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Bios
by Robert Charles Wilson
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Tor Science Fiction (2000-11-15)
ISBN: 0812575741
EAN: 9780812575743
Dewy Decimal #: 813.54
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Edition: 1st
SKU: GD101453s
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: Exactly as shown, Ex Library copy with usual stamps and stickers. Book is bound strong, has little wear and text is clean and unmarked.
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Editorial Reviews
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Amazon.com
In the 22nd century, humanity discovers life on an extrasolar planet, Isis: life that is lush, beautiful--and deadly. The least molecule of Isian biology kills humans painfully and horribly. Zoe Fisher has been born and bred--cloned and genetically engineered--to explore Isis. But Isis has secrets undiscovered by humanity, and Zoe herself contains secrets known only to the political powers that created her. And an act of biomedical sabotage has changed Zoe in unknown ways. Robert Charles Wilson is the author of Science Fiction Chronicle's Best SF Novel of 1998, bestselling Darwinia, also the Aurora Award winner and Nebula and Hugo Award finalist. With Bios, Wilson has created a hard-SF novel rich in great ideas, strong writing, and the classic sense of wonder, a work that stays true to the implications of its frightful biology. --Cynthia Ward
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Product Description
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: a parallel biology with lessons to teach us about our own nature. It's also the hardest of hardship posts, the loneliest place in the universe.Zoe Fisher was born to explore Isis. Literally. Cloned and genetically engineered by a faction within the hothouse politics of Earth, Zoe is optimized to face Isis's terrors. Now at last Zoe has arrived on Isis. But there are secrets implanted within her that not even she suspects--and the planet itself has secrets that will change our understanding of life in the universe.Bursting with ideas, replete with human insight, Bios is science fiction in the grand tradition: a novel of bravery, exploration, and discovery in a universe charged with awe.
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Customer Reviews
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Despite it's flaws, still an engaging read
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-01-26
I can't disagree with some reviewers who said it felt unfinished or somehow lacking. It did, but it's only slightly longer than 200 pages, so while if I'd read a 600 page book and felt that way, that would be more of a problem.
Overall, I think Wilson had a story in mind, and largely he told it and told it well, as he always does.
If your new to Wilson, this might not be the best book of his to start with. I've read about half of his books so far and Spin is by far my favorite so far.
Still, I enjoyed this book and definately recommend it to anyone that's already read his other books and liked them.
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An alternate explanation for why all SETI queries are unanswered
Rating (4)
Date: 2007-09-19
Isis is a planet with a very dynamic biosphere, uniformly deadly to humans. The native microbes are very aggressive and adaptable and any human who comes in contact with any of them is rapidly consumed into a pile of black goo. Despite all of this humans have established a series of research colonies on the planet in an attempt to understand how that biosphere functions. For reasons that no one understands, the life on Isis is also based on DNA, which is why the native microbes can thrive in a human host.
Zoe Fisher is sent to Isis to test out a new isolation suit that will allow here to explore the surface without being encased in layers of hermetically sealed armor. Unknown to her, she was one of several cloned twin sisters with augmented, yet differing immune systems. They were placed in a brothel staffed by orphans and frequented by poor diseased men. One by one her sisters die, but Zoe's immune system proves capable of defeating all of the diseases.
After passing this test, her "benefactor" "rescues" her and ships her to Isis. Once there, things start to break down. It is as if the planet itself is out to kill all of the humans, the microbes have adapted to the point that they can defeat even the most effective of seals. Several people die as their bio-shields are systematically compromised. At the end, all is revealed to Zoe. She learns the true state of the universe and the relationships between the bio-sphere of Earth to that of the rest of the universe. It turns out that Earth is a special place, but not necessarily in the way that human arrogance would lead you to believe.
This is a book full of ideas, although some of them reminded me of "The Deathworld Trilogy" by Harry Harrison. The conclusion is indeed a unique one, as the true nature of the universe bears some resemblance to the Gaia hypothesis, but there are significant and creative differences.
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Not Free SF Reader
Rating (4)
Date: 2007-09-03
A new planet has been discovered. Unfortunately it is immediately
deadly to anyone that comes in contact with even a skerrick of it. It
offers large opportunities for wealth, because there is life there. A
consortium goes to the trouble of breeding a girl who can at least
survive there for a while.
A rather bleak story, as money struggles with ethics, at the cost of a girl's humanity and life.
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A Quick, Enjoyable Read
Rating (4)
Date: 2007-07-29
I enjoyed this book for what it is - a short, interesting, and original story. Some criticize the book for being too light on character development, however I disagree. The setting of the story is the main character and the one that is develped most satisfactorily. Had the book been longer (and handled in a more contemporary fashion by its author) I don't think I would have liked it as much. I do not want to spoil the plot here, but if you enjoy medical/lab/biological science fiction along the lines of The Andromeda Strain, you will very likely enjoy this book about an extraterrestrial contaminant running amok in a futuristic, remote lab setting.
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A real heart wrencher.
Rating  (5)
Date: 2006-08-17
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
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.
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