Semmant
by Vadim Babenko
by Vadim Babenko
Genre: Literary Fiction
Purchase Link: Amazon
Book Description
A brilliant scientist creates a brilliant
robot. Working together, they beat the stock market. But which one will survive
the battle for love?
When Bogdan Bogdanov, a troubled
cybernetics genius, creates Semmant, a robot living inside a computer, he feels
on top of the world. Semmant takes on the capital markets and
makes money with the ruthless efficiency of a machine. Bogdan grows richer by
the day, but when he falls deeply for the irresistible Lidia, Semmant’s
artificial mind faces a new challenge. The robot becomes involved in a genuine
human drama and is forced to confront the cruelty of real life. He discovers the eternal joy of what it
means to have free will, but it takes him to a destination no one could have
predicted.
This is a tale of lust and
affection, an erotically charged story of betrayal and murder. It explores the
scope of human feelings from a truly unique point of view. Universal chaos and
the strict laws of society; precise mathematical rules and the elusive nature
of love: all interact and clash, working together and against one another.
Tragedy looms, but free will fights back – bringing hope that lasts forever.
My Review
After
reading the book synopsis, I was under the impression that Semmant (the robot)
would play the main role, but the book is truly about the inner workings of the cyber
genius, Bogdan Bogdanov. He grew up with vagabond parents that
traveled across Europe and at a young age he was sought out for his intelligence, and taken from his family to a school with other gifted children.
Bogdan lost whatever childhood he had and transforms
into a studious being that is incredibly bright. As he matures, it seems like
he is too smart for his own good. He fights with reality, always looking for a logical
answer and struggling with the emotional side of life. When he creates the perfect Semmant, his financial power
escalates as the robot conquers the stock market. This success only creates a
larger monster within Bogdan.
Love and lust are a central focus in this story.
Bogdan constantly searching for love, but falling for lust time and time again. He gets what
he wants and then sabotages the situation. He is never satisfied. Ultimately, Semmant
is dragged into this war of love vs. lust and is tormented within the struggle.
Finally, Bogdan turns his back on the wrong woman. His
life spirals out of control as she seeks revenge. Semmant is
a serious and heavy read. Author, Vadim Babenko has created an interesting world
with a plot that is sure to make readers think.
About the
Author
Vadim
Babenko left two “dream” jobs – cutting-edge scientist and high-flying
entrepreneur – in order to pursue his lifelong goal to write full-time. Born in
the Soviet Union, he earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the Moscow
Institute of Physics & Technology, Russia’s equivalent to MIT. As a
scientist at the Soviet Academy of Sciences he became a recognized leader in
the area of artificial intelligence. Then he moved to the U.S. and co-founded a
high-tech company just outside of Washington, D.C. The business soon
skyrocketed, and the next ambitious goal, an IPO on the stock exchange, was
realized. But at this peak of success, Vadim dropped everything to set out on
the path of a writer and has never looked back. He moved to Europe and, during
the next eight years, published five books, including two novels, The Black Pelican and A Simple Soul, which were nominated for
Russia’s most prestigious literary awards. His third novel, Semmant, initially written in Russian
and then translated with the author’s active participation, is published
exclusively in English.
Find out more at www.vadimbabenko.com
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