[.ca] Sims (ISBN 0765344637)

Scary peek into the future of genetics:
It is the near future, and there have been amazing advances in genetics research. Through gene therapy, many diseases have been cured. The SimGen Corporation has now created a transgenic species called sims, part chimpanzee and part human, that are used as slave labor. Suddenly a group of sims working as caddies at a golf club want to unionize. They hire lawyer Patrick Sullivan to represent them, and he begins to ponder whether sims are entitled to human rights. He soon meets activist Romy Cadman and a mysterious masked man, simply called Zero, who are on a crusade to destroy SimGen and stop the creation of sims. While the three of them try to protect the sims, they come close to uncovering a sinister secret in SimGen, and the company will stop at nothing to deter them. The reader is treated to a fascinating peek into a possible future for genetics research. This hypothetical forecast is not so far-fetched, however scary and unethical it might be. Transgenic animals, in which human genetic material is inserted into animal DNA, are already being created today for the benefit of humanity. Transgenic cows have been developed, and they have human proteins in their milk, such as insulin, that can be used by the pharmaceutical industry to treat human disease. Pigs with human DNA are being developed with the goal of future use in organ transplants. This novel carries genetic experimentation forward to a next logical step: transgenic primates. Where would such creatures stand in society? Would they be considered people or animals? "Sims" was originally written as a series of novellas, but the story holds together seamlessly as a novel. Although very different from F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack novels, it is an excellent science thriller. At times the story line is a bit formulaic, a la Robin Cook, with an evil corporation twisting medical procedures for its own unspeakable ends and ruthlessly destroying those who stand in its path. But it touches on a fascinating subject, is fast-paced, and is full of edge-of-your-seat suspense. The ending has a surprising twist. I recommend this book not only as a riveting read but also as food for thought on the ethics of genetic manipulation. Eileen Rieback

Offbeat Biotech Thriller Diller:
"Sims" are genetically engineered chimpanzees, with just enough human DNA to walk upright, speak a sort of pidgin English, and perform low-skilled jobs. Plus, they are docile, respect authority, and don't care about money or sex. If such creatures existed, they would be ideal for--well--slavery. And that is exactly what happens in the novel Sims, where all sims are owned by giant corporation SimGen. Of course, this raises all kinds of questions. Who is a human? What rights would sims have in this brave new world? Do they have souls? What if they started asking for things? Like, what if they wanted to start their own labor union, to petition for things like being able to stay together as a "family"? And what if a bright young lawyer, like Patrick Sullivan, impulsively decided to take their case? And what if he got involved with a sexy, aggressive activist like Romy Cadman, and found himself in over his head in a battle for survival? This book has everything. Thought provoking issues, adventure, danger, thrills, a heroine with great legs, a lawyer with a conscience, villains and super-villains. Author F. Paul Wilson is perhaps better known for his Repairman Jack novels, about a man who definitely fixes things, inside or outside the law. He creates great characters, and keeps you turning pages. And he does so in Sims, as well. On the downside, the book has a somewhat slap-dash quality as though it was put together in haste. There are some editorial lapses, too--misplaced words and sentences. Sometimes the plot comes dangerously close to sentimentality. Still, Wilson is a skilled writer, and the book definitely works. I recommend it. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

Great thriller:
I am a huge fan of F. Paul Wilson. Ever since I read the short story collection, Soft and Others and his first Adversary Cycle novel The Keep back in the 1980s, I've kept my eye out for every Wilson novel since. I especially enjoy the Repairman Jack series. So when I saw that Wilson was releasing a set of novellas called Sims, I panicked because each one was $35 each and I knew I couldn't afford to get them all. Imagine my relief when I noticed that they had been combined into one volume. Sims is a science thriller about gene splicing. Scientists, armed with the information that humans and chimps share 98.4% of their DNA, have hybridized the two into a new species, the sim. Sims are used primarily as servants, entirely owned by and leased from SimGen, a conglomerate owned by the two Sinclair brothers--Mercer and Ellis. Lawyer Patrick Sullivan is asked one day by a sim to represent them in a suit to unionize all sims. When he accepts, all hell breaks loose. Who knew sims could think that way, does that make them more human than monkey? Author F. Paul Wilson raises this question in others while keeping the story moving. He is at his best in this type of thriller. And there are lots of interesting characters along for the ride, not least the mysterious Zero who is leading the fight against SimGen. But why? And who is behind Zero, financing his ventures? All the questions are answered in the end. Sims is a wild ride from one of the great modern authors, showing us he is still at the peak of his game. I can't wait for the next F. Paul Wilson thriller.

Get in touch with your inner chimp!:
Don't worry, I'll just cut to the chase and not bore you with "in 2000 I read my first book from this author, blah-blah..." This book is simply fantastic. Read on. Maybe you've read the synopsis somewhere, maybe online, maybe on the inside cover of the book; for those who came in late...here it is again: It is sometime in the future (F. Paul Wilson doesn't even waste time saying "in the not-too-distant-future" or "in the year 20--", so don't worry), and mankind has tampered with nature to suit his needs yet again. There are proto-human creatures called sims that have been created for the work force. Two brothers, Mercer and Ellis Sinclair, after raising tons of money from creating genetically altered domestic cats (so they don't give off dander), have created--and are the owners of--the sims. Sims mostly appear human, but have flatter noses, larger ears, and other easily distinguishable features. They were created from chimpanzees that had their DNA altered so as to become taller, stronger, and more capable of intelligence--yet not enough to become another species of human; this way, the Sinclairs can officially sell the sims to the work force as if they were a PRODUCT, as opposed to an ORGANISM. And it shows--every sim has a barcode tattooed on the back of their neck. Does this seem at all cruel to you? Well, it certainly does to a few people in here, especially to one of the main characters, Patrick Sullivan, a lawyer who runs into an aging sim in the men's room at a golf course...and makes the decision that changes his life forever...but to give away much more than this would be to spoil the wonders of this gem of a book. A combination of work, reading other books, and going to a writer's convention where I met F. Paul Wilson himself, made for a bumpy ride reading the book--it took me almost two MONTHS to finish it--so my opinion may be a little biased; however, I think it is safe to say that this is a quick read, and I can say without hesitation that it certainly is a great one. Superb characters, good description (without overdoing it, though!), plenty of humor, some scares, some tears, so many good things...just like everything that F. Paul Wilson has written. Now order a copy and read, and in Wilson's words that he inscribed in the front cover of my own copy, "Get in touch with your inner chimp!"

Compelling and current:
Patrick Sullivan is a lawyer, not an activist. If the country club managers hadn't been so rude and so contemptuous, he would have walked away from the sims seeking a union. In a moment of pique, however, he took on the clients and the case--and set himself up for a world of trouble. SimGen has become one of the largest corporations in America largely on the strength of one 'product.' A genetically altered species of chimpanzee, with human genes spliced in--the sim. Thanks to hardworking sims (engineered to work without complaining, without pay, and without weekends and holidays), the U.S. is able to compete with low-wage countries again, able to spare its 'humans' from the worst jobs, and able to enjoy an economic boom. When Patrick files his lawsuit, SimGen turns its legal and extra-legal weapons directly on him--because sims are property, and property cannot unionize, cannot petition the government, and certainly cannot be considered 'people' in any sense--not if SimGen is to stay in business. Worse, SimGen has powerful backers--backers that frighten even the corporation's founders. They don't like Patrick much either. Fortunately, Patrick finds a few allies--in an organization that is trying to eliminate the entire sim industry. But allies like that can get him killed too. Author F. Paul Wilson has created a powerful and exciting story out of current headlines. In scientific circles, there is currently a debate about whether chimpanzees should be reclassified as part of genus homo--as part of the human family. They are, in fact, more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas. DNA research is inserting genes from one species into another--to produce insect resistant crops and specialty animals for medical research. Science could allow development of something like the sims, and allow it relatively soon. Wilson's fears about the government backing down to financial pressures and of secret government funding of projects is also based on current trends--the C.I.A. has even created a venture capital fund to promote research into areas of its interest. Wilson didn't even get into the heart of the problems of government agencies who have their own funding and no need to go to Congress for funding and authorization. Wilson's strong writing propells the story forward. Although many of the plot twists are predictable, they are, nevertheless, enjoyable and satisfying. SIMS is hard to put down. I read it in a single sitting.