Sandman, Sleep

In the year 2070 in a castle at the northernmost point of North America, the progeny of Orville Jones, founder of the Humanus Institute, await his annual visit. Lieberman's ( Shadow Dancer ) startlingly original 11th novel, blending medieval, biomedical and SF elements, is narrated mostly by Jonathan, one of the children whose days are regulated by their uncle Toby, the ``magna-mater'' Madam Lobkova and tutor Umberto Parelli. Lieberman's inventions--including DNA polymerization and Jones's controlled mating system--recall the nurseries of Huxley's Brave New World , the blood-draining horrors of Anne Rice's vampire tales and the magical elements of Robertson Davies's novels. The apparent murder of Jones during his visit triggers an investigation into the intrigues that govern life at the castle and the surrounding forest, which is inhabitated by elflike trolls known as the Woodsmen. Concluding with a fiery river chase and a luge-like plunge through the castle's water tunnels, this is a highly imaginative, compelling read, an uncompromising look at the chilling possibilities of of a future wrought by genetic engineering. (Apr.)