Lust [Hardcover]

Geoff Ryman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2001

The ultimate fantasy? Or a nightmare of self-discovery? From the renowned author of 253 comes a dark, erotic fable for the modern age. David, a young scientist investigating what happens to the brain during the process of learning, suddenly finds himself the subject of a bizarre experiment. On the way home from the lab one night he spies Tony, a fitness instructor from his gym, on the same platform waiting for the tube. David's had an obsession with Tony for weeks, but David is no Adonis and Tony's barely noticed him at all. Until now. When David imagines Tony naked, a pleasant fantasy to spice up a dull journey home, an extraordinary thing happens: Tony strips there and then on the platform and offers himself in front of all onlookers. Horrified, David flees. But back at his flat, Tony reappears, as if by magic. And disappears, when David wishes him away. And reappears when he calls him back. Being a scientist, David recognises an experiment when he sees one, and sets out to test hypotheses. In quick succession he conjures up Billie Holliday, Johnny Weismuller, Daffy Duck, Picasso, Sophia Loren, even his younger self. Mad with lust and losing all scientific objectivity, he runs the gamut of his fantasies until, sated and morally bankrupt, he's forced to confront himself. He realises he is the subject of a divine experiment into human temptation, free will and the excercise of power.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Reality's got a hole in it." That's what runs through Michael Blasco's head when he discovers that he has the uncanny ability to bring his fantasies to life in this wacky, inspired third novel by Ryman (Was). The 38-year-old gay protagonist is a government scientist experimenting on baby chicks and has a flat in London's West End with Phil, his passionless boyfriend. While seething on a subway platform, he imagines the beefy trainer at his gym stripping naked right in front of him-and poof-it happens! Terrified at first, Michael quickly regains his composure and wills into action a series of characters like Tarzan and cartoon diva Taffy Duck; narcissistically, he also conjures a copy of himself. His reunion with a long-lost high school sweetheart nicknamed Bottles proves to be touching and funny, but his meeting with Mark, a victim of AIDS, turns sad when Mark rebuffs his plea to revive him. In an effort to inject passion into his stagnant relationship, Michael "calls up" a younger version of Phil paired with a younger version of himself. When this scheme backfires, he returns to the anonymous "speedy, functional sex" that has long sustained him. A night out with feisty Billie Holiday, passionate sex with Picasso and dalliances with Lawrence of Arabia on Viagra reinvigorate him and make for some funny, titillating reading, but as Michael's notebook of his wild adventures begins to overflow, the story's whimsical tone changes, revealing more of his true character as well as some particularly troublesome personal problems. Among them is a disturbing boyhood fixation on his father, which mutates into a wincingly unnerving incestuous sequence. Ryman's "careful-what-you-wish-for" message is artfully packaged in this quirky, offbeat, entertaining novel.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Praise for 253: 'Has more emotional depth than a festival of tear-jerkers' INDEPENDENT. 'A stylistically dazzling box of fireworks' GLASGOW HERALD. 'Astonishingly vibrant . . .lyrical and totally engaging' LA TIMES

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Flamingo (February 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0002259877
• ISBN-13: 978-0002259873
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,984,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Geoff Ryman is a Canadian living in the United Kingdom. His first book based on events in Cambodia was published in 1985, the award-winning The Unconquered Country. The King's Last Song was inspired by a visit to an Australian archaeological dig at Angkor Wat in 2000. He has been a regular visitor since, teaching writing workshops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap twice, and publishing three further novellas set in Cambodia. In Britain he produced documentaries for Resonance FM, London, on Cambodian Arts. He has published nine other books and won fourteen awards. He teaches creative writing at the University of Manchester.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking and Entertaining, October 13, 2004

By 

Josh Aterovis (Baltimore, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lust: Four Letters. Infinite Possibilities. (Hardcover)

Imagine discovering that you have the power to create a temporary copy of anyone in the world alive or dead-and they will be yours to command. You can make them desire you, work for you, tell you their deepest, darkest secrets. What would you do with such a gift? Or is it a curse?

This has become the reality for Michael Blasco, a mild-mannered research scientist. When he first conjures up a copy of his hunky gym instructor on a train platform, Michael fears for his sanity. He quickly realizes, however, that the copies are every bit as real as the original, complete with intelligence and awareness-at least while they exist. With just a thought, Michael can end their existence as easily as he brought them into being. Once they are gone, nothing remains of them except Michael's memories.

While he first sees it all as a sort of game for his own amusement, as time goes on, Michael begins to wonder why he has this strange ability. The book takes a more serious turn as Michael searches for answers and explores the morality of the situation.

What at first seems to be a wet-dream come true gradually turns into a nightmare as Michael realizes that there are consequences to his actions with the copies. His long-term relationship is crumbling, he neglects his research project, the originals seem to retain some memory of what their copies do, and not all copies appreciate being brought back from the dead.

Lust is an amazingly original and thought-provoking concept. It could have turned into a prurient tale in the hands of a lesser author, but Geoff Ryman's strong writing more than pulls it off. The story both entertains and causes us to think about the consequences of our actions. I had a little trouble getting into Ryman's style, but about a third of the way into the book it really takes off and I was left holding on for the rest of the ride. Ryman brings historic and well-known characters to life with shocking plausibility. I especially enjoyed the visits from Billie Holiday and Pablo Picasso. Knowing a bit about both of them, I believe Ryman truly caught their spirit in their portrayals.

Once you adjust to his style, Ryman's writing is simply stunning. His word-pictures are so accurate and vibrant that you feel as if you are seeing the story instead of just reading it. In turns humorous and touching, the book brings everything together by the end for a wonderfully satisfying read. I highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky, clever, unusual, November 25, 2002

By 

whitecrow (NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lust (Hardcover)

What an interesting book! What a concept - a gay scientist can materialise any person he wills - for conversation and/or sex! When I commenced it I was aware that the author had written a cyber-novel, and my initial feeling was that this novel was written in a fashion dictated by the internet - short sentences, single and simple ideas. But no - complexity gained with each page, and fairly early on the writer showed depth, a marvellous eye for character and detail, a great sense of humour, and an ability to halt any wandering mind with a sentence that captures a sentiment so expressively that the mental jaw drops in mid-read - "It was going to be tiring living with someone who went straight to the truth without passing GO first" (from memory - forgive me, GR, if wrong). The 'scientific breakthrough' at the end seems initially out-of-place - but it does indeed work, to tie the novel together and allow it and the dear protaginist to move forward. Recommended as a quirky and unusual read that will have you recalling it fondly days afterwards.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a Deadly Sin, October 12, 2005

By 

Isabelle (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lust: or No Harm Done (Paperback)

This book is sometimes funny, frequently poignant, a little kinky and thoroughly thought-provoking. It's the story of a research scientist who one day discovers he has power to create a double of anyone on Earth who must obey his every command. At first he uses it for the obvious - sexual wish fulfillment (and some wacky experimentation with Tarzan and a buxom cartoon character) but, ultimately, he learns about himself and his responsibilities in love and life. Great characters who you can care about and a great message.