Lovelock

The setting for the novel "Lovelock" - first in a projected trilogy - is a massive 'ark' of a spacecraft departing the solar system to search for a new habitable planet. The real story is that of its title character, a capuchin monkey who's been genetically engineered to the point of human or above-human intelligence, and who serves as a 'witness', using implants to record the activities and lives of their human masters. Like all witnesses, Lovelock has had an innate affection for and loyalty to his 'master' programmed into him, hence the disturbing accuracy of his name. Even so, the monkey is astute enough to recognize what humanity is stepping towards here - 'slavery without shame' - by developing animals to human levels of intellect (or perhaps to the human Variety of intellect would be more appropriate; human society in the novel seems quite oblivious to the prospect that some animals might already have their own fairly high intelligences of a different perspective that's more suited to their individual life patterns) and engineering them to, in effect, like it. The terrifying thing is I can see this potentially happening, and possibly well before humanity is ready to attempt interstellar travel. The unforseen catch is that Lovelock eventually grows to want his freedom. What though, could a single small monkey do about his situation? Given the vast mental capacities programmed into him (even among the enhanced witnesses Lovelock seems to be quite the intellectual prodigy) and the fact that it never seems to occur to any human that a mere animal could do anything But docilely serve them, the answer might be surprising. The ending of this book is mind-blowing. Science Fiction has delivered some great endings of awe and discovery and revelation, but few that pack this kind of emotionally hammering punch. Few novels of any sort have delivered this kind of finale, where you can scarcely believe the words you're reading on the page. In terms of the science/ethics condundrums potentially faced in humanity's future (well actually I guess you might as well say the present in this day of advanced biotechnology, A.I., etc.) this is along the thoughtlines of works like "Frankenstein", "Jurassic Park", "Monkey Boy" or the prequel portions of "The Animatrix". A great - and emotionally turmultuous - gem of science fiction that could open a lot of eyes to the power of the SF field at its best; and to a host of real-life questions that are becoming more relevant day by day, as a possible future version of the human race is viewed through the eyes of one of their new slaves.

I clicked through some of the earlier reviews. First, let me list the cons:There's a whole lot of unnecessary and poorly implemented 'social drama'. It's mostly in just one family, but practically everyone there has some kind of problem that they're just too obstinate to talk about, much less fix. As in real life, most of the problems rose from just 'hushing it up' and 'not making a scene' until it got to be so much they did something regrettable.Another con is that there's a few things you'll just have to 'take for granted'. One: that they allow gossiping morons onto the ark which will represent mankind in space (totally acceptable since the essence of the book is that the 'social' atmosphere must be kept in a community), and two, that the main character just automatically has good skill with computers. Slightly explained, but not really.Also, even though the main character is mute, yet supposedly literate, the entire tone of the book (written in first person), is drastically better than the few times he does write to the characters. I think he communicates about five sentences (at most) and sounds "like a monkey that can type" each time, instead of the satyrical and amusing comments throughout the book. This is explained because he's hiding his 'awareness' I suppose, but it's still a little jarring once you notice it.There are good things to this book, which is why I rate it five stars. First of all, if you look closely, you'll see how Lovelock learns to commit the sins that at the beginning of the book, he despised humans for committing. He does the kind of soul-searching and meaning-searching I did when I was a kid. It's very easy to identify with this primate, to the point where you wouldn't mind throwing a little monkey dung at something that annoys you.Anyhoo, if it was going to revolve around Lovelock, I'd like it, but it seems to revolve more around the social drama at times. And the social drama is kind of overdone, it's hard to see how any group of people could get so twisted (quite unlike the fairly good social drama in Xenophobia).But anyway, if you somehow wound up on this page, then you're interested enough in this book that I think you'll enjoy it. It's short enough that you should slip through it in a couple nights.

Card's Ender novels were entertaining, but Lovelock is something else. Kidd throws in more personality for the book, and gives the characters the flaws needed to make them seem more real, and less legend.Lovelock is a witness- a genetically enhanced animal with a metal jack in the back of his head. He follows a noted scientist, documenting her life. She takes him on a massive starship bound for a distant planet. He watches as her dysfunctional family falls apart around her ears, and gains a new awareness of himself. The ending is a cliffhanger.The next in the series is eagerly awaited.

This is one of those books that hardcore sci-fi readers will love, and won't want to put down. Definitely a must-read of Card's.

The collaborative effort by Orson Scott Card and Kathryn Kidd produced a fun and imaginative book. Written from the unusual point of view as a story in the fist person of one of the characters. Card's style of character development and is quite evident. Although some of the characters remind me a bit too much like characters in an earlier novel. The humor of Lovelock's point of view is obviously created by Kathryn Kidd. I feel that this is a strong collaborative effort and the framwork is picked up by other authors.