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When Fiction Becoms Reality...
Monday, December 07, 2009
Altar of Eden is about to hit stores--sadly not until the Tuesday AFTER Christmas (December 29th). But for anyone looking for something extra to stuff a stocking, it is currently available for preorders.
In the meantime, I thought I’d share one story behind the creation of this latest book. As I’m sure you all know, many of my books have explored various biological concepts. And Altar of Eden is no exception.
In this book, I delve into a condition called atavism, where genetic traits thought lost to a species reappear in an individual. Such as the birth of a whale with hind legs, a foal born with extra toes, a chicken born with teeth. This phenomenon has always fascinated me, hinting that a shadow of our evolutionary past remains locked in our genetic code.
So with Altar of Eden, I got a chance to explore the science behind such “genetic throwbacks,” to posit what might happen if a group of scientists found a way to harness this genetic potential, to literally turn back the evolutionary clock in certain species. What horrors might arise?
By the way, one of the creatures featured in this story is a python born with reptilian limbs, a throwback to a time before snakes lost their legs. I thought I was making this creature up for this book, a pure fanciful construct--until a few months after creating this beast on the page, I was sent an article about a Chinese snake born with a fully functional reptilian limb poking out of its flank. Click here to link to that article (it also includes a picture of the snake!).
I love when such things happen, when fiction and reality blur so perfectly. It allows me to push the boundaries even further. What if these same scientists began experimenting with humans? What might result? Where is the line drawn between who we are now and who we were in the past?
In this latest book, I got a chance to explore those questions--and create a whole bestiary of weird creatures! I hope you enjoy the result.
Okay, enough about the upcoming release. What b ooks and movies have been occupying my free time?
At the theaters, I watched a pair of end-of-the-world movies: 2012 and The Road. I enjoyed both movies for very different reasons. 2012 was a fantastic popcorn movie, with amazing effects, and nonstop thrills--but the story was somewhat lacking. The Road was a smaller, quieter movie—but the acting and its realistic take on an apocalyptic world left a disturbing chill over me that is still hard to shake. That said, I did read Cormac McCarthy’s book upon which that movie was based. The book was also phenomenal. I read it one sitting on a cross-country plane ride.
And speaking of books, I’m just about finished Catching Fire (the sequel to last year’s The Hunger Games). If you’ve not read these books, you really should. The books are young-adult, but they are not your ordinary kid’s book. The gist of these stories is a dystopian world where children are put into an arena where they must fight to the death. The books are wonderfully written with a main character that I’d follow to the ends of the world and beyond.
Okay, I’ll have to cut this short. Still have some Christmas shopping to do.
Jim
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Comments
Name: Geek in Heels Date: 2009-12-07
Thank you for the update — I've been looking forward to Altar of Eden ever since it was announced and I love reading your thoughts, sneak peaks, and side notes regarding the book! I'm fully looking forward to December 29 and will be at the bookstore that morning to pick up a copy. P.S. — Any chance you'll be stopping by NY for your Alter of Eden book tour?
Name: Beverly Date: 2009-12-08
I too am looking forward to picking up your newest book. I digested your last one in 2 days. Right now I am reading Ice Hunt and Escavation. Two I didn't have in my collection and found at a used book store.
Name: Jenny Hart Date: 2009-12-08
im sorry but I need more sigma........ its like a drug... :) of course i'll read and love this new book. Just need more Sigma.. PLEASE
Name: questingspirit Date: 2009-12-10
Admittedly it's the Sigma series I'm crazy about, but the preview and the intriguing premise have grabbed my interest. That bit about the legged snake also made me consider how much of our Biblical stories as well as other global myths are actually grounded in reality. I'll pre-order via our local bookstore. Can't wait to start the year with your new book in hand.
Name: minal Date: 2009-12-10
cool reading about the "genetic throwbacks" it reminded me of Amazonia.
Name: Donna Calvert Date: 2009-12-11
Can't wait for Altar of Eden. Like you, I loved Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Another young-adult series that you might like (if you haven't already read them) is The Missing Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Book 1: Found. Book 2:Sent. Both are really great.
Name: Kate Lyons Date: 2009-12-14
Looking forward to your new book and many thanks for the story behind the book. Any chance your book will be availbe for the Kindle? Hunger Games is a great book. It is one of 20 books nominated for the Georgia Peach Teen Award.
Name: Monifa Date: 2009-12-15
Looking forward to another great book!
Name: Sally McDade Date: 2009-12-15
I'm really looking forward to your new book. I started with Map of Bones & Black Order. Loved the "What If?" factor so hunted down your other books & devoured them, also. I also enjoyed the tie-ins you, Steve Berry & Brad Thor did with each other's characters in these last books. It was fun!
Name: DrWeb Date: 2009-12-15
Great anticipation for the new book, got a PDF excerpt today to check it out.. Sigma novel next, summer, can't wait.. thanks for the good stories, I get lost in the worlds you create.. which isn't a bad thing :).. will try the Hunger Games' series, thanx for the tip! -Best holiday wishes, DrWeb
Name: Leslie P. Date: 2009-12-15
Well, you just made my day...another J. Rollins tome to look forward to. I have turned on more people to your exciting books. My latest soon to be conversion is my Uncle; a reknowned, retired Dean of Engineering at a major university. He was involved in so many scientific endeavors; LASER, Sealab, NASA space program.....I know he's going to really enjoy your books. We've had several discussions regarding M state and particle physics thanks to you. And I do mean thanks!
Name: Peggy K. Date: 2009-12-15
I am printing out the first excerpt as I write this. I've had Altar of Eden on my book list since I first heard about it. I love all your books. I do enjoy the biological questions. We do always assume that any throwback in genetics created by man would be something terrible don't we? I am not saying that isn't likely but are there any that might be good/? I suppose that goes back to the point that if nature weeded it out then it wasn't needed and no good could come of bringing it back. You books are always an adventure and the ideas that are floated in them, especially when based in fact, keep you thinking about it all long after the book is finished. Thank you. I love stories that not only entertain but expand your mind, that make you think.
Name: John Moore Date: 2009-12-15
We have read every work you have written in adult fiction. My wife wanted to skin you when Monk went missing for a year. After the next one, and he lived she was scared to read more till I told her he was ok! I took Dec 31 off to go get the book! I thought it came out on the 30th and wanted to give them time to put it out. We think you and Berry could do a masterpiece together. He lives about 30 miles from us. We are on Amelia Island Fl. Don&Teresa Moore
Name: Jacqui Date: 2009-12-16
Can't wait, but sadly for me it's not availavle in the U.K till March.... Worth the wait, I'm sure.
Name: Daph Date: 2009-12-16
I am really looking forward to this book, I enjoy all of your books, though Sigma does hold a special place in my heart, I cannot wait until this summer for the new one. The work you put into researching each book is amazing, they are all extrememly well done. If you ever need a research assistant, let me know. Thank you for what you do.
Name: Sam Date: 2009-12-19
I was fortunate to have discovered your work soon after you were first published, and have been a loyal reader ever since. To have found a writer who never fails to deliver on the realistic characterizations / bone chilling action / historical fact / and cutting edge Science takes me to my happy place! I await your next book like an expectant child on Christmas Morning! Happy writing! Sam
Name: Annette Acuff Date: 2009-12-22
I can not wait for the book to arrive. What a perfect after Christmas present for myself...Thanks so much. I saw the film 2012 and really liked it. It was a lot of fun. Did not see the other, however I did see and LOVED AVATAR. Ususally I dont view a movie twice...but I am going to watch this one several times....Annette
Name: anita d. white Date: 2009-12-07
can't wait to read your new book! congratulations-must be a little like giving birth?