Theory of Bastards

By: Audrey Schulman

Narrated by: Rachel Dulude

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

"Stage four. Surgery. Recovering." While those are the simple words that once described Dr. Francine Burk's situation, the reality is much more complex. Her new reality is bacon rinds for breakfast and feeling unduly thrilled by her increasing ability to walk across a room without assistance. And it's being offered a placement at a prestigious research institute where she can put to good use her recent award money. With the Foundation's advanced technological resources and a group of fascinating primates, Francine can begin to verify her subversive scientific discovery, which has challenged the foundations of history - her Theory of Bastards.

Frankie finds that the bonobos she's studying are as complex as the humans she's working alongside. Their personalities are strong and distinct, and reigning over it all is Mama, the commanding, matriarchal leader of the group. Frankie comes to know the bonobos and to further develop her groundbreaking theory with the help of her research partner, a man with a complicated past and perhaps a place in her future. And then something changes everything, and the lines that divide them - between subject and scientist, between colleague and companion - begin to blur.

©2018 Audrey Schulman (P)2018 Tantor

Strong start, but loses momentum

Interesting protagonist and plot, but the last third of the book isn't as strong. Devolves into post apocalypse pining. Oddly, the narrator gets better as the book goes on.

Primates and endometriosis followed by apocalypse

Audrey Schulman’s Theory of Bastards is a bit disjointed. The tale begins with a young woman who has developed an interesting angle to the notion of evolution of courtship behavior. At the same time, she has been struggling with an undiagnosed medical condition that has plagued her since puberty. She is testing her theory at a primate facility. In the second half, an ill-defined catastrophe renders the facility uninhabitable. She and another scientist trek around with their primate subject learning that they are now living in a post-apocalyptic world.

Schulman presents a biased presentation for endometriosis. In addition, her treatment options: hysterectomy or pregnancy leaves out the more common approach which is hormone therapy. While the initial plot was engaging, the post-apocalyptic setting for the remainder of the story was disconnected with the overall plot.

The narration is adequate with reasonable character distinction. Pacing was smooth.