Official Review: The Molecular Slaves by Biju Vasudevan

[rssllue]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Molecular Slaves" by Biju Vasudevan.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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You can't ever trust molecules, they make up everything. This is a variant of a well-known joke that segues very aptly into a review of the philosophical satire The Molecular Slaves. The basic premise that the author, Biju Vasudevan, brings out in this book is that of molecules having actual sentience and exerting control over most every aspect of our lives. These apparently nefarious little guys have been around from the very beginning, pushing and pulling at the very creation itself. They have gone right up through plants, animals, humans, and beyond like minute dictators shaping all to their liking while engineering their heinous designs to come to fruition. In essence, all living things have always been and will continue to be their slaves.

According to the author, the genesis of the book occurred in talks he had with a couple he was staying with while in the United States. This was apparently quite the varied round of discussions that took place during these times to come up with such a premise for this book. They obviously covered a broad spectrum of ideas as the author's delving into myriad angles on the tension between the physical and metaphysical world certainly affirms.

The main thrust of the book really is focused on the seekers (humans) and how mankind has come to make life into what we currently have for a world. This makes sense as the author is part of that group of seekers that the molecules are trying to mess with at every turn. (This is presumably true for any of the readers as well.) The book goes on to discuss how we seekers relate to the rest of creation both within ourselves as well as without. I think the areas where Mr. Vasudevan is at his best is when he discusses the soul and how the molecules are looking to debase it in all of its inhabitants. A few of his insights are definitely worth pondering for a time.

I really liked the initial concept of the book. Just the thought of the very molecules that we are constructed from having some form of literal control over us was enough to get my mind spinning with the possibilities. I have always enjoyed exceptionally done satire in a variety of genres, and this one tackling philosophy looked very promising. And indeed, there were times that the author really was on point with his satire which I found quite clever.

Unfortunately, those amusing instances wound up being way too few and far between for my tastes. The target Mr. Vasudevan was shooting for had many more strikes on the fringes of its surface than did the region around the bullseye. This left me feeling somewhat down throughout reading the book. Usually satire doesn't often leave me with a general sense of glumness.

Another thing that I did not like about the book was the overall writing style of the author. At times it became a slog to get through the overly wordy sentences that often just seemed ready to explode out of their casings like an overheated bratwurst. The word and was used many, many times throughout the text to where if all the instances of their showing up were converted into ampersands, they would literally litter the landscape of many of the pages in the book. An example:

And their capacity and appetite for destruction and annihilation is far more superior and consummate than anything that the “Molecules” and their “Process of Evolution” could ever conjure up or attain.

The overuse was quite distracting, especially throughout the first half of the book.

The book also had some coarse language in spots that popped up seemingly out of place for the topic or the points trying to be made. There were also some spelling/grammar errors that were sprinkled throughout the book.

Overall, I have to give this book a rating of 2 out of 4 stars. I could not rate it any higher because of the overall writing style and lack of consistently effective satire as mentioned above. I just never was able to really get into the flow of the book because of it. If you enjoy all things satire or like to delve deep into philosophy, then maybe this book would be one you can glean something out of for yourself.

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The Molecular Slaves
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[kandscreeley]

I always enjoy your reviews (and they seem so few and far between these days). It's an interesting concept, to be sure, but the wordiness of the book would irk me. Even if the writing style was better, I do wonder if it would be too philosophical for me. Thanks so much for your review.

[Alice Heritage]

Philosophical books are always interesting but yes, great point: satire does need to be uplifting, somehow.

[rssllue]

I always enjoy your reviews (and they seem so few and far between these days). It's an interesting concept, to be sure, but the wordiness of the book would irk me. Even if the writing style was better, I do wonder if it would be too philosophical for me. Thanks so much for your review.

Thank you very much for your feedback on the review and the kind words as well! They are most appreciated!

[LinaMueller]

Exceptionally well done. I was interested in reading this book, but after reading your review, I will pass this one. Thanks for your good work.

[Nisha Ward]

This is such a good concept that it's a shame that it wasn't executed better. Makes me wonder what it would look like if they author took your advice into consideration. Also, I love your bratwurst metaphor. Truly an effective image, that one.

[rssllue]

Philosophical books are always interesting but yes, great point: satire does need to be uplifting, somehow.

Thank you very much for your feedback on the review! It is much appreciated!

[Manang Muyang]

From one molecular slave to another: Thanks and kudos for this hugely entertaining and terribly witty piece that dissects and parses this unusual and unique book and story. And the evil and merciless molecules command and direct you to write more.

P.S. That wurst is such a brat!

[rssllue]

Exceptionally well done. I was interested in reading this book, but after reading your review, I will pass this one. Thanks for your good work.

Thank you very much for the kind words. I can only say that I call em as I see em!

[Gabriel Merêncio]

It sounds like the sort of metaphysical nonsense I used to write about during particularly delusional episodes of insomnia. I'm afraid I just have to check this one out, if only to satisfy my morbid curiosity, but I'll bear your points in mind. Thanks for the great review!

[Jaco Du Plooy]

It looks like a very catching title. I wondered about your 2 out of 4 rating. After reading your review I will mot attempt to read it. Thank you for the review.