Review of Genes of the Past

João Ramos · Post by **João Ramos** » 01 Nov 2024, 20:28

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Genes of the Past" by Christer Jansson.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Genes of the Past by Christer Jansson is a sci-fi/fantasy book that is so well done that it leaves the reader wondering if the author knows something happening in the modern world that we do not. The plot is well thought out and straightforward: the discovery (in the 1960s) of a hominin fossil in the Moroccan desert reveals proteins of unknown function. This discovery leads a scientist to believe in the hypothesis that men in the distant past had a different form of communication (I don't want to give spoilers, but this would be considered a superpower today). The book then develops with a brilliant scientist known as "Symphony" searching for the truth. By the end of the book, the reader will be surprised by the possible scenarios in a world where this "superpower" could be commercialized.

This is a brilliant book with many good qualities. It is entertaining and makes the reader think about the possibilities (and dangers) of human engineering in the coming decades. Supposedly, "well-intentioned" people can take the initiative to develop technologies that will create chaos for all of humanity. This is probably already happening without us knowing it. When a work manages to entertain and simultaneously develop our critical sense, it is because it is terrific. The author is an intelligent, funny, and very talented scientist. What I liked most was that he created a profound and entertaining book.

One aspect that I thought could be problematic is the excessive description of food. The author makes it clear more than 10 times in the book how much he likes scones and even gives cheesecakes a score on a scale from 1 to 10. The repeated descriptions of food could be a problem, but the truth is that the author is so funny that he makes you laugh at these passages and the conversations he has with the dogs. Therefore, I didn't find anything negative to mention about this book. Besides, the book's editing is flawless, and I couldn't find a single grammatical error.

I don't need to repeat that I enjoyed Genes of the Past, right? It's a clever, intriguing, and thought-provoking book. I was surprised to read on the last page that the author is a retired scientist. It's impressive that a scientist is so good with words and can talk to readers in a cohesive, humorous, and intelligent way. Since I couldn't find anything negative, the final score is self-evident: 5 out of 5 stars.

Sci-fi/fantasy lovers tend to enjoy this work. Although this genre may be difficult for some people, we are talking about a book that could be set in the modern world and not about reptiles in space or similar books. There is scientific content that is explained in a way that even a layperson could understand, and the reader is left wondering to what extent it is fiction or reality. Even though enthusiasts of this genre are the ideal target audience, I do not recommend the book to anyone under 18 because there are many swear words.

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Genes of the Past
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Oreoluwa Johnson · Post by **Oreoluwa Johnson** » 04 Nov 2024, 07:34

I recently finished reading it and I was captivated by the Author's unique blend of fantasy and self discovery.
Elian discovers ancient ancestry holsd secrets to his magical genes and Lyra the skilled archaeologist and kael the mysterious warrior , it makes me curious about how the next chapter would be like.
The protagonist journey was relatable and compelling and I appreciated the Author's thoughtful exploration of complex themes
I love it!!!!!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 09 Nov 2024, 07:31

I could do without the food, as I'm not exactly a chef. Otherwise, this seems like an intriguing novel that uses a science fiction idea to develop a story that addresses some important themes. Thank you for your great review!

Mary John 10 · Post by **Mary John 10** » 15 Nov 2024, 12:56

Genes of the Past by Christer Jansson is a captivating sci-fi/fantasy novel that delves into the discovery of a hominin fossil in the 1960s. This fossil contains mysterious proteins, leading a scientist to propose that ancient humans may have had a unique form of communication, which could be considered a superpower today. The story follows the brilliant scientist "Symphony" as she seeks the truth, unveiling surprising and thought-provoking scenarios about how such a power could be commercialized in the modern world.

Naimah Agboluaje · Post by **Naimah Agboluaje** » 25 Dec 2024, 08:57

Review: Based on the review of "Genes of the Past" by Christer Jansson, it appears to be a highly intriguing and thought-provoking book. The plot of discovering mysterious proteins in a hominin fossil brings forth exciting possibilities and raises questions about the future of human engineering. The author's intelligent and humorous writing style keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. While the excessive descriptions of food might be a slight concern, the author's wit makes it entertaining rather than bothersome. Overall, this book seems like a great read for sci-fi/fantasy enthusiasts who appreciate well-crafted storytelling. I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars, as it successfully entertains and stimulates critical thinking. Emotional resonance, touched my heart deeply.

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda · 11 Jan 2025, 08:04

One aspect that I thought could be problematic is the excessive description of food. The author makes it clear more than 10 times in the book how much he likes scones and even gives cheesecakes a score on a scale from 1 to 10. The repeated descriptions of food could be a problem, but the truth is that the author is so funny that he makes you laugh at these passages and the conversations he has with the dogs. Therefore, I didn't find anything negative to mention about this book. Besides, the book's editing is flawless, and I couldn't find a single grammatical error.

I love "serious" books that have a funny and endearing side to them.

I don't need to repeat that I enjoyed Genes of the Past, right?

No, but it always brings a smile to my face to read such an enthusiastic review.

What an interesting approach to sci-fi! With the rise of at-home genetic testing, the hacking that ensued, and the huge developments in this area, it's surprising we don't have that many books exploring this topic beyond cloning, but I'm glad this one's out.
Thank you for your review.

Post by **Rebecca De Figueiredo** » 11 Jan 2025, 08:19

I enjoyed reading the review of this book. The reviewer had a solid and intelligent understanding of this book, and so it was easy to gain a real sense of the novel’s tone and story. It seems to be an in depth book with an international feel.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 11 Jan 2025, 08:35

"Genes of the Past" by Christer Jansson is a gripping sci-fi tale where a 1960s fossil discovery reveals a mysterious 'superpower' tied to human evolution. As the story unfolds, it explores the ethical and chaotic possibilities of human engineering. A must-read for sci-fi fans intrigued by science and morality. Congratulations on being BOTD!

Yasmeen Holland · Post by **Yasmeen Holland** » 11 Jan 2025, 08:38

I love it . Keep it up . I never was into books until now. I’m a keep on reading all the books and stay tuned in.

Post by **Fanisa Ndhabambi** » 11 Jan 2025, 08:39

Genes of the Past by Christer Jansson is a Sci-Fi/Fantasy a well-preserved hominin fossil discovered in the Moroccan desert. Examination of the fossil found the olfactory receptors but distinctly different from known receptors. Why did humans 550,000 years ago have these receptors? Great Read for inquiring minds.

Post by **Alida Spies** » 11 Jan 2025, 08:41

I am fascinated by the comment that the book leaves the reader wondering if the author knows something happening in the modern world that we do not. A discovery that leads to a hypothesis that men in the distant past had a different form of communication sounds equally alluring. I'm sure there are dangers that we can't even imagine associated with human engineering and, of course, possibilities. Thank you for your informative review.

Post by **Bertha Jackson** » 11 Jan 2025, 08:47

Sci-fi enthusiasts will enjoy this book about superpowers. Thank you for your informative review.

Mia Smith 7 · Post by **Mia Smith 7** » 11 Jan 2025, 09:26

The theme of humans creating technology that has unforseen consequences for our race is unfortunately poignant in today's world.

Devesh Patel · Post by **Devesh Patel** » 11 Jan 2025, 09:55

This review perfectly captures the essence of "Genes of the Past" with its praise for the book's thought-provoking themes, entertaining narrative, and clever blend of science and fiction. It highlights the author's talent for making complex concepts accessible while maintaining humor and intrigue. The critique of food descriptions is charmingly balanced by their humor.

Post by **Seetha E** » 11 Jan 2025, 10:03

The author presents a captivating sci-fi plot around the themes of human engineering and acts of "well-intentioned" humans. Coming from a retired scientist, the narrative is intriguing, to say the least, especially with your comments regarding possibilities in the modern world. You have presented an amazing synopsis.