Mutation

Rating:
Summary: so-so...a bit on the outrageous side
Review: Well, it all started when my dad began checking out all these Robin Cook books from the library. Finally, out of curiosity, I picked one up and began to read, wondering what was so great about these novels that had my dad checking out every last one from the local library. The hardcover I picked up just so happens to be this one, Mutation. The novel starts out with long descriptive passages, which I find out are quite trademark of Robin Cook. Turns out, he is a physician turned novelist, so it helps to know that he has the credentials to be throwing out the medical terms to the reader. After all the deep, allusion-filled novels I've been reading for school, it was nice to curl up on the couch with a medical mystery. Even though the book is 300 something pages, it only took me one day to read. I couldn't put it down! I sat there until 2 AM just to finish that novel. I was not expecting to find any underlying allusions, for heaven's sake I was trying to escape from heavy thinking novels; but after going through the first few chapters it hit me that Victor from Mutation holds an uncanny resemblance to Dr. Victor Frankenstein from Mary Shelley's famous novel. Victor attempts to manipulate gene science to procreate the perfect "superchild." Dr. Frankenstein uses electricity to bring the dead to life. Both Victors are driven to alter the laws of nature to satisfy their desire to play God. However, where Mary Shelley is vague on the scientific details of Frankenstein's experiments, Robin Cook elaborates more on the specifics of Victor's gene-altering experiments, thus adding to the believability of his story. This is frightening, especially in present time when the possibility of scientific enhancement of embryos is all too real. However, no matter how feasible the thought of a scientifically perfected child may be, the rest of Cook's story is quite outrageous, leaving the reader thinking "The Outer Limits." I won't spoil the ending for anybody, but I will say this: for those that have read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the story line is pretty clear cut, but for everyone else, you might be taken on a couple wild plot twists.

Rating:
Summary: Evil or just plain genius?
Review: When I started to read this book, Mutation, I found that there was many new scientific research done to write it. First, I thought the book drug on in a few places. I thought it wasn't one of his best books nor was it his worst.
Throughout the book I was impressed at how well the story was written, especially the research involved in genetics and biotechnology. When Dr. Victor Frank created the NGF gene, I was shocked at how easily someone can change genes around. When Dr. Frank put this gene is his unborn child, I thought that was cruel.
When the Franks took their son home (VJ), Mrs. Frank noticed some differences in the personalities of VJ and David. Whenever David came down with a rare cancer along with the nanny soon after VJ was three. I thought this was strange since David and the nanny had said about how VJ was evil and wanted to kill both of them.
Eventually Dr. Frank showed VJ the lab where he worked. I thought this was wierd because ever since VJ loved the lab. From there on out, VJ practically spent all his free time there because he was a child prodigy.
After some speculating with VJ's drop in intelligence and other weird emotions, Mrs. Frank finally decided there was something wrong with VJ that she didn't know about. She finally asked her husband what he did whenever he did the invetro-fertilization, he didn't really want to tell her knowing she'd get upset.For some odd reason, I would want to know why someone would want their kid to be a genius with the help of some gene from another animal.
When two of Dr. Frank's experiments died of swelling of the brain, he decided someone knew about his NGF experiment. He began to think someone was out to kill VJ next since he was part of his experiment. Dr. Frank decided to do a neuro workup to see if someone introduced cephalorclor to VJ because that was what caused the two kids's brains to swell and eventually kill them.
Over a period of time, VJ began to smuggle equipment to a different place on the grounds of Chimera where Victor worked. He wanted to start his own lab because he was fascinated by his father's work. VJ even solved one problem Victor had been trying to find an answer for.
Soon, Victor began to wonder where VJ went to while they were at Chimera. He began to follow JV one day and discovered his lab. VJ wasn't happy at first, but he did show Victor almost everything in the lab. Victor was impressed.
VJ told his dad he would get the credit for his latest success of being able to implant an embryo in the uterus a certain way to guarantee a successful pregnancy. Victor was impressed. Honestly, how could a kid be that smart at age 10?
Near the end of the book, VJ turns on his parents. I'm not about to tell exactly what he did because that would ruin the ending. It's pretty interesting at how smart VJ really was. I am going to say VJ does end up getting killed but those of you who read Mutation can figure out how he died.
On a whole, I thought this book was fairly good. I didn't think it was Robin Cook's best or worst book. I was impressed with his research in the biotechnology and genetics. Maybe some day some of the things Victor was working on will become part of everday life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in medicine, science, mystery, genetics, and biotechnology.

Rating:
Summary: A PARENT'S DREAM TO A PARENT'S NIGHTMARE
Review: When you learn your dream child is a living nightmare, what will you do to stop him/her? Find out what is one of millions of options in this great novel from the master of the medical thriller himself, Robin Cook. This book will defenintely keepyou up at night

Rating:
Summary: Great Ending
Review: While I was reading I really wasn't very impressed and thought the story was horrible just becasue I THOUGHT I knew exactly how the story was going after just 90 pages but then I read the epilogue and was stunned by the final two pages. So to summarize the book was average at best but the ending saved it.