Spares - Michael Marshall Smith

Michael Marshall Smith – Spares Michael Marshall Smith or Michael Marshall, as he is known for his thriller novels, is a science-fiction writer with a difference who I have long admired. I have read many of his books and have had ‘Spares’ in my collection for a while but hadn’t got around to reading it until recently. It was with great enthusiasm that I opened the book to the first page. The Premise Spares is the story of Jack Randall. He’s a burnt-out ex-cop with a recurring drug habit. After five years lying low, working on a spares farm, he is finally faced with a chance of redemption. The ... more

Only Forward was Michael Marshall Smith's superb debut novel and it was with relief that his follow-up, published all those years ago in 1996, managed to match the benchmark of quality set and, dare I write it, exceed the first. It is with no shame that I freely admit to adoring MMS's entire back catalogue, but it is simply because all of his books fire up the imagination, like a dose of Rapt. Rapt, The Gap (not the retail outlet), talking locks, flying MegaMalls, OwnCards, Club Bastard and Bright Eyes are all creations of MMS that you would dearly love to exist, although I have to admit that ... more

Imagine you had loads of dosh, and you happen to have a family. What better insurance could you take out to ensure the health of your child than to clone it ? If there was a spare to use, if, for example you kid was in a car accident and had to have a limb replaced or a kidney or anything else for that matter, the immune system wouldn't reject it if it came from the same chromosomes now would it? But now imagine, if, you were brought up like cattle, fed watered and washed down, just so that you functioned, your whole life dedicated to replaceing another human being piece by piece without ... more

I read this book without any preconceptions, apart from one vague description as 'good, read it' from my father. This was the perfect way to start, as my expectations were relatively low, and was immediately drawn into the story. The story opens with our main character, Jack Randall, making his way with a group of frightened Spares in tow. We are not yet aware of why they are there, nor who he is, though we assume the spares are clones because of the blurb on the back. Very gradually, at times painfully gradually, the story reveals how he has reached this point. The story flashes back to times ... more

The option to choose whether you would read this book again here makes me laugh - I've already read it twice since it was given to me by a friend, and no doubt I'll read it again one day! This book is absolutely incredible, I loved it from the moment I picked it up. It is easy to get into and fast paced with a subtle blend of gritty survival and surealistic violence. There were many times throught the book when adrenalin flooded my system, and reading it definately gave me a buzz. The style of the introduction and ending fit very well with the main bulk of the book, which comprises of a ... more