Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Borne summary
Brief summary
Borne is a captivating science fiction novel by Jeff VanderMeer. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it follows the story of Rachel and her biotech discovery, Borne, as they navigate through a city ruled by a giant flying bear and confront their own identities.
Topics
Table of Contents
Borne
Summary of key ideas
The Unusual Discovery of Borne
In Borne by Jeff VanderMeer, we are introduced to a post-apocalyptic world where a giant, flying bear named Mord roams the city, terrorizing the residents. In this dangerous and unpredictable environment, we meet Rachel, a scavenger who makes her living by collecting and selling biotech scraps. During one of her scavenging trips, Rachel discovers a small, green, gelatinous creature that she names Borne. Despite her initial reservations, she decides to bring Borne home and care for him.
As Borne grows, he begins to exhibit extraordinary abilities, such as shape-shifting and absorbing the knowledge of the things he consumes. Rachel becomes increasingly attached to Borne, while her partner, Wick, a former employee of the biotech company responsible for the city's destruction, grows suspicious and wary of the creature.
The Evolution of Borne
As the story progresses, Borne's growth and development become increasingly complex. He starts to challenge Rachel's understanding of his nature and the extent of his consciousness. Despite his innocent appearance, Borne's actions begin to raise questions about his true intentions and the potential threat he poses. Rachel, torn between her maternal feelings for Borne and her loyalty to Wick, struggles to make sense of the situation.
Wick, on the other hand, becomes obsessed with Borne, conducting secret experiments to understand his biology and capabilities. His actions reveal the dark underbelly of the city's biotech industry and the horrifying experiments conducted by the Company. As Rachel's trust in Wick begins to wane, she is forced to confront the reality of Borne's origins and the potential danger he might represent.
The Unraveling of Secrets in Borne
As the plot unfolds, VanderMeer masterfully weaves together the characters' personal journeys with the larger narrative of a world in turmoil. Rachel's past, her connection to the city's destruction, and her relationship with Wick are all brought to light, adding layers of complexity to the story. At the same time, Borne's true nature and his connection to the Company are gradually revealed, further complicating the characters' dynamics.
Amidst these revelations, Mord, the flying bear, continues to pose a constant threat, adding a sense of impending doom to the narrative. As the characters struggle to survive in this hostile environment, they are forced to confront their deepest fears and desires, leading to unexpected alliances and betrayals.
The Conclusion of Borne's Journey
In the climactic final act, the characters' conflicting agendas come to a head. Borne, now fully aware of his capabilities and origins, makes a fateful decision that will change the course of their lives. Rachel, forced to confront the consequences of her actions, must make a difficult choice between her loyalty to Borne and her survival.
In the end, Borne is a story about survival, love, and the ethical implications of biotechnology. It challenges our understanding of consciousness and the boundaries between the artificial and the natural. As the characters navigate this treacherous world, they are forced to confront their own humanity and the consequences of playing god with nature.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Borne about?
Borne is a captivating dystopian novel that takes place in a city devastated by biotech experimentation. The story follows a scavenger named Rachel who discovers a mysterious creature named Borne amidst the chaos. As Rachel takes Borne under her wing, their bond challenges her understanding of the world and forces her to confront the dark secrets of her past.
Borne Review
Borne (2017) by Jeff VanderMeer is a captivating sci-fi novel that offers a unique and engaging reading experience. Here's why this book stands out:
- Explores a dystopian world where biotech creations blur the lines between human and machine, sparking thought-provoking discussions on ethics and technology.
- Features a complex and multifaceted protagonist named Rachel, whose evolving relationship with the mysterious creature Borne adds depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.
- With its unsettling atmosphere and unpredictable twists, the book keeps readers on the edge of their seats, ensuring an immersive and thrilling journey from start to finish.
Who should read Borne?
Readers who enjoy thought-provoking and unconventional science fiction
Those interested in exploring themes of biotechnology, environmental collapse, and the nature of humanity
People who appreciate complex and morally ambiguous characters
Categories with Borne
Book summaries like Borne
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
38 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Borne FAQs
What is the main message of Borne?
Survival, purpose, and the blurred lines between creation and destruction.
How long does it take to read Borne?
The estimated reading time for Borne is several hours. Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is Borne a good book? Is it worth reading?
Borne is worth reading for its unique storytelling and thought-provoking exploration of humanity and nature.
Who is the author of Borne?
Jeff VanderMeer is the author of Borne.
What to read after Borne?
If you're wondering what to read next after Borne, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- Incognito by David Eagleman
- God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens
- A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
- The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
- Simply Complexity by Neil F. Johnson
- Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku
- The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks