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Review Summaries
"
Del Rey, Jan 2002, 24.95, 336 pp.
ISBN: 0345435281
Brilliant biochemist Hal Cousins conducts research on bacteria living on the ocean floor that if proves fruitful will be the Fountain of Youth as immortality would be the norm. However, someone does not want Hal's work to reach fruition and actually one of the team tries to kill him. Others are also murdered and Hal comes under suspicion of the homicides that include his twin brother, Rob.
Hal soon learns that under Stalin's rule, Soviet microbiologist Maxim Golokhov discovered how to use bacteria to control human behavior. His program, Silk clandestinely came to the United States to set in motion a plan for world domination. As Hal uncovers more of the truth, he wonders if he is paranoid as he sees Silk operatives in everyone including his brother's widow and wonders why Silk wants to stop him from developing the immortality elixir?
VITALS is a powerful science fiction thriller that never slows down whether the tale is in a bathysphere on the ocean floor or in a lab. The story line is fast-paced, seems credible, and is loaded with action though the climax leaves some threads dangling perhaps for a sequel. As he did with DARWIN'S RADIO, Greg Bear stirs up the biological paranoia that seems part of living in this century.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Greg Bear Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- method of control
- cure/disease/bioweapon
Plotlet:
- search for identity/new understanding
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- scientist
Age:
- 40's-50's
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Terrain
- Water
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a contemporary society
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- a moderate amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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