Beggars in Spain

Beggars in Spain, if you didn't read it when it was published in the '90s, is worth a look. Kress writes sociologically pointed science fiction, and this is one of her best. Leisha and Alice Camden are fraternal twins. Leisha has been genetically engineered to (among other things) live without sleep. Alice is unaltered. At first, Sleeplessness is an unmitigated blessing -- it turns out the Sleepless are effectively immortal. But the rest of humanity isn't as pleased with their good fortune. Kress's near-future doesn't start out dystopian -- energy is free and genetic engineering is successful. But as the Sleepless begin at first to dominate the global economy and then to isolate themselves as a result of the intense prejudice they face, things take a turn for the worse. Soon, most of humanity is withering away by free resources and lack of opportunities. Leisha is the perfect protagonist -- Kress's voice is often a bit cold, and Leisha herself is, too. The Sleepless are curiously insensitive to art and imagination, a product (so we are led to believe) of their lack of dreaming. Is this the way Sleeplessness would work out? For myself, I can't say I would get a whole lot more done if I didn't sleep, though I would be very well-read. And would people turn away from the gifts Sleeplessness could offer their children to spare them prejudice? I doubt it. But it's something to think about.

In the not-so-distant future, it becomes possible to genetically engineer children. This is the story of one such child built to the specifications of her wealthy industrialist father, Leisha Camden, who is beautiful, blonde, intelligent, and who does not need to sleep. The story follows Leisha's growing up in an America that gradually grows to hate and resent Leisha and her peers. Leisha is one of the most three-dimensional characters I have ever read, and I agonized with her over the moral decisions she was forced to make. Calls into question everyone's rights as citizens and human beings. Was there ever a good decision made by committee? Is any man good enough to govern another without their consent? Like Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, but without the mind-numbing twenty-page speeches. Every time I read this novel, I get something different from it. A perennial favorite, I cannot recommend it enough if you like a good moral dilemma.

Before I read 'Beggars in Spain,' I read the short story that the novel is expanded from. To be honest, I thought turning such a powerful story into a novel would lessen its impact. I was wrong.The novel version of 'Beggars in Spain' begins with a simple premise: What if science could genetically alter humans so that they needed no sleep? Think of the advances and discoveries mankind could make, think of all the achievements that would be possible if we never had to sleep for 6, 7, or 8 hours a day. The theory becomes a reality for Leisha Camden and many other "sleepless." It doesn't take long before the sleepless are shunned by the rest of society and forced to develop their own community. But the persection doesn't stop there...'Beggars in Spain' has so many things going for it that so many science fiction novels lack. First (and most important in my mind), Kress gives us believable characters that are interesting. You actually believe that these people could be real and would be fascinated to meet them. Leisha is a character I will remember for a long, long time. Next, Kress does something that I wish more science fiction writers would (or could) do: She explains how the science in her story works in a way that a non-scientist can understand it! (Imagine that!) Let me say for the record that I have an extremely weak science background, but thanks to the author's talent, I felt that I understood the basis for all the science that was included in the story. In short, I wasn't intimidated at all. The characters and the understandable science are important, but I was really knocked out by the multitude of questions that are raised by 'Beggars in Spain.' The book admirably addresses such questions as genetic engineering (How far should science go?), aging, class distinction, euthanasia, community rights,... Kress poses some very difficult questions without backing down from them one bit. I appreciate the honesty and courage that I'm sure it took to write this book. It is tremendous. This is not a novel just for science fiction fans. For anyone who appreciates good writing and an intelligent story that will stick with you long after you turn the last page, 'Beggars in Spain' will not disappoint.

What I got out of this book is that genetics gives us potentials, but it is what we do with those potentials that matter. Find your skills & use them for good. Sounds silly perhaps, but in least she inspires through hope instead of pandering through fear. It doesn't matter whether her science is right. She is most definitely right about doing the best with what you have. In least I think she is.

The first half had surprisingly real characters in a surprisingly real world. This is one of the few science fiction books where the characters reminded me of people I know. For instance I can't imagine meeting an Ender Wiggin, Teela Brown, R. Daneel Olivaw, or a Paul Atreides despite the fact they're great characters. The book also shows the appeal & problems with Libertarianism. Characterization doesn't hurt the plot or ideas & I like that. A minor flaw is its "Americanness" & the title. I knew a Spanish person & he would not be amused by his nation being used as an example of a land with beggars. Still those things don't detract from the first half which is some of the best sci-fi written in the 90's. The second half shows she didn't think socialism was any better then absolute Libertarianism. However, it is less plausible & mildly surrealistic. Still it was nice to see Leisha Camden lighten up & the way the Super-Sleepless thought was interesting. The second half is an above average sf story, but not as much of a phenomenon as the first.To wrap it up I think Kress is better in short form then long. In fact I think she is one of the best sf short story writers of the 90's. Still I like the first half so much I had to give it 5 stars. It's melancholy, but ultimately more uplifting & humane then most recent sf. Despite that I'm not planning on reading the sequels. One last thing READ SF ANTHOLOGIES OR SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINES if you like Kress's work.