Nancy Kress

BEGGARS IN SPAIN

a Science Fiction novel

AvoNova / William Morrow (1993) 

CONDITION:   VERY GOOD BOOK with VERY GOOD jacket; a couple of minor bumps, some shelfwear at edges and corners.  No markings.

This HUGO and NEBULA Award-winner explores a future with genetic engineering that creates “Sleepless"—humans, who do not need sleep, leading to intense societal conflict, ethical dilemmas, and the evolution of humanity.

Commentaries on line:

I just love this book. This is a reread for me and this time I noticed that it’s the first book in a series. I’m so excited. I’ve got two more books to read.

It definitely introduced many fine ideas that stuck with me long after I read the last page.

Beggars in Spain is my favorite of the Nancy Kress novels that I've read. It launches from a universal whim that everyone's pondered (I could get so much more done if I didn't have to sleep!) and examines what kind of world would result and the consequences it would have if such genetic modification were available. It's a long and complex book, but it's a very thought-provoking and worthwhile one, too. 

Don't start it unless you're well-rested, it'll keep you up.

The story is at its most interesting when Leisha, an original Sleepless child, interacts her twin sister Alice, a Sleeper. Theirs is a complicated sisterhood, full of misunderstanding, regret, jealousy, love, and more. The novel generally lacks a lot of characterization, however Leisha, Alice, and at the end, Miri, are the most fleshed out, dynamic characters and make the story sing.

Some books hold up to time and to re-reading and others quickly become dated. Beggars in Spain belongs in the first category. 

My first sci-fi of the year and my first 5 star, Beggars in Spain is an absolute gem of a book. For me, this is what sci-fi is about: Taking a great idea, in this case, gene modification, and see how it makes and breaks us humans.

Time to find out how much I love the rest of her work.

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