Customer Reviews

Bloodsworth Island

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I really wanted to be able to write a positive review for Rearden and Slate's Bloodsworth Island. I have a soft spot for new authors, and for that reason briefly considered whitewashing my evaluation. In the end, however, I felt compelled to be honest: this book lacks strength in almost every area.

That's not to say there aren't elements here to praise. These two new authors clearly love to tell a story and know something about creating suspense, essential in a thriller. So what failed? The prose is bland and often awkward, and the characters, despite the authors' attempts to lay details on top of them, are two-dimensional. The main character, supposedly a man bright enough to be a doctor, someone who has come created an ingenious marker to identify cystic fibrosis carriers (and "genetically perfect" to boot) demonstrates the wit of a flea. I don't care if he IS a member of a cult; a man of that intelligence should have sensibilities greater than those of a five year old child. The authors seem to have confused brainwashing with brain removal. As for the premise, that cult leader Dr. Gallagher, with his evil genetic purity plan, has positioned himself favorably largely by his government contracts and contacts, is preposterous. The security clearance process required of people working on top secret projects (even if they don't work directly for the government) would reveal at once a cult, something the US goverment would dump in an instant. The above are just a few of many holes in this book.

Rearden and Slate have accomplished what many aspiring writers never do: a finished book. Now they need to learn that a novel is more than an idea, a plot. Once they incorporate all the elements of fiction into their work, weaving each into the whole of the others, they will be well on their way to careers as fiction writers. I wish them the best of luck.

Dr Marcus Gallagher, the administrator for the closely controlled Bloodsworth Island facilty, wants to rid the planet of all genetically interited disease. His scientists live on an island in a cult-like atmosphere where their every move and thought is controlled so that they are able to concentrate on the jobs at hand and not be bothered by the day-to-day personal peressures that affect the rest of us.

Gene Nolan is the Bloodsworth Island research scientist that was instrumlental in developing a virus to attack the disease transmitting gene for Cystic Fibrosis and a test to pinpoint that gene. When the entire Orani Indian colony in Ecuador that the Bloodsworth Island scientific team is testing sicken and die, Gene begins to suspect that they have been deliberately murdered using his experimental virus. His suspicion begins to point to the idea that perhaps Dr. Gallagher and his administrative team want to rid the Earth of all genetically transmitted gene carriers.

In a suspensful, fast reading first novel, Slate and Rearden have come up with a truly frightening concept involving genetic research, and the strange gullibility of dedicated humanitarians. When Gene starts thinking in terms of the numbers of people this mass murder would involve, it becomes unthinkable; he must stop this insanity.

This Action packed suspense novel really gave me some things to think about...and maybe changed my mind on previous ideas about genetic research. I'm looking forward to more innovative ideas from this team...a bright star in the new author galaxy. Beverly Rowe, reviewer for myshelf.com.

The premise for the book is chilling and realistic, particularly with the amazing developments in the science of DNA mapping, cloning, and stem cell creations. The cover art is masterful. The name of the island (which actually is in the Chesapeake Bay) seems to be a complex synopsis of the premise (as in worthy blood). Bloodsworth Island is owned by the federal government, which suits the intrigue and plausible terrorism in the scenario.

Dr. Marcus Gallagher could easily pass for the charismatic Jim Jones or the youthful Adolf Hitler. He has established a bio-research facility with the goal of eradicating those that he has judged to be genetically inferior humans. He exerts cult-like control and indoctrination over all of his employees, but the devotion of highly educated scientists is not realistic.

The hero is Gene Nolan, a research physician who lost his residency and could never get another job until this golden apple was offered to him. I immediately thought that Dr. Gallagher had arranged this before the story begins. Being jobless and unemployable is what Dr. Gallagher holds over him, but it is not a strong enough reason to support the loss of individuality that is required. There are no ex-employees, except in graves.

The writing is disjointed and hard to follow, almost as if too much information was edited out in trying to create a more mysterious environment. "...The clandestine practice of medicine..." is a clue to the intrigue with the overtones of "black arts" or witchcraft and wizards, which does fit the story.

These are good ideas that need further development. Future books by Slate and Rearden should be a real treat.

Victoria Tarrani

This is a book about an all too plausible form of biological terrorism. Or more accurately, perhaps, medical eugenicism. One man has created a vision and a plan for humanity that will change the world forever. For those who are chosen, it will become the perfect world, a world without inherited disease--all inherited disease.

The man behind the plan is a brilliant, charismatic scientist, Dr. Marcus Gallagher. He wants to eliminate all genetically inherited disease, and he has created the most advanced research lab on the planet to do it. After hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and 10 years of research, the doctor is almost ready to implement his plan.

Unfortunately for humanity, the doctor's idea of how to do this is not what you would expect. Instead of trying to cure people of inherited diseases, for example, cystic fibrosis, he is developing viruses that will instead attack the carriers, thereby removing them from the gene pool, allowing doctor Gallagher to achieve his vision of a genetically perfect world.

Doctor Gallagher has gathered a brilliant and dedicated cadre of devoted scientists and doctors to help him develop and carry out this sinister plan. Furthermore, they have been subjected to a cult-like indoctrination and training so that they are absolutely loyal to Dr. Gallagher. They are now part of a new order, a new secret society that will transform the world. Nothing, it seems, can stop the evil Dr. Gallagher from carrying out his plan. If the doctor is able to implement it, millions of people will die.

Among the many scientists and doctors on Bloodsworth Island, a small island in Chesapeake Bay which houses the lab, only one man, Dr. Gene Nolan, has doubts about the doctor and his plans. But how can one man stop the seemingly omnipotent Dr. Gallagher and his cadre of hundreds of absolutely loyal men? Will he be able to break free of the conditioning, will he be able to carry out his plan in time to stop the evil Dr. Gallagher?

We may soon have the genetic knowledge that will make such a sinister plan possible. Combining a realistic scientific premise with a suspenseful story, this is an imaginative scientific thriller about a terrifying, but all too possible, future.

This is an intriguing book by little-known authors. It's the brainwashed little guy versus the powerful director of a medical research facility who has Hitler-like goals. Once you start reading this book, you won't want to put it down. The characters are well developed, and the plot is terrifying because it is entirely plausible.

These authors have never been part of an elite force, or maybe they were brain washed during their encounter. I have never seen a man or woman give up their identity, needs, and desires in personal situations. Though highly trained, and do obey a commander, they do not stop thinking. The military does not want androids; who does? Warriors are reasonable or they are terrorists; if scientists are not then it is no wonder the world is at war.

How many times a day are we bombarded with headlines screaming new breakthroughs or threats in genetic tampering, biological warfare, chemical terrorism, and all those other wonderful anxiety provoking topics? Reardon and Slate take some of these threats, throw in eugenics and cult behavior, and then mix all this up to create Bloodsworth Island.

Gene Nolan is a young, idealistic doctor who loses his residency and flounders around until Dr. Marcus Gallagher becomes his mentor, employer, and father figure. Gene joins Dr. Gallagher and his "family" at the Davenport Center on Bloodsworth Island. Gene thinks he's there to help the family find a cure for horrible diseases, but Dr. Gallagher's plan is to eliminate carriers of disease. Nice work if you can get it, eh? In the meantime, Gene falls in love with Kelly even though this relationship violates the rules of the Center. Gene then proceeds to violate nearly all the principles that guide each member of the family at Davenport Center. All of these elements come together in a race to save the world from Dr. Gallagher's nefarious scheme.

I like this premise. It's timely enough to be interesting and scary enough to add a touch of "what if?" However, the writing style here leaves much to be desired. The characters are underdeveloped to the point of being rather one-dimensional. I didn't have a feeling of suspense or surprise at any point of the story. The writing is flat. I can't write a novel myself, so I rely on others to create great stories and characters for me. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen here. Perhaps with more fiction experience, Slate and Rearden can combine their great ideas with great writing and characters. This is an interesting storyline, and if you can ignore some of the writing flaws, you'll probably enjoy it.

In their first novel, Jeff Slate and David Rearden tackle the theme of the possible eugenicist uses of the current revolution in biotechnology. Attempting perhaps to emulate the success of Michael Critchton in penning medical thrillers for a popular audience, Slate and Rearden weave a fascinating tale involving a secret Chesapeake Bay laboratory, an evil scientist with a cult-type staff of followers, the extermination of an entire village of Ecuadorian natives, and a confused but ultimately noble protagonist who attempts to right the wrongs he discovers. All in all this makes for a quick and interesting read that might make it a fun take-along on a summer vacation. At the same time, however, the novel emerges as disappointing in some fundamental ways.

What succeeds here is the apparent familiarity of the authors with various aspects of their topic. Clearly Rearden knows a lot about the biological issues presented in the story, and consequently the discussions of the genetic markers associated with certain diseases are convincingly thorough. The authors also are apparently familiar with the life and culture of some Ecuadorian natives, as the interaction between protagonist Gene Nolan and his native friend Hiaroma comes across as authentic. The geographical underpinnings of the suburban Maryland setting for much of the book is certainly accurate and well-described. Finally, the overall trajectory of the story is gripping enough to keep a reader's interest from start to finish.

Unfortunately, the book also reflects the inexperience of these authors as novelists. The prose style is so basic and unadorned that I suspect any reasonably literate middle school pupil could race through the story effortlessly. Some may perceive this as a virtue, but I found the simple, bare-bones style of writing to be disappointing.

A second set of problems involves the authors' selection of a serious biological/philosophical issue as their central topic. In portraying Marcus Gallaher as a latter-day eugenics mastermind, the authors have neglected to explicate sufficiently the philosophical, social, and political themes and issues that would likely be associated with such a hypothetical figure. Gallagher's Bloodsworth Island laboratory is supposedly "top secret," and yet it's clear that after one or perhaps two of his dastardly "experiments" resulting in large-scale body counts inquiries would be launched and there would be a significant reaction against any futher work of this kind. End of story.

The only possible way out of this quandry would be for the Bloodsworth Island effort to have garnered political muscle as part of some kind of broadly based movement. Certainly neo-Nazi ties would make for glamorous thematic material, but portrayal even of the level of public support enjoyed by eugenicists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries would have made for a richer overall story. Is there a significant basis in our current American society for this kind of future political movement? Exploration of some of of issues raised by this question would have made the novel far more socially relevant and very likely more frightening, as well.

Overall, there is a striking lack of discussion of any kind of utopian (or dystopian) vision for a better future world that might contribute to Gallagher's alleged "charisma" among his followers. The hold Gallagher exercises upon his underlings is cult-like in ways that are ritualistic and silly, in fact, rather than plausible. And aside from his immediate staff, there is no 'movement' at all--thus, the potential for actual success of Gallagher's lonely efforts to "rid the planet of genetically inherited disease" would certainly be doomed from the start.

Finally, there is a curious inclusion of some supernatural elements that include a fortune teller whose visions we apparently are supposed to take seriously This, along with the sudden (and temporary) acquisition of magical qualities by a shamanistic totem from Ecuador don't really fit with the matter-of-fact scientific tone that characterizes the rest of the book. It's almost a kind of "deux ex machina" to get the authors through particular portions of the story, or else they represent potshots against the "hegemony of science." To me, however, these were not convincing inclusions.

Despite the flaws in *Bloodsworth Island*, I will look forward to the next effort by these two young writers, as they have talent as storytellers and to their credit, they apparently wish to explore some scientific issues that raise serious ethical questions.

Reading a book by a previously unpublished author is a bit like "buying a pig in a poke"; you never know what you are getting. I can still remember the thrill I felt almost 30 years ago when I first found and read the initial book by a then-unknown Stephen King. That's what keeps me experimenting with new writers, hoping the magic will strike once more. This is not a particularly bad book, but the writing isn't particularly good, and the dialogue is often quite stilted. The plot is very interesting, although there are what I felt to be some silly aspects to it. These gentlemen may have a future as writers, and I will definitely give them another chance.

The storyline in this book is excellent. The ability of the authors to tell a story, unfortunately, is not. The problem is the authors seem to lack storytelling skills. As a technology professional I admire their writing, which would sparkle if the book were a technical dissertation. However, when I read a novel (a rare thing), I want it to read like a novel and not like a technical document. If the authors take a few seminars on creative writing, learn how to use words to elicit emotions (except for disdain) and to engage the reader, then rewrite this book it would easily rate 5 stars. Like I said, the storyline is wonderful - the telling of it is, well, dry and sterile.