The Secret

"Inquiring and intelligent . . . "The Secret" is a meditation on that central puzzle of human life, the puzzle of identity." --"The Washington Post ""An intelligent and delightfully bizarre excursion into ethical and philosophical issues raised by technology." --"Elle ""THE COMPELLING STORY OF AN INDIVIDUAL GIRL TRYING TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT HERSELF." "--The Independent ""Hoffman's consistent sensitivity is informed by her wide erudition. . . . "The Secret" is compelling throughout for Hoffman's prose, for her insights on identity, for her reflections on history." --"The New York Times Book Review ""Hoffman brilliantly meditates on [a] mystery in her auspicious fiction debut. . . . This is a novel of ideas in the tradition of "1984" and "Brave New World,"" --"Publishers Weekly" (starred review) "Hoffman's . . . multilayered, cautionary 'fable' of genetic engineering in the near future proves compelling, in both its cool intelligence and its insistent moral questioning. . . . "The Secret" is intriguing and deeply sinister, even as it ultimately affirms those mysteries of life and human freedom that still elude us." "--The Guardian " "VERY MUCH RECOMMENDED . . .[A] thoughtful, philosophical treatment of the devastating effects a wholly fatherless state can trigger. An uneasy look at the potential fallout from biological tampering, this first novel . . . is ripe for lively book discussion." --"Library Journal ""A serious, intelligent, psychological novel which will enhance Hoffman's reputation for wise words gracefully expressed." "--Financial Times ""Hoffman sketches a creepily plausible near-future in which her protagonistexperiences a very 21st-century identity crisis." --"Kirkus Reviews ""A modern allegory somewhere between Frankenstein, the golems of Jewish folklore, and "Blade Runner."" --"Independent on Sunday "