An Audience for Einstein (2006 EPPIE Award Winner) by Mark Wakely
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Book Reviews of An Audience for Einstein (2006 EPPIE Award Winner)
Book Review: teacher praise
Summary: 5 Stars
I am just finishing up 'An Audience for Einstein' with two of my high school English classes. The story has sparked many interesting classroom discussions and some independent research exploring cutting edge medical/scientific procedures and ethics/morality (ie: animal testing, life support, extreme cosmetic surgeries, late term abortion). All of my students have really enjoyed this novel. We also paired our reading with some sci-fi movies, like the original 1953 version of 'The Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'...Really, really fun! Book Review: Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Summary: 5 Stars
Young Percival Marlowe was a typical science geek; elderly Professor Marlowe is a Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist who needs more time to complete all of the brilliant projects he has yet to share with the world. Unable to find a way to retrieve his own youth, Marlowe backs the project of neurosurgeon Carl Dorning, hoping but never truly believing that Dorning's revolutionary technique of transplanting memories will prove successful by the time Marlowe's rapidly-approaching death arrives.
Dorning knows that he only has one shot at transplanting Marlowe's essence, and realizes that the Professor doesn't have much time. When he meets a young homeless boy, Miguel Sanchez, all of the pieces begin to fall into place. But, when Marlowe finally realizes that this procedure may actually happen, he begins to question the moral implications of Dorning's potential success: "You've wrestled with the procedures and won, but not with the long term consequences, Dorning. Don't you see? If you're successful, you might have found a unique way to create a new class of slaves" (p. 42).
Mark Wakely's first novel tackles some big issues, forcing the reader to weigh the value of the life of a genius of science against that of an illiterate street urchin. Is the potential value of continuing a life already proven invaluable to mankind worth the sacrifice of one homeless boy who doesn't even know his own age? Or is the unique spirit Miguel brings to humanity more important than all of the equations and theories a second life for Professor Marlowe could offer?
2006 EPPIE Award
2003 Authorlink New Author Award for Science Fiction
2002/03 Fountainhead Productions National Writing Contest Winner
2003 Writemovies.com International Writing Competition, Finalist
Reviewed by: Mechele R. Dillard
Book Review: A finely written story that explores the biggest science question
Summary: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Kelley Anderson for Reader Views (9/06)
Dr. Carl Dorning has come up with a brilliant surgical procedure. He has discovered a way to transplant the memories of one person into another. Completing his years of research, he has perfected his technique and discovered a way to completely transfer the personality without any chance of relapse. However, he does not reveal his startling revelation that perfected his technique until it is almost too late for Miguel. Miguel is the 10- year old boy that is the recipient of the memories of Professor Marlow, one of the most brilliant astrophysicists ever. Dr. Dorning takes a poor street-boy and turns him into Professor Marlow -- his memories, at least. But, at the price that Miguel's self is lost forever, this seems to be too much for both the Professor and Miguel.
Mark Wakely does an amazing job of putting enough medical detail into the procedure to make it believable without becoming overwhelming. The thoughts, memories and actions of the characters are realistic and likeable and I was drawn into the story quickly. The only low point, in my opinion, was the "dark revelation" of how Dr. Dorning perfected his technique. I was expecting to be blown away by some horrible secret and instead, my reaction was, "Oh, that's all?" You'll have to read for yourself and decide, but I was hoping for a more dramatic secret.
Even so, I would recommend this book for anyone that enjoys science fiction with a little suspense and a big dose of ethics. The writing style and storyline strike me as appropriate for teenagers and young adults, as well as anyone who enjoys a good story.
An "Audience for Einstein" was a pleasant surprise. From characters I could connect with, to a fast moving storyline, it was an enjoyable read from beginning to end.
Book Review: Really enjoyed this book
Summary: 5 Stars
Too many reviewers have given away the plot so all I want to say is that I really enjoyed An Audience for Einstein and that I look forward to the author's next book.
No spoilers from me.
Book Review: Cool
Summary: 5 Stars
I haven't read a whole lot of science fiction, but this book was the best one I've read yet. It made me think about how doctors might soon be able to change people in ways we might not really want to be changed. And I really liked the characters in the story, especially Professor Marlowe and Miguel. And Doctor Dorning was a great bad guy, smart but evil for not caring about what his experiment would do to Miguel. I was sorry about what happens to Marlowe in the end, but I was glad that Miguel was going to be okay, although I wasn't sure that his family would ever get back together again like he wanted. You've got to read this book.