Eve

Aurelio O'Brien

Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)

In his debut novel, EVE, Aureio O'Brien transports us to a future where technology has been replaced by biology in the form of genetically engineered CreatureComforts™. The last functioning robot, Pentser, offended by this turn of events, induces its lonely human owner, Govil, a genetic designer for GenieCorp™, into secretly creating a deliberately average woman, Eve. This act violates every law of their new age.

EVE is Aurelio O'Briens's vivdly original, sharp, sweet, and satirical tale of Govil's adventure. Part Swift, part Shelley, and a little bit Shaw, EVE takes place in a future both stunning and silly, beautiful and earthy, and fully grounded in the obscure psychology of human desire.

Review by Paul Lappen (311005) Rating (8/10)

Review by Paul Lappen
Rating 8/10
Govil is a man born in the wrong century. In the tradition of all great 19th Century heroes, he needs a great cause, so he creates for himself a living mate named Eve. But that's easy for Govil to do.

Earth of the 31st Century is a very strange sort of place. There are no births or deaths; everyone is immortal. Everyone is sterile, because things like sex and families have been outlawed; so have war, disease and famine. All of mankind's needs are taken care of by Genie Corp (the only corporation on Earth), makers of biological Creature Comforts. Among their creations are John Deer, a multi-headed deer used as a lawnmower, an Alarm Clock, the head of a rooster with little feet and Heaven Scent, a skunk that sprays air freshener. Therefore, it is nothing for Govil to create a deliberately average human. The hard part is keeping it quiet.

Eve's education is left in the hands of an obsolete robot named Pentser, the narrator of this book. Years later, after Eve is able to function on her own, she is told the truth about her origins. By this time, Govil has fallen for her. The not-very-diligent investigation finally learns the truth, and the three are hauled into court. While Eve is sentenced to be recycled, it is revealed that Govil is not the only one with a secret "relationship."

This one is pretty good. It's a good future social speculation mixed with a 19th Century romance and includes some very weird bits of genetic engineering. Get past the strange front cover, and this one is worth reading.
Paul Lappen (31st October 2005)