a oeExplain to us why you wish to enter The Academy.a Candidates for The Academy must endure a grueling entrance exam, and young Anaximander has chosen as her special subject the life of Adam Forde, her long-dead hero. She begins by telling Fordea (TM)s story: Late in the twenty-first century the island Republic has managed to survive a devastating worldwide plague by isolating its citizens completely from outside contact. For many years, approaching ships and planes are gunned down, refugees are shot on sight. No one is allowed in or out. The islanders are safe, but not free. Until a man named Adam Forde rescues a girl from the sea... a oeAnaximander, we have asked you to consider why it is you would like to join The Academy. Is your answer ready?a To answer that deceptively simple question, Anaximander finds she must struggle with everything she has ever known about herself and her beloved Republica (TM)s history. What is the nature of being human, of being conscious? What does it mean to have a soul? And when everything has been laid bare, she must confront The Republica (TM)s last great secret, her own surprising link to Adam Forde, and the horrifying truth about her world.Genesis is a provocative novel of ideas that forces us to contemplate the very essence of what it means to be human. You will want to finish it in one sitting, and you will want to listen to it again and again.

伯纳德·贝克特（Bernard Beckett），1967年生于新西兰，被公认为目前大洋洲最杰出的作家之一，笔耕生涯获奖无数；并于2005年成为皇家科学院遗传学研究员；同时还是一位出色的高中教员，尤擅讲授数学、英文及戏剧等科目。

贝克特努力把科学、哲学和写故事的热情相融，作品启示性与趣味性兼具，深受欧美诸国青少年读者推崇。