: A beautiful book.
Comment: The First century after Beatrice was a perfect read. Short, making you want it more than anything too go on! Amin Maalouf writes melodies of words, sentances that are beautiful... His characters are clear and imaginable, but maintain a shadowy edge, as if a slight magic mist is with them at all times. The story is good. Believable. I don't want to use the term science fiction for fear of bringing robots into your head, it's not that at all. It is the best sort of science fiction. Brilliantly written, believable unreality. You are guaranteed to enjoy. Love Mari a xx

Rating: 4
Summary: A Thought-Provoking and Entertaining Novel
Comment: I just finished reading this book (it took me two days) and I have to say that it was quite a joy and a change from Maalouf's other books. The writing style is, as usual, first rate and the difference lies in it being more creative and philosophical. While reading it one cannot help but wonder about the state of our world and the very likely scenarios set out here. This is even more important today with the seemingly limitless possibilities expected from genetic manipulation now that the human genome has been cracked. A very enlightening book that is a joy to read.