Mendel's Dwarf

A strange but intriguing book, narrated in the first Person by a dwarf. But the book is not a Freak Show, dependent on oddity to succeed. It raises serious ethical issues and has interesting twists in the plot. It helps to be knowledgeable about and interested in genetics, and actually I feel Mawer's Editor would have done him a favor to cut some of the genetics Content, which I do not see as being essential to either the theme or the plot. On the whole, though, it's a good, serious book, well worth reading -- for the thinking Person.

This is a book written from the aspect of Benedict - a dwarf.Descended from Mendel, a geneticist, Benedict's mission in life is to isolate the gene that caused his affiction. He earns a first class degree at Oxford University and becomes an esteemed expert on the subject.The book has it's share of humor and lust, and his relationship with Jean, a mousey librarian, is very enjoyable for the reader. I felt very involved with Ben - up until the end you are usure just how his story will unfold.On the negative side, I skipped a little of the detail from Mendel's experiments, but this didn't distract from a book that discusses the complications and injustice of Acondroplasia, and the determination of Ben that the reader will not pity him, but enjoy his personal battle with the mutation. A very worthwhile read.

I think the novel is unique in the way it presents ongoing scientific research and controversy in the context of well-wrought fiction. The "Double Helix" by Crick and Watson gave the reader a dramatic context for the discovery of DNA, but there was no attempt to create a fictional world. Mawer makes the stakes real for us by creating a real character, the geneticist, Benedict Lambert. Genetic research becomes dramatic, exhilarating and tragic in the fictional context of Ben's ethical dilemma. The geneticist's ability to select which sperm to use raises the ethical issues behind genetic research. Whenever these issues arise in public debate, there is always that latent fear that man will be punished if he attempts to "play god," that we haven't the right to attempt to control our fate with knowledge. The fear is as old as Prometheus. Mawer demonstrates that the fear is based on an illusory power. We never need to worry that our knowledge will overcome the chaos of creation. Our power is always subject to the infinite number of chances that determine the way things are. The ending perfectly coordinates the fictional drama with the real life issues raised by the discoveries Mawer has been revealing all along.

If your a person who doesn't like inclusive endings, don't read this book. It is, none-the-less, brilliantly written and well researched. The author does a most amazing job of describing what it feels like to suffer from achondroplasia; I actually thought, incorrectly, that the author suffered from the condition himself! I was introduced to the work of Gregor Mendel when I was in 9th grade, and at other times throughout college, but never fully appreciated his work until I read this book. Humerous, informative and entertaining read.

Mendel's Dwarf was selected by our book club as more of a default choice than a preferred read. You may image my surprise while reading it to discover that I loved it. Much of the biology went flying over my head (I am not a scientist or mathematician)but will respect the fact that the author is and assume that his facts are accurate. Books that challenge one to think more carefully about various issues are truly worth reading. Mendel's Dwarf does that very well. It can bring to the table matters that most would rather not think about. Genetic selection is here whether we like it or not. It's not common yet but will,I suspect, become so in the relatively near future. Do we practice genetic selection based on the idea of perfecting the human race? On the personal preference of curly hair over straight, blond over dark? Male over female? And if we can have the genetic selection of this gene and chromosome over another what determines our choice? To have a child that looks and probably will think as we do? Do we have free will or is every decision we make determined by our genetic makeup? What part does nurture play (if any) in the formation and development of a child? Is criminal behavior a personal responsibility or the result of an x factor on a specific chromosome? Are all people who are criminals to be held accountable for their actions or forgiven for their biology? Suppose we could gene splice to create a sub-species of human to do specific tasks that we don't want to do because these tasks are difficult or morally conflicted..(i.e. creating soldiers without those pesky morals). I have opinions but no great solutions. I am willing to ask, think about and try to answer questions raised by this book. Keep in mind that the person narrating this book would have himself probably been selected out and not allowed to exist at all which adds another layer of complexity to this tale. I love books that make me think or take me away to places I did not know well before. Read it and decide for yourself if this new world of science is taking us where we want to go or do we have a choice about going in the first place?

I have read this book several times. I had to buy another new copy because I keep giving mine away. While Mawer wasn't a seasoned author when he wrote this, he nevertheless gave readers deep ideas to think about, science to ponder, and emotional depth in all his characters. This is a very good book.

Have not even finished it yet and I love it.....My cousin was dwarf. We dearly loved her and defended her....roughing up kids that stared or made comments and chastising the adults that made asses of themselves and should have known better.She was unable to escape out of a window in a house fire 30 years ago and died when she was 21 years old. We miss her always. Iwould have loved to recommend this book to her.

A terrific narrative that weaves in and out of Mendel's biography. Mawer blends a scientist's knowledge of his subject, a strong narrative skill and a lucid prose style. If you enjoyed 'The Glass Room', 'The Fall' or 'Planting the Seeds of Genetics', this is a very satisfying read.

This is an intriguing novel which almost doesn't feel like a novel it is so realistic. The main character Ben is believable and honest- not always likeable. There is a lot of information about chromosomes and Mendel which was not as engaging as the contemporary story line and the very ending was not particularly authentic although chilling. Hence the four rather than five stars.

I've read most of Simon Mawer's books, but this is not his best. I felt that he was showimg how much he knew about genetics and not fleshing out the story that hangs on to the detailed information. Plus the the spelling on my kindle edition was all ove the place. It couldn't decide to use Ameircan spelling or British English, sometimes spelling the came word both ways, color and colour, for instance. Disapointing.

Ever since I learnt about Gregor Mendel at school I have been fascinated by the elegance of his findings. This book brought Mendel to life as well as bringing a new perspective to more recent studies. Extremely thought provoking in so many ways. My only criticism is that in the Kindle version I could not find a way to enlarge the 'diagrams' which were quite hard to read.

This book follows a sensitive story following the protagonist and his search for a genetic code. It is obviously extremely well researched and informative. Some parts of it - the science of hereditary factors and genetics sometimes went over my head (I studied A-Level Biology a long time ago), but this does not effect the enjoyment of the story.I haven't finished it yet - but it is an engaging read and look forward to discovering the outcome.