Science Fiction
Haven’t read The heart does not grow back yet, but the premise has that useful sort of oddness: either the character work earns it, or the whole thing collapses under its own cleverness.
That’s usually where these books live or die. A strange biological hook is fine. It even helps. But if the people on the page are thin, it becomes a trick. And tricks wear out quickly.
Still, I’m curious. The best science fiction often starts with one ridiculous-sounding idea and then gets on with the serious business of being human.
That’s usually where these books live or die. A strange biological hook is fine. It even helps. But if the people on the page are thin, it becomes a trick. And tricks wear out quickly.
Still, I’m curious. The best science fiction often starts with one ridiculous-sounding idea and then gets on with the serious business of being human.
A good hook can buy a book a lot of patience, but not unlimited patience. What matters to me is whether the weirdness changes how the characters behave, not just what happens to them.
This one’s on my Want to Read shelf for that reason. If the biology stays in the background and the human mess stays front and centre, it has a chance. If not, it becomes a novelty with chapters.
This one’s on my Want to Read shelf for that reason. If the biology stays in the background and the human mess stays front and centre, it has a chance. If not, it becomes a novelty with chapters.