Story: 9 / 10
Characters: 9
Setting: 8
Prose: 8

Certainly one of the 10 best science-fiction books I've ever read. Will definitely continue the next book in the series shortly. ( )

Well that was such an interesting novella.

It looks at a group of genetically modified youth and how, due to not needing sleep, they are able to far surpass the accomplishments of 'sleepers'. The novella discusses the value of highly productive people and how their genetic advantages are seen as 'unfair' by the masses. The book also explores how much value should be given to those who are unproductive members of society and in constant need of help. After all, "what do we owe the grasping and nonproductive needy?"

I loved the epiphany at the end. I don't think I will go on to read the other installments as I enjoyed where the award winning novella ended. ( )

I've had this on my TBR list for ages, and I'm really glad that I finally sat down with it. Oddly enough, I'm thankful that I hadn't read this when it was first recommended to me because I'm not sure I would have fully been able to absorb the book and it's political, philosophical, and biological intricacies.

Kress envisions a world where genetic modification has reached the point where parents can select specific traits for their unborn children. One of these is sleeplessness. The book follows one of the first Sleepless, Leisha Camden, as she moves through a world where Sleepers resent and hate her, and her continued belief in the necessity of coexistence has caused her to be an outcast among the Sleepless.

Extremely fascinating world building, and the scary thing was I can see the seeds of the world Kress created for the future in our own world today. Despite having been published nearly 20 years ago Beggars in Spain is still very relevant. ( )

Año 2019. Una nueva especie de seres humanos, los Insomnes, disponen de mayor conocimiento y poder. Modificados por la ingeniería genérica para no tener que dormir, los insomnes cuentan con más horas de actividad, no enferman nunca y son más longevos. Sus superdotados descendientes, los Superinsomnes, pueden desarrollar, además, una nueva biotecnología por la que aspiran a dominar el mundo. En el otro extremo de la sociedad se encuentran los Durmientes, cuyo recelo de los Insomnes es notorio, pues dependen de éstos para garantizar su propia supervivencia. En semejante contexto, tres personajes de diferente condición exponen su particular punto de vista sobre un conflicto que se intuye inminente e inevitable.

On its surface this book is a thoughtful examination of possible social and political implications of human genetic manipulation. But I was surprised when the book also addressed deeper questions about family, ambition, romance, and inequality with depth and subtlety. All that while examining the lives and choices of some very compelling and complex characters.

There's a feeling of realism in this book that is rare in Sci-Fi, even near-future stuff. The characters' way of matter-of-factly presenting dramatically amazing technological developments made them seem very attainable, and the way that there was pushback and downsides to every development struck me as more realistic than the typical Sci-Fi attitude of simple acceptance and integration of change.

I kept expecting the story of this book to begin building towards a conclusion and instead new characters and plot lines would rise to prominence as the old ones were resolved. I wasn't ever on the edge of my seat, since the book is focused more on characters than a fast-paced plot, but I was nonetheless continually surprised by the events of the story. The evenness of rising and falling action did make any sections drag if they were focused on characters I disliked, but overall I enjoyed the pace.

I'd recommend this book to anybody interested in a solid non-apocalyptic near-future story. ( )