Customer Reviews

Beasts (Doubleday science fiction)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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Crowley proposes a strange universe to develop a new Aesopian world.

USA has disintegrated in a bunch of minor Autonomies and City States competing one with each other in an endless struggle. There is a feeble nominal Federal Government and a new emerging Union for Social Engineering trying to gain political control. In some earlier stage, scientists had done some bio-engineering experiments producing some hybrid new species: the Leos grown from the improbable combination of human and lion cells. There are also other strange specimens: a fox-man, a dog with some undetected talents and, of course, lots of human characters, with their own goals and needs.

Combining all these elements, Crowley structures a very interesting novel. The Beasts traits, (fox's cunning, lion's braveness and endurance, dog's fidelity and self sacrifice) are potentiated by the mixture with human traits. Humans in their turn had been subject to over stressing situations in a changing background. So the interactions between different characters are always open to collisions due to so different natures and interests, the power shifting from one group to the other. At the same time all of them are also approaching to each other, seducing and being seduced, in a continuous dance in a spiral course.

There are some reminiscences and resonance from Aesop fables and his wise animals proposing intelligent lessons to humankind.
This is a book to be tasted as a rare dish by sophisticated readers.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

The 20th century's idle genetic experiments have created a hostile second race - human/lion hybrids known as 'leos' (cleche, but it works ^_^). And in the wake of civil wars, the American government has collasped, leaving its successor the Union for Social Engineering - a fanatical group struggling to bring together the splintered shards of government and bring the leos back under man's dominion. A very hard book to understand, with both its futrisitic feel and, ironically, laughable scenes that flaunt their datedness. Records? TV stations that sign off? Reynard, the sole human/fox hybrid in the story, having a clone that is EXACTLY the same as him (Then again, they were naive back then). However, the story does have some good adventure scenes and fasinating characters, from Painter the leo to Sweets, the dog with human intelligence. :-)

Not great, but not terrible either. Crowley lays out a future with genetic engineered human animal composites, that are being hunted down. Once again I came away feeling that perhaps the best part of this story were the parts Crowley DIDNT tell, although perhaps that is his way, making us think of all the interesting things that could be.

I'm not sure I would call this a great book. I am certain it left a lasting impression on me. It is simultaneously sad, poignant, insightful, tragic and hopeful. There is nothing new about the ideas in the story. There is also nothing at all that seems old or tired or repetitive. If ever a book could be considered a work of art, this one is it. The author's canvas is a magical blend of imagination and realism, and the formula is that of a true magician. As the observer, I was riveted by the entire act.

The book reminded me of 2 different artworks, one in the medium of literature and the other in movie form. First, the movie. Bladerunner. Yes, it was originally an excellent book by Philip Dick. I refer here to the movie, however, because the ideas of Dick's book were retained while the expression of those ideas took true art form in the movie images. There, replicants are hunted by their human creators when they seek to survive beyond their human-imposed limitations. Crowley's book achieves the same effect with imagery, but in words, as he tells the story of genetically manipulated humans and animals. They too are hunted by their creators, after being abandoned. Rutger Hauer, in one memorable movie moment, speaks the words "I want more life...". Crowley creates a similar scene when a "leo" (half human/half lion) is asked if he is fighting for the rights of his race. He responds that he doesn't know anything about rights. What he knows is he is alive, and intends to stay that way. Both stories explore some similar territory. Crowley's effort has a more thoughtful and contemplative tone, which strikes the most forcefully when combined with his beautiful writing.

The second comparison I can make with confidence is with the late, great Mervyn Peake and his Gormenghast masterworks. They are very different stories from Beasts, but they share the expert techniques of description. Scenes have such vividness, clarity and beauty that the reader can hear the converstaions and noises, and can feel what the characters feel. Crowley is much more concise, but retains the power of the words.

Readers may feel pity at some moments for the unfortunate creatures, but self-pity is nowhere to be found in the animal world or in this book. Creatures hurt, are afraid, or are safe and contented, but whatever the moment, each moment is to be savored. Pasts and futures never intrude, and setbacks are overcome or accepted. Humans are to be feared, because their motives are always mysterious and uncertain. Life for these creatures is crystal clear, with only one goal. To continue on.

This is an early effort by Crowley and is quite entertaining. Quite obviously set in a post some catastrophe in North America, Crowley pits the genetically mixed species + "good guys" against the Union for Social Engineering.

That's probably all you need to know about the antagonists. The story is somewhat predictable but is told simply and compassionately. This is recommended for collectors of Crowley and others that like forerunners (1976) of many of today's popular themes.

A shocking vision of the future involving half human,half lion mutants,one of them, Painter,is one of the main characters in this novel.