Customer Reviews

The Fourth R

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Terrifically suspenseful and readable tale of a small boy artificially made super-intelligent by scientists. He escapes his keepers and uses his superior brain to evade authorities and get along in the adult controlled world. If you liked James Patterson's "When the Wind Blows" and sequels, you'll like this original, tightly written suspense novel even better.

This book is a direct descendant of the Hampdenshire Wonder, although in this case the enhanced intelligence is controlled and deliberate.

When a very young James Holden's parents are killed, he is left in a different situation to most children in this situation. His clever scientist olds had invented an education machine that leaves him at five with the intellectual development and education of someone in high school, and beyond.

Much as Tim does in Children of the Atom he realises he can support himself by writing, and makes a living doing so when eight years old. This is a profession where you do not need to be seen.

Eventually he needs an adult front for economic reasons, and he approaches his landlord.

However, he can't stay hidden forever, no matter how clever, and unscrupulous types, as well as the government and the judiciary with ambition decide to put his invention to use, while shielding him from harassment, spies, and other such annoyances.

I love this book. Two parents who are scientist / inventors create a device that allows permanent retention in memory of anything read while using it. They are killed in a forced car crash by a family friend who wishes to steal this device. Their young son who is also in the car escapes and goes into hiding. He was educated by this device and knows how to recreate it. His problem how to set up an identity as an adult to hide behind until he is no longer a vulnerable minor. Meanwhile his legal guardian is still hunting him.