Published: June 11, 2010
Words: 68,426 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465994226

Description

Dr. Ivan Vogler has found a way to save a dying species of chimpanzee. But at what cost to humans? As scientists and politicians scramble to protect the world from the new threat he has created, one child becomes the target of public outrage. Olivia Barnes is thrust into a firestorm of hate, fear and violence at the tender age of fourteen. To survive, she must prove to the world that she is human.

Tags

medical, science, evolution, human, rights, quarantine, dna, hybrid, laws, speculative, ivf, cells, animal rights, chimera, genes, bonobo

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Reviews

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Review by: Rebecca Weinstein on July 08, 2011 :
Olivia Barnes, a fourteen-year-old girl, is at the center of a heated controversy. She is a chimera-part human and part Bonobo chimp-but in order to live and have freedom, her caretaker must prove to the world that she is human. I was very intrigued by this novel's premise, and was not surprised to find that it was an enjoyable read. In fact, I could not put it down. I instantly made a connection not only with the main character, Safia, but also Olivia, the girl she will do anything to protect. Esposito sets up the story very well with her in depth background knowledge of DNA and chimeras, but she does it in such a way that the information is seamless with the story. In addition, the story has incredible twists and turns, and so much emotion poured into it. There were many emotional moments that I teared with empathy.

The only point flaw with this story is the author's treatment of Olivia herself. She is described as a fourteen-year-old girl, with the mental capacity of a seven-year-old. There is no real description of the character. At different points in the story, there are instances where Safia interacts with Olivia but these interactions are difficult for me to swallow. The reason being, is that Safia kneels down to her level, helps her into a chair, and even picks her up and carries her at one point. I'm sorry, but I have a thirteen-year-old daughter, and there's no way I could carry her, she doesn't need help getting into chairs, and if I knelt, I'd be looking into her waist, not her eyes.

My difficulty with accepting these few interactions aside, the story was excellent and very well written. It was quite enjoyable, and the story was wrapped up nicely. I look forward to more work from this author.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Rcaman on Sep. 06, 2010 :
I found this book to be exquisitely well written and, at times, mesmerizing. The author has a unique method of raising a moral and ethical conundrum while at the same time making the characters in the story seem real, authentic, even next door. Her grasp of the science and the reality of life are rhythmatically set to paper in a well thought out and accurate portrayal of human emotion and real life. It has been a long time since a writer has been able to capture my interest and keep me wanting to actually finish a book. This is a really good read.

An intellectual mind would certainly grasp the science as well as the ethical situation this story promotes. I can appreciate the writers own emotions as the end makes this story really pop.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Carol Shriner on Sep. 05, 2010 :
"Strange New Feet" is like watching a Hitchcock movie with a Sci-fi twist. Safia's gift of seeing the changes in the human body seams natural in the evolution of man. The genetic engineering that took place to produce Olivia plays well as realization takes hold. Safia knows that not everyone excepts her gift without saying. What will happen to Olivia when the world finds out she is more than just Human?
We are lead through an emotional journey of suspense as the faith, life and freedom of what we accept as human is endangered.
Hitchcock would be pleased at this down to earth sci-fi roller coaster, as it was original and engaging.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Jen Brubacher on Sep. 05, 2010 : (no rating)
Safia Raine has a gift: she can see right into the human body and evaluate what's wrong. When a 14 year old girl comes into her hospital, Safia diagnoses a tumour. But that isn't the only thing she finds. Then come revelations that shake not just the scientific community but the whole world, and test humanity's compassion, and the very definition of "human."

The great title and interesting premise drew me to this book, but it was the clear writing and honest development of the ideas that kept me reading. This is "science fiction with heart" at its best. Consequences are explored to every scientific and moral conclusion. The resolution is both realistic and satisfying.

One character, Anders Grey, just about ruined things for me. He was too perfect for the otherwise honest book, and his effect on Safia was antagonizing. But the fascinating ideas and questions each action raised were more than enough to keep me interested. I'm also very interested in whatever else the author writes.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: P.A. Woodburn on Sep. 01, 2010 :
Strange New Feet by Sharon Esposito is a science fiction, mystery/thriller deserving attention. The novel is told mainly from the perspective of Safia Raine who is gifted with the ability to delve into patient's condition using a special meditation technique.

When Safia encounters Olivia, a teen with two different coloured eyes, she suspects there is something strange about the child, apart from a brain tumour. She requests repeated DNA testing.

The scene then switches to an exhibit of transgenic art. Safia has been enlisted by her mother to extriciate her sister Kat from an animal rights demonstration before it becomes dangerous.

The story goes on to reveal that Olivia is a chimera--part bonobo and part human.

A media frenzy errupts, and some very bad things happen to Olivia. Safia and Anders Grey try to protect Olivia. After a while Anders disappears almost as if he has given up. Safia feels an attraction to Anders, but he has a reputation in animal rights circles and may have used violence against whaling ships. Safia always treats Olivia as a normal, human child, and feels a deep love for the little girl.

The novel has a good amount of conflict and tension with a couple of surprises at the end. The novel left me thinking this could happen. This may have happened already. Ms. Espositio does not overwhelm us with scientific jargon, but gives sufficient information to make the story credible. I left the story pondering scientist's ability to tinker with genetics.

Although this is a serious subject, author Shannon Espositio handles it lightly for the most part. She gives skilled movie like descriptions of all the various settings in the book. Each scene blends smoothly into the next.

I give Ms. Exposition five stars for this tale, and look forward to her next novel.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Jill LaCorte on July 28, 2010 :
Strange New Feet, “What a strange title” I thought as I began to read this science fiction book. I am a slow reader who requires the author to write in such a way that must quickly grasp my attention or I put it down never to return. This was not the case as this author soon had me finding excuses to sit down and read more.
When I read of “Safia” the young women with a gift for detecting illness in the human body, my emotions caught up with me. Tears, laughter, anger, tenderness and love will be just some of the feelings poured into your conscience while reading this unbelievable story. Twice I decided what the ending of the book would be and twice I was wrong. This author has a talent for sucking you into the story with such intensity that you soon are one of its characters. First one character and then another. Each person or thing you find yourself attached to will bring up emotions you didn’t realize you possessed. You will find that the book you began reading as science fiction, has now turned into something much more complex! Something you will not necessarily want to bring to the forefront. Emotions we all must face before we move on.
After reading Strange New Feet, you will have to face what we all must face. Does God create junk? Who has the right to judge who should live or not live in our commune? Should we allow fear of the unknown to determine who lives or who dies? Can love conquer those fears?
The author of Strange New Feet has obviously studied the science of genetics as she expresses all the oddities of the human body. But even more, she touches the heart and soul of our complex behavior. As for myself, I will never again look at a human being in the same way.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: lisa on July 24, 2010 :
Strange New Feet will trample through your heart and mind, captivating you with real-life accounts of genetic experimentation, sprinkled with a dash of the author's amazing speculative fiction, and wringing emotions from you ranging from pain, sorrow, elation, and everything in between.  
Except for Safia, who possesses a powerful innate ability, the characters are ordinary, yet very like-able people who are thrust into chaos and feel the heat of the world's hate for them.  This is difficult to bear because the reader is aware that these characters are complete innocents, and had nothing to do with, nor any control over the circumstances that ultimately shape their lives.  (Okay, so there is one other character in addition to Safia who isn't "ordinary" per se,  but she doesn't know it, and neither will the reader at first.)  
As if the ride on the emotional roller coaster weren't enough, the author also forces the reader to question their own beliefs about the world around them, and that may be uncomfortable for some.  Why are humans so dedicated to classifying other living beings? Us vs. them?  Inalienable rights vs. no rights?  What are we afriad of?
Strange New Feet is an adventurous, enlightening thrill-ride, with more plot twists than you can shake a "chimera" at!   (Google it!)
(reviewed long after purchase)

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