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Mass Market Paperback BIOS Book

ISBN: 0812575741

ISBN13: 9780812575743

BIOS

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Format: Paperback

Condition: Good

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Book Overview

In the 22nd century, humankind has colonized the solar system. Starflight is possible but hugely expensive, so humakind's efforts are focussed on Isis, the one nearby Earthlike world. Isis is verdant, Edenic, rich with complex DNA-based plant and animal life. And every molecule of Isian life is spectacularly toxic to human beings. The entire planet is a permanent Level Four Hot Zone. Despite that, Isis is the most interesting discovery of the millennium: a parallel biology with lessons to teach us about our own nature. It's also the hardest of hardship posts, the loneliest place in the universe. Zoe Fisher was born to explore Isis. Literally. Cloned and genetically engineered by a faction within the hothouse politics of Earth, Zoe is optimized to face Isis's terrors. Now at last Zoe has arrived on Isis. But there are secrets implanted within her that not even she suspects--and the planet itself has secrets that will change our understanding of life in the universe. Bursting with ideas, replete with human insight, Bios is science fiction in the grand tradition: a novel of bravery, exploration, and discovery in a universe charged with awe.

Customer Reviews

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Rated 5 stars
A real heart wrencher.

This is my favorite story by Robert Charles Wilson by far. Although somewhat short, I will never forget the story. This book has so many unique aspects- a look at alien biology at the microbe level, genetic engineering, an interesting love story- I nearly read it in one sitting and was left wanting more, more, more. (in a good way). I won't give away the ending but throughout I found myself deeply moved.

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Rated 5 stars
Underated I think

Beautiful book. Though I understand the quibbles with the character development, this books needs to be taken as more of a meditation on the nature of life. All forms of life and their interconnectedness regardless of the radical differences. I've found Wilson to be quite a spiritual writer and enjoyed this immensely...

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Rated 5 stars
Gnostic Fiction

Let me just begin by saying I'm a terrible reviewer. I will never achieve the necessary objectivty to analyze novels I care for. With that said, I'm not sure what the first reviewer is going on about. The characters are touchingly drawn, especially Zoe and Tam. Granted, the dialogue might be described as minimalist, but with no sacrifice in style. In my opinion, his review only underscores that the better part of aesthetics...

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Rated 5 stars
Quality science fiction

One of the rising masters of human oriented science fiction (Gypsies, A Bridge of Years) has now gone into hard science fiction. Although not quite up to the efforts of Greg Bear and Gregory Benford, Robert Charles Wilson is close.This first foray into hard, space oriented themes is well plotted and realised. It tastes like bittersweet chocolate. The themes are fairly straightforward and humanely presented.The only ...

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Rated 5 stars
Wilson is the new rising star of hard SF

Much like it's predecessor Darwinia, Bios is an ambitious combination of hard science fiction and pan-universal spirituality. Wilson writes beautifully; I'm envious. Of particular interest is his treatment of emerging biohazards. Let's hope this book isn't as prophetic as it may seem to be. If you really appreciate literature and science fiction (and especially a combo of the two) you owe it to yourself to read both...

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