The One

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New technology is in place. Take a swab / DNA test. Wait for a soul mate match from MatchYourDNA.com to live happily ever after. This book follows 5 couples who are matched and follows their points of view. Some are happy, some are not. The storylines are (some spoilers below):

• A serial killer is matched to a cop, and how he navigates his killings despite progressing his relationship with the cop. T.H.R.I.L.L.I.N.G.

• A guy who is engaged to a girl is matched to another guy. He doesn't believe he is gay. F.U.N.N.Y.

• A lady desperate to get married is matched to a dead man and is somehow convinced to have his baby through an artificial process. C.R.E.E.P.Y.

• A lady travels around the world to meet her match only to find out he is dying. S.A.D.

• The inventor of the DNA matching algorithm is matched to a guy who fakes not knowing who she really is. C.R.A.Z.Y.

This book takes a simple concept, applies it to different lives, tracks multiple storylines that all run in parallel threads and never really join into a common thread, not even in the ending. The structure is a bit frustrating in the beginning but as you get to know the characters, it is easy to follow and is a page turner. I found some of the characters' storylines more intriguing than others. However, I felt curious about all of the characters and was eager to read how their situations played out.

Just before I picked up this book, I had a long conversation with a friend about DNA Tests for the Human Genome project - an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying and mapping all of the genes of the human genome from both a physical and a functional standpoint. This book is absolutely not technical nor does it aim to explain any details related to DNA. I picked up this book as the synopsis happened to pique my interest especially after the conversation about DNA with a friend. I did not expect this to be a great novel but I quite enjoyed reading this over my commute to work.

The One is an interesting book and is written very well by John Marrs. There were more twists than I initially anticipated, which made it fun to read. While fictional, the story doesn’t seem too implausible given the plethora of dating services, mobile apps and technology available in today’s world. “But I also wanted to demonstrate how greedy we are as human beings. How willing we are to give up everything and anyone we hold dear on the suggestion there might be something better around the corner.” - This resonated with me as I know a number of friends who demonstrate exactly that!

The One is an interesting book and is written very well by John Marrs. There were more twists than I initially anticipated, which made it fun to read. While fictional, the story doesn’t seem too implausible given the plethora of dating services, mobile apps and technology available in today’s world.

“But I also wanted to demonstrate how greedy we are as human beings. How willing we are to give up everything and anyone we hold dear on the suggestion there might be something better around the corner.” - This resonated with me as I know a number of friends who demonstrate exactly that!

The One was a thought-provoking read, a story that kept me curious and invested through to the end. Especially watch out for Christopher, the serial killer!

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