"How to Stop Time" is still not capturing my full attention. I'm still of the opinion that the concept is better than the execution.
The first rule of the "Albatross Society" is 'never fall in love with another human'. It's fine to love fine wine, music, poetry, but never another human. (Albatrosses were believed to be the longest lived animals, and the name was taken up by the long lived humans. They refer to others as 'Mayflies'.)
The members are granted the life they want for 8 years, and then they must go on a mission. This might be to recruit other potential Albies to the Society. If they won't join then they are killed! Once the mission has been fulfilled they have another 8 years of the life they choose. And it's all sounding like a cult run by the highly manipulative Hendrich.
In his youth, Tom falls in love with Rose, and they have a daughter, Marion. Tom's perpetual youth is being noted, and he leaves his family for their safety, and his. It's only years later he learns Marion also has an extended lifespan. I now want to know if this is an inherited trait! Is it a genetic mutation that occurs naturally, and can then be inherited? And why does this particular mutation happen so frequently?
Does Hendrich ban Albies to fall in love so he can exercise greater control? What would happen is two Albies met, fell in love, and started making babies? Would there be a new race, Homo Sapien Superior?
If two Albies could reliably produce another Albie, how long would it take for HSS to become the dominant form of humans? With their improved immune system, and hugely long fertile period, Albies could make so many more Albies. They could survive and thrive in areas not suitable for ordinary humans.
Hold on... female Mayflies are able to reproduce from puberty until menopause, let's say 30 years. With Albies, this might equate to 450 years. If there was a society of Albies, there would be a very real need to keep strict notes on bloodlines. How many generations of separation would be required before Albies could safety reproduce with their offspring. (That's a really disturbing thought for someone who grandparents were dead, or approaching the end of their life when my children were born.)
Does Hendrich ban Albies to fall in love so he can exercise greater control? What would happen is two Albies met, fell in love, and started making babies? Would there be a new race, Homo Sapien Superior?
If two Albies could reliably produce another Albie, how long would it take for HSS to become the dominant form of humans? With their improved immune system, and hugely long fertile period, Albies could make so many more Albies. They could survive and thrive in areas not suitable for ordinary humans.
Hold on... female Mayflies are able to reproduce from puberty until menopause, let's say 30 years. With Albies, this might equate to 450 years. If there was a society of Albies, there would be a very real need to keep strict notes on bloodlines. How many generations of separation would be required before Albies could safety reproduce with their offspring. (That's a really disturbing thought for someone who grandparents were dead, or approaching the end of their life when my children were born.)
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