Polliwog Paperback – 24 May 2023

Polliwog has left me with a lot to think about. Steven Ing addresses complex issues in a fascinating way. Politics, religion and those who exert control over an individual’s self-determination is examined through a lens I’ve never seen explored. Not all cultures and belief-systems have the same POV (shocker!) and this is an important message to be heard during a time where bodily autonomy is under the microscope. The inclusion of shamanism from the Peruvian jungle in contrast with the western culture conveys an undercurrent that we should all remember: empathy is everything. It is a well-written, enjoyable read. Absolutely a fresh take on issues that will, no doubt, be continually pondered for years to come. A unique and very interesting novel.

I'm being very careful not to spoil any of the key ideas with this review. =)Pros:-- Characters and Story are well written and make interesting choices.-- Prose has good pacing and reminds me of Jodi Picoult.-- Interesting combination of real-world issues, mysticism, science-fiction, and wishful thinking.-- Has a couple of decent plot-twists.Cons:-- Characters are exceptionally stereotypical, especially in a modern context. Men are mostly immoral and evil; religion is only about control; Women have nearly no flaws and what flaws they have can be blamed on men.-- Yet another story of female empowerment in an era filled with it.-- Protagonist's sole motivation isn't a positive one; his mission is one of revenge, and his revenge is quite horrifying in its scope and context; the results of his actions would have dire consequences for the human species.Bottom Line: Should you read it?If Jodi Picoult's style of putting forward a premise, emphasizing its human-ness and emotional narrative, and seeing the story to a decent conclusion while allowing the reader's mind to intellectually play around with the central conflict is your bag of tea, then this book will be a good read. If escapism is your goal when reading a book, I would give it a pass.For someone else who has already read the book, I could discuss in greater detail my likes and dislikes of this story and ideas, and there are many of both. I find the central premise to be quite anti-human, an approach to a central human problem that would lead unquestionably to a nightmarish dystopia and human species extinction. At its core, the question is whether or not humanity is a net positive or negative on the Earth, and what can be done to alleviate those concerns. It is here that Dr. Ing's personal biases shine through and while I personally vehemently disagree with his conclusions, it cannot be denied that they are expressed well. I give the book high marks because I was not bored while reading it, and though it was not usually what I like to read, did evoke visceral emotion and deep contemplation.

I am not a reader…at least I thought I wasn’t until I read Polliwog. I found myself so intrigued I had a difficult time putting the book down. I am now an avid reader because of this book. I had no idea how much I was missing. Thank you for helping me find my bookworm side 😊

I liked everything about this book. The authors ability to merge sexuality and spirituality into a entertaining and compelling story is awesome. I'm ready for the sequel or the movie :)