The God Patent by Ransom Stephens

Review of The God Patent by Ransom Stephens

From time to time, I'll review books in this blog. Here's the first:

The God Patent by Ransom Stephens is a fine book. I cared about the characters, especially the protagonist, Ryan McNear, and his unlikely cohort, 14-year-old Katarina. Most of the supporting characters were intriguing, too. And the little parts I didn't quite believe didn't much matter. It's a satisfying story, well told, and that alone would make the book worth reading. But it's more than that. It's a multilayered work, drawing on Stephens' scientific background, which rather than being intimidating, adds depth. The book delves into big issues of our day (religion versus science, for one) in a compassionate way. And I came away with a new perspective to contemplate on the workings of the soul. This is something I didn't expect, which is pleasing to say the least. (That most of the book's action takes place in Petaluma is a treat for those of us living in the North Bay. I was in downtown Petaluma yesterday and imagined Stephens bringing the characters to life, perhaps as he browsed at Copperfield's on Kentucky Street, stopped for noodles at Cafe Zazzle or skipped stones along the river. )