The Genesis Quest by Donald Moffitt

First published in 1986

Astronomers on a Nar moon receive a transmission that has traveled thirty-seven million light years. The transmission contains the genetic code for human life as well as a repository of human knowledge and culture. Using the genetic information, the Nar brew a batch of humans -- something they probably wouldn't have done had they known what a troublesome species the human race can be. A human culture has been in existence for some time as the main story begins. The novel follows the human Bram from his youth (when he dreams of traveling to Earth, the home of Original Man, an impossibility unless he can overcome the limiting speed of light or achieve immortality) through his young adulthood, when he discovers shocking information in the transmission from Earth that humans have never before seen. Other humans, convinced that the Nar are "keeping them down," plot insurrection.

The Genesis Quest is Donald Moffitt's second novel. Its story is continued in his third novel, Second Genesis. The Genesis Quest avoids many of the flaws in his first novel, The Jupiter Theft: wooden dialog, lengthy science lectures, and unnecessary politics. The political dimension in The Genesis Quest, while rather obviously drawn from isolationist strands of American politics, works well -- and is, in fact, a vital part of the plot. Moffitt's writing style is strong; his dialog is natural. There's plenty of hard science in The Genesis Quest, but it is carefully integrated into the plot and doesn't slow the novel's pace.

Plot dominates over character development. The characters have undistinguished personalities except for those (like the rebel leader) who are stereotypes. Sometimes the characters behave inexplicably -- why Bram doesn't leave the woman who consistently treats him like garbage was a mystery to me -- but that's forgivable, given that real people are also prone to inexplicable behavior. Moffitt's strength, however, lies not in the development of human characters but in the creation of aliens, and in that regard, The Genesis Quest excels. The Nar (who are sort of floral in nature) are indeed alien -- not humans with funny hair like typical television aliens or overgrown lizards like typical movie aliens. Moffitt put some serious thought into Nar physiology and culture.

Moffitt also worked at developing a credible plot, another of the novel's strengths. Although the story might be a bit longer than necessary, it moves at an appropriate pace, picking up speed in the second half as Moffitt delivers some fast action. The ending is satisfying, and sets the scene nicely for the sequel. Ultimately, while The Genesis Quest isn't a perfect novel, it's a fun one that should appeal to fans of hard sf.

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