BIOS

by Robert Charles Wilson

Book Overview

In the 22nd century, humankind has colonized the solar system. Starflight is possible but hugely expensive, so humakind's efforts are focussed on Isis, the one nearby Earthlike world. Isis is verdant, Edenic, rich with complex DNA-based plant and animal life. And every molecule of Isian life is spectacularly toxic to human beings. The entire planet is a permanent Level Four Hot Zone. Despite that, Isis is the most interesting discovery of the millennium:...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812575741
• ISBN13: 9780812575743
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.1" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A real heart wrencher.

This is my favorite story by Robert Charles Wilson by far. Although somewhat short, I will never forget the story. This book has so many unique aspects- a look at alien biology at the microbe level, genetic engineering, an interesting love story- I nearly read it in one sitting and was left wanting more, more, more. (in a good way). I won't give away the ending but throughout I found myself deeply moved.

Underated I think

Beautiful book. Though I understand the quibbles with the character development, this books needs to be taken as more of a meditation on the nature of life. All forms of life and their interconnectedness regardless of the radical differences. I've found Wilson to be quite a spiritual writer and enjoyed this immensely...

Gnostic Fiction

Let me just begin by saying I'm a terrible reviewer. I will never achieve the necessary objectivty to analyze novels I care for. With that said, I'm not sure what the first reviewer is going on about. The characters are touchingly drawn, especially Zoe and Tam. Granted, the dialogue might be described as minimalist, but with no sacrifice in style. In my opinion, his review only underscores that the better part of aesthetics is mostly personal taste.Permit me to gush,I think this novel is brilliant. With Wilson it all comes down to endings. In a few delicate strokes, and on a few pages, he has the artist's ability to paint something geniunely beautiful and moving. What a gorgeous universe he delivers! A wonderful rendering of speculative metaphysics in fiction, to boot. I so enjoyed the motif of life 'descending'(falling?) to earth and becoming corrupted. The earth and humans cut off from LIFE are in a cosmic prison house, so very gnostic and reminiscent of Lurianic Kabbalah.I just wanted to say how grateful I am to have met Robert Charles Wilson at a Borders book signing in Farmington Michigan. It ranks as one of the top ten great conversations of my life.(And if you need anyone to read works in progress mail away!)Sincere thanks to RCW for his work. My life is better for having encountered your stories.

Quality science fiction

One of the rising masters of human oriented science fiction (Gypsies, A Bridge of Years) has now gone into hard science fiction. Although not quite up to the efforts of Greg Bear and Gregory Benford, Robert Charles Wilson is close.This first foray into hard, space oriented themes is well plotted and realised. It tastes like bittersweet chocolate. The themes are fairly straightforward and humanely presented.The only quibble with the book is that it is a bit choppy and underdeveloped. The underlying essence of the book has been done before by the two previous authors, however, Robert Charles Wilson has given it an acrid uniqueness. Overall, an excellent book meriting a four star rating. I've given it five to counter-balance the unmerited one star review.

Wilson is the new rising star of hard SF

Much like it's predecessor Darwinia, Bios is an ambitious combination of hard science fiction and pan-universal spirituality. Wilson writes beautifully; I'm envious. Of particular interest is his treatment of emerging biohazards. Let's hope this book isn't as prophetic as it may seem to be. If you really appreciate literature and science fiction (and especially a combo of the two) you owe it to yourself to read both Bios and Darwinia.