About:
The Curiosity by Stephen P. Kiernan is a first novel by this award winning journalist. Mr. Kiernan has previously written two non-fiction books.
My rating for The Curiosity – 4
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Thoughts:
The Curiosity by Stephen P. Kiernan (website | Facebook) is a social commentary at its core. The ethical dilemmas (or lack there of) which raising the dead brings with it are enormous, the fabulous science, outright hatred, skepticism and looking at society through new eyes are discussed without prejudice, letting the reader digest the material.
The book does not present any answers questions, as difficult as they may be. Since the book doesn’t present many answers, I believe it would make an excellent choice for a book club. The book examines our media driven culture, ethics, religion and where medical & business intercede, the dilemmas behind such a union and other themes.
The book is an exciting and engaging read from start to finish. There are clues at the start which one has to keep in mind while reading the book and at the end which, in my opinion, make the story more engaging. I also loved the way the story is told through multiple points of view, Dr. Kate Philo – a scientist and humanitarian, Erastus Carthage- head of the project, Dixon – a reporter, and Judge Jeremiah Rice – the man brought back to life.
The character of Erastus Carthage stood out for me; he was just much fun to read through. Dr. Carthage is an egotistical, self-centered ass who is a genuine genius through and through. The chapters told through his eyes are both hilarious and disturbing, the inner thoughts of a man who knows he is the smartest man in the room and views everyone else as mental midgets (including other geniuses) are funny and condescending. The reader also gets a look into Carthage’s mind when he is outplayed by others which leads to interesting insights and discussion points.
As a fan of history, my only disappointment was the lack of historians flocking Judge Rice when he was awaken. I’m sure historians would have been standing in line to get a firsthand account of the late 1800’s, and how society viewed itself then as opposed to being judged by today’s standards. How we are judged by the standards of yore we get through the observations of Rice.
The Curiosity is a very enjoyable and interesting novel. There is a lot going on, in and for this book starting at the premise and ending at the storytelling.
Synopsis:
On an Arctic expedition, Dr. Kate Philo discovers the body of a man who was flash frozen deep in ice. In what could only be considered exceptional science with a bit of luck, the man, Judge Jeremiah Rice was brought back to life after being dead for more than a century.
Dr. Kate joins Judge Rice as he learns more about this new society, while the project’s director Dr. Erastus Carthage tries to exploit the Lazarus Project and Judge Rice for as long as he can.
And time is running out quickly.
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More Books by Stephen P. Kiernan
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free from TLC Book Tours.
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account
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View Comments
This sounds really interesting. I agree with you that historians should have been clamoring to interview the man from the past.
I know, that's what I kept thinking throughout.
I'm not sure what my disconnect with Carthage was all about, I just couldn't get into him at all. Wonderful review.
Thanks for the kind words Ryan.
I thought Carthage was hilarious.
You make the characters in this book sound interesting. I especially think I would like to read about Erastus. I like books that are from a certain character's perception, yet reveal how things really are even though it's all presented through the one person's prejudices. Good review.
Thanks Sharon
Carthage sounds like one of those characters that I will love and hate at the same time. This is definitely the kind of book I really enjoy - a bit of science, great characters, and an exciting story!
Thanks for being on the tour.