Beggars in SpainBeggars in Spain
Score Modern
What it's about
In the near future, genetic engineering makes it possible to create children who never need to sleep. Leisha Camden, one of the first 'Sleepless', is smarter, healthier and more productive than ordinary people. As the Sleepless grow up, resentment against them grows, and they face the question of what they owe to everyone else.
Why it's worth reading
It was a finalist for both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. It's thought-provoking science fiction about inequality.
You'll love it if you liked
Flowers for Algernon
Brave New World
The Moon Is a Harsh MistressGood to know
It's the first of a trilogy.
By the numbers
- Readers32 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics68 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller12 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #149 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #229 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #849 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1571 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking, Adventurous, Dark
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Thief of Time
The Sword of Kaigen
The Alloy of Law
The Curse of ChalionExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is Beggars in Spain worth reading?
Yes. It was a finalist for both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. It ranks #1,571 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 67.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Beggars in Spain about?
In the near future, genetic engineering makes it possible to create children who never need to sleep. Leisha Camden, one of the first 'Sleepless', is smarter, healthier and more productive than ordinary people. As the Sleepless grow up, resentment against them grows, and they face the question of what they owe to everyone else.
How long does it take to read Beggars in Spain?
About 10 hours (400 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Beggars in Spain?
If you liked it, try Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein.