First published 2016
In 1856, a monk in Moravia stumbles upon the idea of a "unit of heredity." This discovery sets off a centuries-long quest to decipher the code of life, colliding with Darwin's theories and the horrors of Nazi eugenics. As the gene transforms biology, it also reshapes our understanding of identity, free will, and the power to engineer our own evolution. Woven through this epic tale is the intimate story of a family's struggle with mental illness, a poignant reminder that genetics profoundly impacts our lives.
Genres: non-fiction, 21st-century, biology, genetics, academic, history-of-science
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-drama, personal-journey
Setting: Calcutta, Delhi
608 pages · Paperback · Scribner
Content warnings: mental-illness