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A Theory of Bastards
A Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
15 posts | 8 read | 1 reading | 29 to read
Francine decided to share her MacArthur award with the Foundation so that she could study a group of remarkable animals, gentle and intelligent - the perfect creatures to certify her astonishing theory of reproduction, a revolutionary concept that has already changed genetic testing and unmasked public figures and past presidents. As Francine learns more about her fascinating subjects, we slowly discover that she has access to the most advanced technology: "bodyware," the lifelike devices that have replaced cellphones, computers, watches, television--most every means of communication. This near-future world is utterly dependent on these little understood mechanisms and implants. And so when the terrible, dry winds sweep out of the abandoned places in America, silencing all devices, Francine and the man she has grown to love make a decision that will determine if they'll face a premature ending or, maybe, find a chance to start life over. This superb literary novel can't be characterized as dystopian or science fiction. Audrey Schulman has written an absorbing, recognizable story, a book that is humane, generous and surprising. Readers will shiver as they keep turning the pages.
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RowReads1
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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BarbaraTheBibliophage I bought this one recently also! Hope it‘s good. 4y
25 likes1 comment
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readordierachel
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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This was both very easy and very hard! Kept it to books published since 2010. I find myself thinking of these often. #top10ofthedecade #fictionedition

*Honorable mentions to Sally Rooney's Conversations With Friends, Mohsin Hamid's Exit West, Becky Chambers' A Closed and Common Orbit, and Paul Tremblay's Cabin at the End of the World

**I'm not even done reading Girl, Woman, Other and it still makes the list. It's that good. Seriously.

BarbaraBB I need to read Girl Woman Other soon! Great choices! 4y
Jas16 Such great choices 4y
batsy Lovely selection 😍 Nice to the The Animators and Normal People there ❤️ 4y
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Billypar I feel like Mount Char has been on my mental tbr list forever...2020 has to be the year- I like what I've heard about it. 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Two of these were on my fiction list as well! Great picks! 4y
LeahBergen Oh, good. I have a few of these waiting on my shelves. 😆 4y
Graywacke Great list. Seems I should try Normal People... 4y
Ruthiella The Library at Mt. Char is one of those books I keep meaning to read! I feel I will really like it.😀 4y
Cinfhen Love this list!! A little bit of everything 💟 4y
readordierachel @BarbaraBB It's amazing. Well deserving of all the accolades. I hope you enjoy it! 4y
readordierachel @batsy Couldn't leave those off the list. Two books that shredded my heart---in a good way? 🙃 4y
readordierachel @Billypar It's a wild, wild ride. Honestly one of the most original books I've read. Look forward to your thoughts when you get to it! 4y
readordierachel @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I saw that! I loved all your choices! You're always expanding my nonfiction tbr 😊 4y
readordierachel @LeahBergen Something to look forward to! 😁 4y
readordierachel @Graywacke You absolutely should! It's wonderful. 4y
readordierachel @Ruthiella It's a trip. Unlike anything else. I hope you like it as much as I did! 4y
readordierachel @Cinfhen It was so much fun to put this list together! 😊 4y
merelybookish This is a fun list! You really mix up your genres! And glad to hear Girl, Woman, Other is good. Still think it's a shame she had to share the Booker with Atwood. 4y
readordierachel @merelybookish I like variety 😁. I love Margaret Atwood and I haven't read The Testaments yet, but I'm inclined to agree. This book should have gotten to shine on its own. 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @readordierachel Litsy is notoriously bad for mine! 4y
vivastory Great choices 👍 4y
youneverarrived A couple here I really want to read soon! Great picks 💙 4y
75 likes1 stack add27 comments
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BookishTrish
A Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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Lunchtime reading view #audiowalk

sudi Beautiful view 5y
Simona I really like your lunchtime reading views❣️ ...and I‘m a little bit envious 😘 5y
BookishTrish @sudi @simona Thank you both. The view is a lucky benefit of a lovely job 5y
79 likes3 comments
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readordierachel
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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Ok, here are my #top6reads so far in 2019. All 5 ⭐. Theory of Bastards was my favorite favorite. Thanks for the tag @Redwritinghood ! What about you @batsy @Tanisha_A @JennyM @DivineDiana ? And anyone else who'd like to share 😊

swishandflick A Little Life! 😭 5y
batsy Fabulous list and almost all on my TBR 🙂 Thanks for the tag! 5y
Cinfhen Still need to checkout 5y
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JennyM Great list...I will put my thinking cap on 😘 5y
readordierachel @swishandflick Right? Gutting 😭 5y
readordierachel @Cinfhen I hope you like it when you do check it out! 5y
readordierachel @JennyM Look forward to your picks! 5y
vivastory Which Toni Morrison books have you read? I've only read one, but I loved it. Wonderful list. All are on my TBR. 5y
vivastory Except for Oscar & Lucinda. Already read (& adored) it. 5y
readordierachel @vivastory Sula was my first! I can't believe it took me so long. I have Beloved and The Bluest Eye on my list to read next. I can't remember if we talked about it already, but which one have you read? 5y
vivastory Song of Solomon. I read it late last year, around Xmas. I had always heard it was her most challenging book, but I was immediately drawn in 5y
readordierachel @vivastory Adding it to the list. There is a documentary about her that I believe just came out. Not sure if it's in wide release yet. It's called "The Pieces I Am." Sounds fantastic. 5y
vivastory I just heard about it. I will definitely be watching it... although it may take me awhile. I still haven't watched the documentary about James Baldwin. 😬 5y
Cathythoughts Great list ! I‘ve read some & will be stacking others 👍🏻♥️ 5y
Tanisha_A Brilliant picks! My TBR is shooting up! Thanks for the tag love, will share in a bit. 🥰 5y
youneverarrived A Little Life is amazing. I have the tagged back to read after your review on it 👍 5y
readordierachel @Cathythoughts ❤👍🏼😊 5y
readordierachel @youneverarrived Ooh, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Look forward to your thoughts. 5y
youneverarrived Thanks I‘ll let you know when I read it 😘 5y
atla Ouch, my TBR list just grew by 3 books. I loved all 3 of your lower row, and haven‘t read any of the upper - so now I must add them immediately to my list! 5y
BiblioLitten I have had Sula on my list for so long! 5y
readordierachel @atla #sorrynotsorry 😁 Be warned that A Little Life is an emotional rollercoaster. So worth it though. 5y
readordierachel @BiblioLitten It's a fantastic book! 5y
106 likes2 stack adds25 comments
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BookishTrish
A Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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So far liking the lit fic sci fi vibe of this one #audiowalk

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BookishTrish
A Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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New week, new #audiobook

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atla
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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Pickpick

It took me a while to get into this, but I‘m so glad I stuck with it. @readordierachel posted a great review that had me rushing to pick this up & she encouraged me to keep going - reassuring me that the novel swiftly changes & becomes something else entirely, & boy was she right. It became amazing. This novel has so much heart, in a package with a little bit of evolutionary science, climate change, chronic illness, and dystopia. Thanks Rachel!

readordierachel Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 5y
7 likes1 comment
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atla
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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It‘s not often that I get 100 pages into a book without knowing how I feel about it. At 100 pages, I‘ve either decided it‘s wonderful or I‘ve cast it aside 75 pages ago. But This book has done it. I‘m intrigued by the premise, and so rarely do we get to read work which features women with chronic illnesses that I want to keep reading. On the other hand, I don‘t feel any emotional connection with the characters or story yet. Ugh, do I keep going?

readordierachel I would say keep going! But I loved it, so I'm biased. If it helps, it becomes a very different book as it continues. 5y
atla @readordierachel Thanks! I‘m going to keep at it for a bit. I actually selected it and immediately ran to pick it up from the library based on your review :) 5y
readordierachel I hope it clicks for you! 🤞🏼 5y
3 likes3 comments
review
readordierachel
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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Pickpick

I loved this so much. Lit fic with elements of near-future sci-fi, cli-fi, dystopia, social science, and biology---it's hard to really describe. An acclaimed researcher who has struggled with a lifetime of chronic pain comes to a facility to study the mating habits of bonobo apes. 👇🏼

readordierachel There are so many layers to this book: chronic pain and the ways medicine can fail people who have it, the drive to procreate, the biology of attraction, the possibilities and limits of technology, the future of the planet, evolution, love, friendship, connection. It completely absorbed and moved me. I never wanted to put it down. Favorite book of the year so far. 5y
tpixie Wow! Lots in the book!! 5y
readordierachel @tpixie There is so much! And so good! 5y
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tpixie @readordierachel 🎉😊🎉 5y
Cinfhen Sounds great!!!! 5y
Cinfhen Fabulous review🙌🏻 5y
Cinfhen @shawnmooney Does this interest you??? How about you @LeahBergen Sounds like a meaty book for a buddy read xx 5y
batsy Wow! Sounds amazing. I stacked it earlier thanks to your post ❤️ 5y
vivastory This sounds brilliant. Will definitely be checking out soon! 5y
readordierachel @Cinfhen Let me know what you think if you read it! 5y
readordierachel @batsy I think it's really special 💕 Hope you like it if/when you get to it 5y
readordierachel @vivastory I think you would like it. Look forward to your thoughts! 5y
BarbaraBB Sounds fascinating. I hadn‘t heard of it but will check it out now! 5y
readordierachel @BarbaraBB It really was! I very randomly heard of it and am so glad I did! 5y
GatheringBooks there needs to be a #EuropaEditionBookClub as well @vivastory 5y
readordierachel @GatheringBooks Yes! I would join 🙌🏼 5y
GatheringBooks @readordierachel right?? less american-centric, i feel. :) 😍📚🧚🏼‍♀️ 5y
shawnmooney @Cinfhen I laughed when I saw I was tagged in a comment about a book with this title! LOL what are you trying to tell me, Cindy? :-) This novel sounds quite interesting, but perhaps not my cup of tea. :-) 5y
Cinfhen Ha!! I thought the title alone might sway you @shawnmooney 😘😘I‘ll keep looking for another book we might be able to read together 5y
GatheringBooks @Cinfhen perhaps in 2020! We are also thinking of doing An International Year Of Reading in 2020 (special focus on translated titles), and the #EuropaEditions books would be perfect! 5y
readordierachel @GatheringBooks In general, I think they are less American-centric, but this one is set there 🙃 The author is originally from Canada though. 5y
GatheringBooks @readordierachel ooh! even more interesting! 😍 5y
RohitSawant Wow, sounds fascinating! Great review! 5y
readordierachel @rohit-sawant Thanks! 😊 5y
102 likes11 stack adds25 comments
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readordierachel
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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I've been advised that my flight will be delayed by at least 5 hours. I'm always complaining about not having enough uninterrupted reading time. I guess the universe heard me. 🙄

Jerdencon Hope the flight isn't that delayed!! 5y
TheBookgeekFrau Uggghhhh that sucks😖 BUT happy reading!!!😬 5y
Tanisha_A Hiii! I like when the universe hears us at times. 😁 Where are you going? Have a nice trip! 💜 5y
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Cathythoughts Oh dear !! Still , the universe provides. Hope it‘s a great read ♥️👍🏻 5y
wanderinglynn Ugh, but happy reading! 5y
readordierachel @Jerdencon Thanks! 🤞🏼 5y
readordierachel @C.Perone Thank you!! 5y
readordierachel @Tanisha_A Hello there! I am headed to NYC for a 1-day work trip. Thank you! ❤ 5y
readordierachel @wanderinglynn Thank you! 💕 5y
batsy What a title and description! Bummer about the delay but enjoy your reading and safe flight. 5y
readordierachel @batsy It's an absorbing read. So far I absolutely recommend it. Thank you! ❤ 5y
LeahBergen 5 hours?? Yikes! 5y
minkyb That is a major delay. 5y
readordierachel @LeahBergen @minkyb it ended up only being a 4-hour delay 😆 Still long, but I did a lot of reading! 5y
UwannaPublishme Oh my! That‘s a bit much, even for the Universe. 😁 5y
readordierachel @UwannaPublishme Indeed. The universe went a little too hard 😆 5y
91 likes2 stack adds17 comments
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readordierachel
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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This is real good so far. Near-future speculative fiction (think contact lenses that project a computer screen only you can see, implants that monitor your vitals, etc; tech is advanced but the world still seems basically the same). A no-nonsense researcher with health issues is studying bonobo orgies at a facility. I'm loving it 👍🏼 #currentlyreading

Lindy Sounds great! 5y
readordierachel @Lindy it is so far! 5y
80 likes6 stack adds2 comments
review
Settings
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
Pickpick

Near future SFF about a bonobo researcher with a MacArthur grant.

Very readable. Kept connecting it to other books I've read. Station Eleven / Lady Oracle / We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves

PKD award nom 1/6.

Lcsmcat That‘s good company it‘s keeping. 5y
42 likes1 comment
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NoFrigateLikeABook
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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Like all book professionals & aficionados, I cycle through totes from my favorite publishers. Europa‘s my current favorite.

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TrishB
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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Bailedbailed

The story had potential - but the lack of punctuation in dialogue is just down right annoying and I‘m bailing for now....maybe come back....

Kalalalatja I‘m passing on this for now, too! 6y
TrishB @Kalalalatja I know others had been chatting about this too and that it‘s just annoying...it was distracting and then made it hard to follow! 6y
batsy That's too bad. :( Such an intriguing title. 6y
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Andrew65 thats not good enough said andrew 6y
Reggie Lololololol @Andrew65 6y
TrishB @andrew65 @Reggie my thoughts exactly 🤷‍♀️ 6y
97 likes6 comments
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TrishB
Theory of Bastards | Audrey Schulman
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Today‘s lunchtime read, courtesy of a work colleague!! Which is really unusual as I‘ve usually read everything or have no desire to!

Kalalalatja I‘ll be looking forward to your review, the blurb has piqued my interest! 6y
TrishB @Kalalalatja the story feels like it will be good, but it‘s one of those where the dialogue has no punctuation and it‘s really irritating me.....maybe a bail out of frustration.... 6y
Kalalalatja Ugh, oh no! I won‘t blame you if you bail 👎 6y
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Caroline2 Arghhhh Ali smith has a habit of doing that with dialogue and it gets right on my nerves!!! 🙄 6y
TrishB @Caroline2 and her books are confusing enough!! 6y
Caroline2 Yeah defo!! 😂 6y
110 likes1 stack add6 comments