Genesis — Jim Crace

A bittersweet tale of a man blessed with irresistible charm and cursed by uncontrollable fertility, from the award-winning author of Being Dead

Felix Dern, a timid yet celebrated actor, leads an unblemished life untainted by the trappings of Hollywood fame. Admired for his looks, voice, and pristine reputation, "Lix" has become a darling of both the left and right -- a twisting weathervane of popularity. But beneath the perfect veneer lies a blight that has shadowed him since his teenage years: every woman he sleeps with bears his child.

Now, as Mouetta's due date approaches, Lix feels increasingly besieged by the curse of his own fertility. In Genesis, Jim Crace, winner of the National Book Critics' Circle Award and the Whitbread Novel of the Year, deftly navigates the sexual history of a loving, baffled man against the backdrop of a city's sexual awakening and the ambiguities of human desire. A poignant exploration of paternity, sexuality, and the complexities of the human heart.