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I turn now to the three texts that use dystopian themes but are
not technically dystopias. In The Clone Conspiracy, Mercury Man,
and Deconstructing Dylan, the action occurs in what resembles our
own society rather than in a fantastical one created by the author.
Each book features a mystery with genetic engineering at its heart.
Corporations, rather than governments, are the antagonists in Mercury
Man and The Clone Conspiracy, whereas Deconstructing Dylan does
not have a clear antagonist. Their societies are like our own, and the
elements of science fi ction are limited, threatening but not taking over
the world of the protagonist.
The Clone Conspiracy is meant for younger readers
than the other books, and does not delve into the
themes beyond their shock value. The LennoxGen
research facility clones children to “replace” 75
rich and powerful people, whose memories are
downloaded into their clones when they die. Luke and
Emma search for Emma’s missing brother, Patrick, and
fi nd that he has been kidnapped by LennoxGen and is
undergoing the process of having his memory erased,
to be replaced by that of the company’s founder, Rupert
Lennox. Luke and Emma have to infi ltrate the facility
and retrieve Patrick without being caught. Their mission
is complicated when they fi nd out that they, too, are
clones whose “parents” have died, and that they are
therefore in danger of the same procedure.
Luke, and Emma become detectives, and
this is typical of children and young adults in books of
this type. What is valuable in The Clone Conspiracy
is how Luke and Emma solve the mystery of Patrick’s
disappearance. They use a fair bit of deductive
reasoning to reach their conclusions, and their use
of computer technology to fi gure things out would
be intriguing and educational for many children.
Genetic engineering in The Clone Conspiracy is used chiefl y as
a plot device that can give readers a frisson of horror. The characters’
discovery that they are clones does not provoke a rethinking of the self,
and even though this book is geared toward younger readers, some
hint of the feelings one would have at fi nding out one was a clone
would make the book more interesting. When told that he does not
“really have genetic parents,” Luke screams, “You’re a liar!” but at no
point does he consider the ramifi cations of this (57). In fact, he never
refers to it.
Jeunesse: Young People Texts Cultures published at the University of Winnipeg
p. 184 Clones and other formulas in Science Fiction for Young Readers by Elaine Ostry
'When Luke's best friend, Patrick, disappears the day before his
birthday, the police guess that he has either run away from home or committed suicide.
Luke cannot believe either scenario. He does not think that Patrick was
depressed or angry enough to leave home or to kill himself. A few
months later, Luke sees a boy on the streets who looks exactly like
Patrick. As he tries to talk to him, two large men threaten Luke and
warn him that they will kill him if he says anything about seeing
Patrick. Luke does share his discovery with the one person he knows who
will believe his story, Patrick's younger sister Emma. Together Luke
and Emma track down why Patrick was kidnapped and where he is being
held. Unfortunately Luke and Emma's detective work leads them to
Lennoxgen, a giant genetics and infertility company. When they discover
Lennoxgen's big secret, they realize it may be too late to rescue Patrick -- and they now fear for their own lives as well. With
all the news about genetic engineering
currently in the media, this story will appeal to today's young
readers. Although the science of transferring memories to another
person is pretty far fetched, the concept of genetic engineering and
cloning are interesting discussion topics. The action is fast paced and
scary enough to keep readers hanging on to every word. The illustration
on the cover looks like a scene from an old 1950's science fiction movie poster.
Simon Rose has also written The Alchemist's Portrait and The Sorcerer's
Letterbox, both published by Tradewind Books.' Reviewed by Sally J. K.
Davies.
--Reviewed by Children's Literature, August 2006
Imagination's the prize in author's battle By Patrick Blennerhassett. Victoria News, Feb 17 2006
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7
On the night before his birthday, Patrick
disappears. Three months later, his friend Luke sees
him outside the gym where the boys used to take karate
classes together, only now Patrick acts like a
complete stranger, and he has a threatening bodyguard.
Luke figures out that a local drug company called
LennoxGen is somehow involved, and he and Patrick's
sister, Emma, present themselves at the headquarters,
disguised as student reporters. They meet Lisa
MacKenzie from the company's PR department. Luke and
Emily discover that Patrick is the clone of Rupert
Lennox, the company's recently deceased president, and
that his memories are being implanted into Patrick,
using an experimental drug. Moreover, Luke and Emma
are also clones, and (surprise!) their progenitors
just happen to die just as the kids are giving their
information to the police. With Lisa's help, Luke is
able to destroy the corporation and save them all. The
book reads more like the outline of a story then a
finished work-it has a fast-moving plot, superficial
characterizations, wild improbabilities (and even
wilder coincidences), and far too much left
unexplained at the end. And just how old are these
boys supposed to be, anyway? Readers are told that
12-year-old Emma is Patrick's younger sister, but the
cover art makes Luke look like he's about 6. This is a
quick but nonessential read.-- Mara Alpert, Los Angeles
Public Library.
Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of
Reed Elsevier Inc.
CM, Volume XII Number 3, September 30, 2005
Smart kids outwit evil scientists in this mini-science
fiction thriller dealing with clones, implanted
embryos and personality downloads. As long as they
realize this science IS fiction, kids can enjoy the
fast-paced action -- each little chapter a real
cliff-hanger. --September 29, 2005, Top Dozen: Recommended books for kids
by Barbara Julian, Victoria Times Colonist
When Luke's friend and karate practice partner,
Patrick, goes missing, police presume he's run away,
and Luke wanders back to the dark green car he was in
the night before. A few months later, Luke sees
Patrick downtown outside LennoxGen, the headquarters
of a powerful company. Patrick may have recognized
Luke, but soon doesn't at all, and treats his former
friend badly.
Along with Emma, Patrick's younger sister, Luke sets
out to rescue his friend in a tale plagued by dark
green cars and vans, tinted windows, and plenty of
suspicious people all in on the "clone conspiracy" of
the book's title.
Although a quick, fast-paced read, it's disappointing
that Calgary author Rose doesn't fully realize the
story's potential and challenge the reader.
--The Calgary Herald ,
August 20, 2005. Teens deal with life and death
by Kate Larking |