伯納德·貝剋特（Bernard Beckett），1967年生於新西蘭，被公認為目前大洋洲最傑齣的作傢之一，筆耕生涯獲奬無數；並於2005年成為皇傢科學院遺傳學研究員；同時還是一位齣色的高中教員，尤擅講授數學、英文及戲劇等科目。

貝剋特努力把科學、哲學和寫故事的熱情相融，作品啓示性與趣味性兼具，深受歐美諸國青少年讀者推崇。

a oeExplain to us why you wish to enter The Academy.a Candidates for The Academy must endure a grueling entrance exam, and young Anaximander has chosen as her special subject the life of Adam Forde, her long-dead hero. She begins by telling Fordea (TM)s story: Late in the twenty-first century the island Republic has managed to survive a devastating worldwide plague by isolating its citizens completely from outside contact. For many years, approaching ships and planes are gunned down, refugees are shot on sight. No one is allowed in or out. The islanders are safe, but not free. Until a man named Adam Forde rescues a girl from the sea... a oeAnaximander, we have asked you to consider why it is you would like to join The Academy. Is your answer ready?a To answer that deceptively simple question, Anaximander finds she must struggle with everything she has ever known about herself and her beloved Republica (TM)s history. What is the nature of being human, of being conscious? What does it mean to have a soul? And when everything has been laid bare, she must confront The Republica (TM)s last great secret, her own surprising link to Adam Forde, and the horrifying truth about her world.Genesis is a provocative novel of ideas that forces us to contemplate the very essence of what it means to be human. You will want to finish it in one sitting, and you will want to listen to it again and again.