Author: Aurelio O'Brien

 ISBN: 1418421588

The following review was contributed by: Paul Lappen & CLICK TO VIEW Paul Lappen's Reviews

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 JohnDeer, a multi-headed deer used as a lawn
mower, an AlarmCock, the head of a rooster with little
feet and HeavenScent, 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.