French language
Published May 1, 2013 by J'ai Lu.
La sublime Emiko n'est pas humaine. C'est une créature artificielle, élevée en crèche et programmée pour satisfaire les caprices décadents d'un homme d'affaires de Kyoto. Etres sans âme pour certains, démons pour d'autres, les automates sont esclaves, soldats ou jouets pour les plus riches, en ce XXIe siècle d'après le grand krach énergétique, alors que les effets secondaires des pestes génétiquement modifiées ravagent la Terre et que les producteurs de calories dirigent le monde. Qu'arrive-t-il quand l'énergie devient monnaie ? Quand le bioterrorisme est outil de profit ? Et que les dérives génétiques font basculer le monde dans l'évolution posthumaine ?
I heard about this book on a podcast over a decade ago, bought it, and it sat on my bookshelf all this time. Worth the wait, but I do wish I'd read it sooner. While it took time for me to adjust to the style and the occasional Thai or Chinese words, I thought this book to be a modern masterpiece. And, in its final chapters, pretty f'ing cinematic. TV Series, perhaps?
This is a difficult book. Very difficult. That makes it all the more worthwhile to read.
Dystopian? Check.
Cyberpunk? Check.
Threatening? Check.
This book is loaded with genetics, manipulation, history, views and visions, hopes, dreams... you name it and I probably found it somewhere.
All of this and also the background of each character is intriguing and takes you on a trip through a Bangkok you've never seen before. I think that's a good thing, although having a peek at a Megodont would be amazing. It's difficult to say much about this book without giving things away. If you like a peek into our possible future you need to read this. Again, it's not an easy book if you really read it.
