Nancy Kress
Many of us wish we could get by with less sleep.
Beggars in Spain extrapolates that wish into a future where some people need no sleep at all. Nancy Kress, an award-winning author of novels, short stories, and columns on writing, has created another thoughtful but dramatic statement on social issues.
Leisha Camden was genetically modified at birth to require no sleep, and her normal twin Alice is the control. Problems and envy between the sisters mirror those in the larger world, as society struggles to adjust to a growing pool of people who not only have 30 percent more time to work and study than normal humans, but are also highly intelligent and in perfect health. The Sleepless gradually outgrow their welcome on Earth, and their children escape to an orbiting space station to set up their own society. But Leisha and a few others remain behind, preaching acceptance for all humans, Sleepless and Sleeper alike. With the conspiracy and revenge that unwinds, the world needs a little preaching on tolerance.
1 Good SF story, Great sociological commentary
Everyone seems really strung out about whether or not this is good SciFi but few have commented on what I see as the main point of the book, it's a running commentary on the current state of society. And it's apt I tell you, apt! (too many Simpons episodes)
It's been years since I've read this trilogy but the examples and warnings of the serious problems growing in this society have stuck in my head all this time. I'm referring to the whole bread and circuses thing, a culture of nothing more substantial than *mindless* entertainment that seems to harbor resentment for those that try to do anything more than watch reality tv with their spare time (um, or The Simpsons perhaps?). (The comparisons to Ayn Rand give me chills, I see the point but prefer to run away from that quagmire of delusion and narrowmindedness, run away! run away!)
Anyway, there are gazillions of scifi stories out there but so very very few have anything worthwhile to say, that this trilogy is quite enjoyable though a little uneven. Actually I'd say that the first book holds all the interesting bits and unless you just can't live w/o knowing how things turn out, stop there.
It truly is a memorable book that may open the eyes to our current state for some and serve as a reminder that you're not alone to others.
2 For some... not others
I'm not really a sci-fi fan, but a friend of mine bought it for me because he knew that I'll read just about anything. For me, personally... this book was okay. I felt as if some parts dragged on... the last 1/4 of the book I found really interesting. In conclusion, I think this book would appeal more to some people than others.
3 ORBITING PARANOIA
Here's that overused phrase again, brilliantly plotted. BEGGARS in SPAIN is a transcendental novel. Her ideas circle your cortex and bring you back to where you started, a little smarter. Perhaps, like the SuperSleepless in the story you begin to think in strings instead of circles.
I thought of BRAVE NEW WORLD REVISTED as a title. Kress takes the utopian thinking of the new class of Sleepless and brings it back to earth. Everyone knows that conflict is at the heart of all drama. Kress gives you a second helping of conflict with this nail biter of a story. Conflict so tense it reminds you of the Cuban Missile Crisis. There is a point near the end where both sides in this battle could go up in mutual annihilation.
Her treatment or use of lucid dreaming is beyond the pale. That the mentally defunct megalomaniac, Drew, could contribute a whole new dimension of thought to the world, and thereby, save the world is transcendental in scope. Hidden in the story is a philosophy that reminds one of Ayne Rand's ATLAS SHRUGGED. But here Kress puts the brakes on much of the B.S. Rand peddled. Kress shows how fallacious the slogan, "only the productive are fully human." You'll come away agreeing that the status of being human can only be achieved with great effort. Read it!
4 A people divided.
In the near future biological advances allow parents to choose certain biological traits for their impending children, one of which is sleeplessness. At the outset, this "child upgrade" is highly sought after. Parents soon realize that the amount of work involved in raising a child who never sleeps is astronomical; it also takes a high psychological and physical toll on both parties.
Once grown, the first group of sleepless is seen as a boon to society. Their advancements in science and economics are hailed as miracles. As more and more sleepless grow the "sleepers" start to realize that they are going to have to compete with a group that many see as having an unfair advantage. A schism starts to form in society between the sleepers and the sleepless.
The novel follows mainly the Camden sisters- twins, Liesha and Alice. Liesha is a genetically altered sleepless who's birth was planned. However, another egg is fertilized accidentally during the pregnancy. Alice is the product of that accident; she is a completely unaltered sleeper. Envy and animosity abound on both sides.
Nancy Kress has a real gift for characterization. One of the best parts on this novel is the incredible people and their realistic interaction.
It took me two weeks to read the first 80 pages and only three day to read the last 320. It takes awhile to warm-up but it is worthwhile. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves great writing, not only sci-fi.
5 One of the BEST series of any genre!
I am stunned by the naysayers, below, on this series. I thought it was absolutely BRILLIANT!
As an author who makes a point of reading award-winning fiction of many genres, this is at the top of my list, which includes thrillers (Grisham) and mysteries.
People who criticize this must be strict scientist/SF'ers, who've I've discovered from attending a number of CONs are overly critical.
If you're an average reader, this trilogy is brilliant.
6 Worth reading, but not rereading
A good friend sent me Beggars in Spain about a year ago, and I enjoyed it, but not enough for a reread.
Kress is an entertaining writer, but she does not always give her characters the depth that they ask for, and I found her science to be less than believable at times. She falls to the trap of many science fiction writers and treats science more like magic in a fantasy book than like real science. It just happens. There aren't any magic wands, but there might as well be for the ease with which the characters tinker with genetics. A certain amount of suspension of belief is definitely required, but even then my logical side nagged at me as I read the book.
Perhaps my quibble with the science of the book would not be so large if the characters and plot had been more engaging. Amusing, yes, interesting, yes, a good way to occupy a few hours, yes. But at the end of it all, I was left with that telltale feeling of disappointment and longing, as if the author could have done a lot more with her plot and characters. I cannot help but compare the book to Octavia Butler's excellent "Wind Seed," for their basic plots, if not their settings, are very similar. In "Wild Seed," the characters are so engaging and fascinating that whatever faulty logic may have existed was made nonexistant in the face of the conflict between two superhuman beings. "Beggars in Spain" tried, but failed, to do the same.
If you read voraciously as I do, this is a good way to occupy a couple of hours. However, if you read less often I'd suggest you go for something with better quality than this, something that is great, not just okay.
7 Fabulous
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.
8 Bad Science--How's That?
The reviewer who gives this book one star claiming Kress doen't understand the science of sleep is actually the one who does not understand science. These people were genetically engineered to not need sleep. The need/benefits of sleep have been removed for them. Sheesh, if this is bad science, what about Star Trek?
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. I highly recommend it as a great read.
9 Shoddy science and flat characters
I was deeply disappointed with the science in this book. Clearly Nancy Kress hasn't bothered to do much research on sleep(its importance to long term memory) the immune system(the ravaging effects of sleep deprivation on health) or genetics (which she treats like big on and off switches).
Because the book was so highly recommended to me I attempted to enjoy it in spite of theses flaws. But the characters were flat and didn't seem grounded in reality at all. Their conversations never sounded true or honest. Instead they seemed like tele-marketers reading scripts to one another. The whole book seemed to boil down to a hair care commercial touting,"Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful" as a central philosophy.
Over all I would say that this book this was one of the most hateful reads I have ever endured.
10 Worth reading more than once
I first read `Beggars in Spain' six or seven years ago and I enjoyed it then. I've found that the better stories age well; come back a few years later and they still engage your heart and your mind. This is one of those stories.
Nancy Kress illustrates a fast approaching issue - the impact of genetic engineering - with well-drawn characters in realistic situations. The premise is science has learned how to engineer humans such that they no longer need to sleep. Obviously, the "sleepless" have a huge advantage over the "sleepers," and Kress explores the chasm that develops between the two classes of humans. Not to give away the story, but the "sleepless" have additional gifts that notch up the intensity significantly.
My only complaint is that the story seems to run out of gas toward the end. Kress has ably developed the issues, but doesn't bring the plot to a definitive climax. Nevertheless, `Beggars in Spain' is an excellent story, one that will stay with you over the years.
11 Guaranteed to Lose Sleep
After I read this book I immediately bought the others in the series. What an idea and what a better execution!!! With all the reports popping up every day about the widespread lack of sleep in our society, this may be an idea whose time has arrived.
The author specializes in dialogue and thoughts and the tales of SMART (vs smarmy/hateful/creepy/sassy/whining) kids and their trials and tribulations was superbly written (similar in thrust to the Ender series). It is difficult to imagine ordinary folks becoming agents of hate and revenge, but what lurks right under the veneer of civilization? All in all, this was the superior of the series as is most often the case. That does not mean that you should skip the others, and the author continually introduces new ideas and curve balls to keep the action flowing and suspense suspenseful. The author also attempts what few sci-fi writers dare - a scientific explanation of the sci-fi within the book. Grab the series for a long vacation read at the beach.
12 Great plot, characters , writing
After I read this book I immediately bought the others in the series. What an idea!!! With all the reports popping up every day about the widespread lack of sleep in our society, this may be an idea whose time has arrived.
The author specializes in dialogue and thoughts and the tales of SMART (vs smarmy/hateful/creepy/sassy/whining) kids and their trials and tribulations was superbly written. It is difficult to imagine ordinary folks becoming agents of hate and revenge, but what lurks right under the veneer of civilization? All in all, this was the superior of the series as is most often the case. That does not mean that you should skip the others, and the author continually introduces new ideas and curve balls to keep the action flowing and suspense suspenseful. The author also attempts what few sci-fi writers dare - a scientific explanation of the sci-fi within the book. Grab the series for a long vacation read at the beach.
13 Readable and Engaging
Reading the reviews it seems as though this is a book full of references and echos. The Ayn Rand echos are noted, as are the Ender Wiggins-- I'll add one more. I was struck that this was a more mature version, in a way, of Anne McCaffrey's _To Ride Pegasus_.
I thought it was clever how the hatred for the super-talented sleepless is first seen in the fact that their competition is seen as unfair. I like very much the way that Kress developed the question of whether people who can contribute to such a high degree are obliged to help the 'beggars', the sleepers who can never be as productive to the society. I even like the way that she turns the question of being a beggar on its head later with the super-sleepless (although I can imagine that people who were following along with the political thread were a little disappointed at the easy way in which art becomes the redemptive factor.)
Smart, very readable, and makes me want to read the next book in the series.
14 An Interesting Extrapolation of Western Ideas and Culture
I liked the book very much, however I struggle with trying to determine it's impact. It seems to be between the crests of good and fantastic and couldn't quite make the leap across. This book is bursting with interesting ideas and themes that carry it through a good, but flawed presentation. This is a near future SF book and this future was not so far fetched as to be inconceivable.
Shades of Ayn Rand in this book are so prevalent that it was hard to not see many of the Fountainhead character hybrids in this novel. Jennifer Sharifi was Ellsworth Tooey. Sharifi was appreciative of superiority as long as she could control it. She led the "sleepless" like they were in fact mediocre that had to be controlled through manipulation. Leisha Camden was Howard Roarke, less violent but none-the-less steadfastly held to her principles regardless of the personal cost because being right was far more important than being accepted. The characters had a clash of ideas and in the end the protagonist prevails because of her uncompromising belief in herself.
Also in evidence is the preaching of ideas. This had more to do with poorly drawn characters who are critical to the story. In particular, Jennifer Sharifi or any character whose views were opposed to Leisha Camden, were under-characterized. We never saw the struggle the Jennifer Sharifi endured that caused her to come to her views (other than the murder of Tony). In the last 50 pages we get a paragraph about some implied struggles but no real description of her upbringing. We are simply told what she is thinking. In contrast Alice, a minor character with a major role in the development of Leisha, is well drawn. We aren't told what she is thinking, we given enough information to understand her frame of reference.
Two interesting observations about this novel: First is the characterization of the antagonist (what little there was). In the post 9/11 world, it is interesting to note that even back in the early 90's (when this book was written), there was a fear of the Muslim way of life. There is only one character that is so rigid in her thinking that she could not entertain any ideas other than her own, and was so convinced of her own righteousness. This dogmatic approach seemed tied directly to her faith. There is an implied evilness to it. Proof that the western view of Muslims was evident long before September 11th. Secondly, in this current economy, it is interesting that the corporate types were also inherently evil. Kevin Baker would do anything to keep the profits rolling including signing an oath he did not believe in. He was considered a good guy compared to the Calvin Hawke of the We Sleep movement who murdered for his cause. Once again we see themes of our current events, were observed up to 10 years earlier. It does make one wonder if things ever really change.
There is a lot more to say about this book but the review is already long enough. It definitely introduced many fine ideas that stuck with me long after I read the last page.
15 Wonderful -- until she betrays it all in the end.
I really enjoyed this book, right up until the end. Kress gives us a world full of great new ideas, very well thought out and believable. I often said to myself, "She really understands!" But the way she wraps up the story inspired me to swear to never read another word of her output as long as I live. Readers should be warned that if they really identify with the views seemingly expressed through the main body of the book, they will feel utterly betrayed by the ending.
16 Well-Written Characters in a Powerful Story
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.
17 Absolutely Wonderful
Brilliant, thought-provoking stuff from one of my favorite authors. The implications of the creation of a superior branch of mankind is fully realized in a rich, detailed environment. Be prepared to read the rest of the Beggars Trilogy!
18 Failing to add interest to ambition
When I read this book, I was impressed by Kress's ambition to tackle a sweeping series that extrapolate the future of human culture, in the grand tradition of classic writers such as Aasimov. Unfortunately, in my eyes she fails. The characters read to me like the typical product of soap opera, and the plot is at least as old as comic books - guilty-feeling people with superpowers and the sullen normal folk who resent them. Can anybody find happiness when they're perfect? Do I care?
19 A really interesting idea...
Its a very interesting idea and a really great book. I could see something like that happening if the science was there...all hatred and seperate groups etc. The in the 2nd part of the book where society on Earth is divided into Donkeys (who do the work)and "Livers" (who live a life of leisure) ...descriptions of how the Livers live were really kind of amusing.
Overall..I really enjoyed it and it kept me up late. However, as some other people have pointed out, the character of Leisha Camden was a little..well, flat. I really liked her in the first half of the book then at the 2nd half she was just kind of there..and so what. I really liked the character Miri though, cared what happened to her and the descriptions of the supers and how they thought was cool. And it was cool how the tables turned at the end.
20 Definitely Outstanding.
This superb book created by Nancy Kress begins when a new generation of genetically modified embryos, now requiring no sleep at all, are born. The Sleepless community witness a growing hatred from the Sleepers (regular people) due to sheer envy of their beauty,skill, and super intelligence which inevitably makes them better then Sleepers in all aspects. The main debate throughout the book discusses the obligation a productive society owe or not owe the beggars.
Eventually the blind hatred towards Sleepless brings Jennifer Sharifi to find refuge for her own kind in Sanctuary, first on earth and later on Orbital in space. One of the few Sleepless left behind on earth is Leisha Camden-the main character- who wished to integrate with Sleepers, a wish that never happened.
Some label this book as fantasy but as i foresee, the idea here is not that far away from becoming sad reality. This book is a tremendous enjoyable saga and i very very much recommend reading it.
21 Drivel.
Character development: poor to nil. Plot: Vague and unfocused. There's no reason to care what happens to any of the characters or to their world. Writing style was stilted, uninspired. Give this one a miss.
22 The new trend in Sci-Fi
I purchased this book in hard-copy a few years ago. This was my first introduction to the genetic/cellular biology Sci-fi. Now, don't get scared off that you need a BioChem degree to follow this - nothing like that! No more than you have to understand warp-field physics to like Startrek. Kress's character development is excellent and the near future setting provides a good grounding in current culture. Enough adventure and excellent plot to keep you on your toes. The rest of the series is also good, but the first book is a must read! I've put this author on my read-everything list with C.J. Cherryh, David Brin, and Neal Stephenson.
23 Dissapointing
A compelling idea and some interesting sociological exploration fall prey to unlikeable characters, horrible science, and phonetic sp-sp-sp-speach.
First off, the easiest: the phonetically written speach of the "super-sleepers", characters who suffer from extreem stuttering problems. Now, on Kress's own website, she lists some "writing basics", wherin she says that when one is writing a character with an odd regional dialect or abnormal speech patters, after the first few lines of speech are presented phonetically, you should switch back to standard english. In this book there is a 75-page chunk where stuttering characters talk alot, and every second word is st-st-stuttered. This is distracting and really quite annoying, and in itself adds nothing to the story.
The characters: Jenifer Shafari(?), presented in a third-person limeted POV, occupies many pages, and she is a quite unlikeable character. She is the antagonist, so being unlikable goes with the territory, but Leisha (protagonist), while not being exactly unlikeable, isn't particularly compelling. Sure, she's a three-dimensional character, but she isn't one that I could feel any compassion for, so who cares? And the vast majority of the supporting characters don't hold your attention, and my reactions varied between indefference (Richard, Kevin) to disgust (Sandalos, Eric). The few truly compelling characters were relegated to very little time on the page. As I said before, all because a character is well drawn doesn't mean they are automatically worth spending time with.
Then the science. ....Now, this book was primarilly a socialogical extropolation, so I could have swallowed a terse "we can make children who don't have to sleep, and the side effect is that they will be near immortals" without any further exploration. The point of this book wasn't hard-sf, so I could have suspended my disbelief. But Kress tried to explain things halfway with some pretty shaky arguments. She said that sleep used to be an evolutionary advantage, but that it wasn't any more. She didn't explain the why to either part, and this statement, left alone, flies in the face of common sense: Wouldn't a caveman who didn't sleep as much be less likely to get killed by a wild animal at night, thereby passing on his genes more frequently? That would make sleep disadvantageous. And if sleep was once benificial, why isn't it anymore? What changed? And while we sleep is when the body preforms most of its repairs: we need sleep to heal physically. Kress stated that loss of sleep could be made to have no effects on the mind, but then didn't explain why, or the physical reasons for sleep and how they would be handled. Again, common sense: If your body undergoes 50% more wear-and-tear, without periods to recover, shouldn't that shorten your lifespan, not extend it? I have so many problems with the science I'm having trouble putting it down in an organised manner. In short: If you're writing hard-sf, get things right, or at least get them to make sense. If you're writing sociological-sf, don't get bogged down in details with little relavence to the point of the story.
All that said, it is a compelling idea, and some of the questions raised are worthwile, but the book falls far short of its hype.
24 Incredible book
For a combination of bio-engineering and conflict theory, this book is outstanding. I read this while studying social theory, and there are shades of Marx (not the economic Marx) throughout, along with an appeal for a functional aspect of society. An excellent book, well written, great characters, a mature look on social stratification, formation of social groups. Highly recommended.
25 watered-down ayn rand
Really - this was a very boring book. All exposition. If you want to read about the trials and trevails of beautiful perfect happy people with no interest in the complexities of human culture -- then I recommend it.
26 A great work by a great author
I was very impressed with Nancy Kress's "Beggars in Spain." The characters, the story, and the entire world created by Kress are an exciting look into the true nature of the human race.
Kress pays quite a bit of attention to detail in creating the fictional world of Leisha Camden. Just the extent of technological development was amazing to me. She also developed her characters very well. The politics and conflict between the Sleepless and the Sleepers was very believable.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an active imagination and an eye for detail. It's also a great read for anyone who ever wondered what it would be like to not have to sleep. Overall, I'd say this is one of the best books I've read this year.
27 Nancy Kress knows Sci-Fi!!!
In a genre dominated my male writers, Nancy Kress shows that she can hang with the best of them in Beggars in Spain. Great sci-fi happens when an author can extrapolate the effects of changes throughout an entire civilization. It's something Asimov did with incredible mastery. It's what Kress has done with the Beggars series. She asks the simple question, "What would happen if some of us no longer needed to sleep?" The answer is a lot larger and far-reaching than you'd think. This book needs to be high on your "To Read" list.
28 One of my favorites!
I'm a science fiction and fantasy addict, and this book is a prime example of why. Nancy Kress' socio-political extrapolations spinning from a nifty genetic-engineering breakthrough (making sleep unnecessary for folks modified in pre-embryo-hood) create shiverings of joy in my mind every time I read this novel. The well-developed ideas, characters, plot, and great pacing of this book make it an incredibly pleasurable read.
29 Entertaining light science fiction
This short novel is a clever and entertaining insight into the lives of the "Sleepless" - those genetically altered humans who can get by without sleep. At this level it is clever science fiction - not too heavy and cleverly written. But this is of course something much deeper than that - it is an interesting study of our fear and resentment of something that's different, and it is this element that makes the story truly interesting. A very worthwhile read.
30 I was sleepless after reading this book...
Imagine a simple fact - some people do not need to sleep. Now try and figure out the macro consequences of this fact. An oridnary writer would have these people take a few sedatives. But Ms. Kress is not an ordinary writer. Based on this simple premise she creates a world that is terrifying, amazing and exalting. Its like beautiful fractal objects of immense complexity that can be created by the simplest mathematic rules. The technology of genetic engineering will have consequence that we cannot even begin to imagine - complex, beautiful and terrifying. If you had any doubts about it they will vanish as you come to the startling conclusion of this book.
31 Intriguing
I like the way this book faces squarely a very real possibility -- that thanks to genetic technology, the next time we get paranoid over a kind of person, it could be a kind of person that really is better than we are. Kress avoids easy answers, yet writes a satisfying novel that's only occasionally preachy (and, which is very rare, becomes LESS preachy rather than more as it approaches the end!).
I think the way I read Beggars in Spain is best -- I read to the end of what was clearly the part of the book that was the novella that won the Hugo and Nebula, then put the book down for a week and read another one, then picked Beggars back up. The novella is the best part, and if the book had ended there, it would have been a better story. However, picking up after a while and reading the rest as though it were an inferior sequel, I was able to appreciate the novella and still enjoy the rest of the book for what it offered without judging it too harshly.
32 Good story.
Even though I still can not make up my mind about whether toconsider this hard sci-fi, or almost hard sci-fi, I really liked thisbook. Kress explores what would happen if people did not have to sleep, along with some political and economical consequences. A little reminiscent of the mutant hatred on the X-comics, and Gattaca (the movie). This book is easy to absorb and fun.
33 Thoughtful exploration of compelling social issues.
Current and near-future technological developments, including genetic modification and nanotechnology, pose the potential to bring about great changes in society. Kress looks at how some of these changes might play out, contrasting a variety of viewpoints and characters. Those interested in finding out more about nanotech should read "Unbounding the Future" by Eric Drexler et al. How equipped are our social institutions to grapple with a world in which few need to work to produce an abundance of goods? The more one thinks about it, the more it becomes clear that it is a staggering question. For a more optimistic take, try James Hogan's "Voyage from Yesteryear," in which the source of the abundance is fusion, rather than genetics. Either way, we are facing some major issues and need to put our thinking caps on, now.
34 Excelent, but... Spain a country full of beggars? Come on...
An excelent book. But... Spain a country full of beggars? Come on... Are you kiddin? I've been in Spain last year and there are proportionally more beggars here in USA.
35 MSW Students Can Enjoy Kress in a Public Policy Course!
Fun read that raises fundamental questions of living in community. My graduate social work students in an introductory social policy course have the opportunity to read this along with welfare policy, sociological and political theory books. Kress' characters and conflicts raise issues that launch productive discussions.
36 One of the best of the DECADE!
How I love this book! Some of the strongest storytelling I've ever come across in science fiction, and one of the most moving novels I've read in a long time. I came to care DEEPLY about all the characters--yes, even Jennifer Sharifi--and was fascinated as their stories moved smoothly over an arc of ninety years. Strong sociological speculation adds to the well-developed future world. ON TO THE SEQUEL!
37 She's keeping hope alive.
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.
38 Nice fantasy novel.
Good character development. Unfortunately as soon as the author tries to go beyond individual people into economics, cognitive science, sociology, or god forbid hard-science she starts looking silly. Infinite free energy for everything from watches to cities - no problem. Immortal super-intelligent humans, there you have them - and in the process somehow everyone else became stupid and ambition-free. Take pseudo-physics and pseudo-biology add lots of pseudo-economics, pseudo-sociology, and some pseudo-cognitive-science and you end up with a cartoon world which is inhabited by well painted three dimensional characters. Granted this is different from the typical sci-fi where you have a three dimensional world inhabited by cartoon characters, but just because the flaws are different doesn't mean this book is great. Too many things in feel contrived, from a heroine on the run buying a car for cash from a passer by, to the infinite energy, to the flip-one-gene-make superman, to the use of science-as-magic whenever a plot corner needs to be turned. That's why I call this a fantasy novel, science is used as magic, poof - there is a magic dragon, no exploring of the where how and why. No science in this fiction.
39 This is what science fiction should be!
In the not-too-distant future, genetic engineering allows parents to design children for intelligence, beauty, and the lack of a need to sleep. This sets up a moral and political battle between the "sleepless" and the "sleepers" that explores prejudice, cooperation, fear, protectiveness, envy, and a host of other emotions. Our present is explored by extending current trends, in the best tradition of science fiction.
40 Thoughtful exploration of themes via strong chars & world
_Beggars in Spain_, extrapolated from the novella of the same title, explores the idea of community--who can join a community, who can leave or be removed from a community, what rights and benefits does a community member have from the other members of the comminuty (ie, is one comfortably off in the US bound to support a beggar in Spain?)--through the idea of the Sleepless. Beggars in Spain follows the life of one of the first of the Sleepless, Leisha Camden, genetically engineered to have no need for sleep. Sleepless has side effects, including prolonged lifespans and increased intelligence, which soon put Sleepless on the odds with many Sleepers as discrimination rises between both groups. Leisha firmly believes Sleepless and Sleepers must strive together for community; while a fellow Sleepless, Jennifer Sharifi, believes that Sleepless should live free and unentangled by any demands or importunities of Sleepers. Their struggles, and their conflicts (echoed in the micro by Leisha's twin Sleeper sister, Alice), provide fertile ground for what is both a good story and an intriguing exploration of the theme. Politics and economics are thoughtfully interwoven through the whole of the story, although the first half is superior to the second, which traces Jennifer Sharifi's struggles to build and define a Sleepless community of her own in an orbital, Sanctuary.
41 What's the big fuss?
This book is a mess from beginning to end. Why is everyone so excited about it? The main character does nothing of consequence for the entire book, which is amazing considering that, as one of the sleepless beings Kress has created, she lives without aging (?!?) for centuries. Kress doesn't know what she is writing about. There is nothing plausible in her science, her sociology, her characters, or, worst of all, her plot. The plotting comes from the "One Damn Thing After Another" school where things happen because the author needs a plot complication (see Jack Whyte for another example of this style). There is nothing organic at all about the characters, either in how they relate to each other or to the plot occuring around them. this is truly Shakespeare's "tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing".
42 Surprised by nature of criticisms.
I figured this book would have critics, but I thought they'd criticize the dysfunctional family aspect, the fact that it works with fairly old themes, the somewhat political nature, or the Americentricness. Although I'd agree the last half seemed sort of implausible & incongruitous with the first half. Regardless I really liked it the line "Alice is special" really stuck with me. Also it's nice to read a book with a rational woman in it. I hate to say this, but women authors seemed to have abandoned the idea women can be rational & bash reason as a "patriarchalist" value. Of course rationalism is mildly bashed in this book & I don't think it's enough to get by in life. Also the people were more real then in most sf, strangely the fact you only got glimpses of who they were is more true to life. Oh, by the way Kress recently married hard sf author Charles Sheffield
43 Enlightening Yet Entertaining
i was so happy to discover there exists a book version of the novella 'beggars in spain', which was the only short story i've ever reread amongst my anthology collection. the book itself moved me so much that the next day i rushed to get the other 2 books of the trilogy [another discovery that made my day]. Nancy's a truly engaging story teller and the characters in her universe are filled with richness, complexity, yet consistency. i personally find the sibling interaction intriguing, and was constantly thrilled by the balance yin-yang elements throughout the pages - the story's truth is a universal one. despite the urge to quickly devour the story i've paused many times to laugh, cry, or simply ponder... This writer has the talent to make otherwise dry technical information on genetics and legal system sound as relevant and fun as recipe of chocolate fudge brownies. At this point i've also finished reading the second book 'beggars and choosers', and am still digesting before allowing myself to plunge into the last book. the book helped me sort through my jungle of questions related to - 1/ the harder stuff: current conflicts within, between the first world and the rest; the current situation at indonesia, malaysia, south america, even africa, as well as many unanswered questions left after reading Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged ('though Nancy's style and delivery is totally organic compared to Ayn's) 2/the softer stuff - something as close to heart as sibling/peer rivalry; the evil face of envy and blame; the myopia of self-preservation; humanly compassion as well as darwinian survival... Occasionally didactic, yet full of wisdom [and sense of humour too!] Movie deal on the way i hope. Ridley Scott and Stanley Kubrick take note: this story deserves your 5-star cinematic treatment!
Read and be moved.....
44 Excellent Choice
I recommend this book for its strong characters and interesting plot. Kress did a good job of showing a world with sleepers and sleepless. A must read for a good "what-if?" situation.
45 The first half was fantastic, but the second half...
The first half of "Beggars in Spain" is wonderful, well-written, well-plotted. I loved it. The second half... Ugh. Boring, predictable, and just plain pointless. I HIGHLY recommend the first half, but only read the second half if you're desperate to find out what happens to the characters (I thought the first half wrapped things up well enough.)
46 Science Fiction with scope from a woman with heart.
Nancy Kress! Marry me! The writing here is lean and yet full. This is good, old-fashioned hard SF, and yet the characters have a depth to match anything I've read--anything. I broke down and cried a couple of times: you really care about these characters, they are REAL to you! Fantastic story too--"how will it all end?" I kept finding myself thinking. And suddenly it was over! Oh no! Well, I'm off to the bookstore (credit card is all used up right now) to pick up the sequels, and I recommend you do the same right now. DON'T BOTHER LOOKING FURTHER FOR GOOD HARD SF WITH CLEVER STORY AND BELIEVABLE CHARACTERS. Like Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy: big characters, big story, big feelings, big ideas! Check it out, you won't be sorry.
47 THE FIRST HALF IS EXCELLENT, the last half's good.
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.
48 Another good reading
I thought it was kind of scary. The thought of men creating better men... and those better men creating an even better one... wo, major wo. I liked the science part... the fiction part is OK. There is a part where the book becomes a little slow, but afterwards you cannot stop. Overall: a good book.
49 The BEST!!
Nancy Kress takes her imagination to new heights with this one. I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting ideas, and this premise of the Sleepless certainly fits the bill. A definite MUST READ for any fan of fiction or science fiction.
50 Great food for thought
Nancy Kress has written a solid piece of speculative fiction that grapples with some heady questions. First, how do we have an egalitarian society when not everyone is born equal? Second, how do we balance the needs of the community with the needs of the individual?
In Kress' novel, the outsiders are the Sleepless--humans who have been genetically altered such that they require no sleep and, as a side effect, naturally regenerate their tissues such that they are practically immortal. Kress' vision of how the inevitable conflict between the Sleepless and the Sleepers plays out is not a pretty one. The Sleepless face discrimination, verbal harassment, and physical harassment that sometimes leads to murder. In defense, most of the Sleepless join a "defensive" community called Sanctuary. Unfortunately, the leadership of the community is willing to sacrifice everything and everyone for the good of the group and creates its own brand of discrimination and violence.
This book could be quite depressing, but I wasn't depressed when I finished it. There are several key characters who never give up hope that humans can learn to live together despite their differences and Kress throws us an occasional plot bone such that we don't think these characters are entirely crazy for maintaing their optimism. There isn't a lot of character development. In most cases Kress builds types and moves them around like game pieces, but since characters aren't really the point of this speculative ficiton, I could forgive this. Overall, a good and thought-provoking read.
51 Good idea, but w/ plot and character problems
Overall, I liked the idea, and the way it was developed - particularly the interactions between the Sleepless and their Sleeper counterparts. Unfortunately, the characterization was lacking. Few of the Sleepless are distinguishable from one another, except those with severe psychological problems (like Richard). When they speak, they all speak in the same, perfect, preachy didactic tone that wants to make you scream, "People don't TALK like that!" Kress' heavy-handed exposition in spots, particularly near the end, doesn't help.
The motivations of Jennifer Sharifi and those who follow her were poorly drawn out. Sharifi's inner conflict over how she ran Sanctuary seemed shallow and contrived - we didn't see enough of her internal struggle over such seemingly despicable decisions as ordering an injured Super Sleepless to be executed because of an acquired deformity. And Leisha Camden - who starts out as a wonderful wandering child, trying to find a stake in the ground for her unique philosophy of life - quickly becomes marginalized, so that for the last half of the book she is no more than an ornament. It is a waste of potential far greater than any of the Livers display.
52 Something I haven't seen for some time in SF.
Kress starts out with a minimal "change" to the world as we know it: What if there were people who don't need to sleep? She then explores the consequences on different levels: The personal relationship between one of the "sleepless" and her "sleeper" sister is protrayed as well as the racial hate the sleepers feel for the "superior" sleepless. On the other hand, the political consequences are shown, as no longer "all men are created equal". Well-protrayed characters, fascinating story, and lots of food for thought, the book has it all. The only disappointing thing is the end: Some of the themes are too grand to be dealt with fully in the book. But: The "Beggars in Spain" cycle will continue, and I've ordered the sequel. Highest recommendation.
53 A fine book; not just man vs superman
I think there were truly some superb pages toward the end of the book, especially those studying the Sleepless Norms' changes to the Declaration of Independence, in their bid to declare independence. Some of the thinking is quite timely, in our current Republican-dominated universe: do those who have abilities and wealth really owe anything at all to those who don't? Despite their genetic enhancement and advancement, the Sleepless are rather rigid and linear in their thinking; they're limited by an inability to dream; they aren't interested in art. The Supers are in turn superior to the Sleepless, and their presence within Sanctuary allows the reader to reexamine the issue again in a nonlinear light. Authoritarian isolated monocultures are found to be unstable and dangerous, which is basically true. Beggars may have potential, as in the famous Milton line: 'They also serve, who only stand and wait.' We do need to preserve some compassion; rather than seceding from the mess, we need to be there, because we must. So, there is some nice coherence and thought toward the end; there are some early and mid-sections that drag, but in general it reads better than most SF. It would make a good discussion book on the late high school-early college level. I enjoyed it.
54 Worthy successor to Huxley
Nancy Kress's BEGGARS IN SPAIN, is, IMO, the best SF novel of its kind since BRAVE NEW WORLD. Certainly it's one of the most thoughtful to tackle the subject of DNA manipulation in humans in many years. Her eye for story + character is wonderful, as well as for the large & small details of her future world. I'd recommend this SF novel to people who don't usually like the genre. She covers the subject matter much more thoroughly & realistically than the film GATTACA, which owes more than a little to the sibling-rivalry theme in this book.
55 Well, it didn't make blood flow out of my ears.
Entertaining dreck. A dandy book for bus stops and a fine book to be left there once finished. If you're feeling a bit more lucid, and you're hell bent on reading a 'man versus superman' novel, may I suggest Olaf Stapledon's 'Odd John' or 'Sirius'. That is all. Carry on. Chop, chop
56 Great Book, Couldn't it it down!
A very detailed thurough expose of many social-political topics. Specifically prejudice/fear against a preceived inferiorness as well as prejudice/fear of a preceived superiorness. Kress adds alot of intersting twist along the way and perhaps a rather ironic table turning ending for the socitial group that is preceived as being superior. Implied throughout the entire book is a good expose of both sides of the arguements pro & Con of genetic research and just how far should it go... In Kress' world the genetists are so wound up with their new toy, gene manipulation, that they stopped to ask if they should be doing this... not to mention fully exploring all effects of their research on humans. Kress explores many ramifications of altered human genes and their social/political impacts on society as a whole. One of the most intriging, thought provking books I have read in a long time. I highly recommend it
57 A fascinating novel, that explores many controversial topics
Beggars in Spain is a rarity: a science fiction novel that simultaneously explores a number of issues in the spheres of science and politics, and yet that still has time for plausible character development and a "can't put it down" story line.
Incidentally, it's sequel, "Beggars and Choosers" is just as good... although I would not recommend reading it without reading "Beggars in Spain" first.
