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GERMLINE is Nelson Erlick's first novel. The scientific community has almost achieved the ability/ knowledge to correct genetic deformities in fetuses without removing them from the womb. Dr. Kevin Kincaid is the top researcher in this field. Kevin has not had an ideal life; his wife and two children were murdered when he was still a resident and he has not overcome their lose. Now as he is about to release the news regarding the success of his experiments, he meets a woman who looks frighteningly similar to his wife; in fact, they even have the same name. This Helen is actually a terrorist hoping to stop Kevin from releasing his research. She has proof that someone is using Kevin's past experiments, those he thought he destroyed, on children. She also has proof that the very people funding Kevin's research ran these experiments, and that the government is both aware of them and has not stopped them. Helen must convince Kevin to help her before he too is killed by one of the agencies interested in his research. GERMLINE is a thriller in the tradition of Crichton and Preston & Childs. Erlick uses genetic engineering to the explore the prejudices and bias of modern society regarding those less fortunate or "special." GERMLINE is a combination of an X-Files’ government conspiracy plot and a frightening BRAVE NEW WORLD. (It was extremely annoying to have A BRAVE NEW WORLD mentioned numerous times. This reference was used as an easy way to explain people's feelings; hence, it lost any power it could have projected. It would have been much more powerful to vary explanations rather than rely on pure repetition.) Erlick loses the flow of the story about halfway through the text. The end of the book feels rushed and the writing is sacrificed in pursuit of action. The science behind this thriller was extremely interesting and necessary; however, it felt ponderous at time. The focus on science throughout the book, made the focus on action that occurred in the last 100 pages much more obvious. GERMLINE is an obvious first novel. Erlick has reached the point in his career where he needs to decide what is more important to him as a writer; the telling of a good story or that genetic engineering/ science is presented to a reading audience. If he wants a combination of the two, he must sacrifice some of the "thriller" elements of the text and pace the action throughout the story. He might also want to provide less scientific information so the book does not feel like a science textbook/ B movie hallucination. This information is important to have; however, for the general reading audience, a lot of it goes over their heads. GERMLINE is an interesting and informative look at the role genetic engineering could have on pregnancy and as a weapon. If looking for a book with a strong science background, then this is a book to read. When the thriller elements and stereotypical B movie elements are ignored this book can be enjoyable.
Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, February 2003
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