''The Duplicate'', published in 1988, is a science fiction novel for
young adults written by
William Sleator.
Plot summary
The main character, David, finds a device at the beach that can duplicate any living organism. After testing the device on his pet fish, David makes a clone of himself so that he could go on a date with his crush, Angela, while his clone attends his grandmother's birthday. His plan backfires because the Duplicate believes himself to be the original, and refuses to take orders.
David ends up having to go to his grandmother's birthday after he loses a coin toss to the duplicate.
David's real problems begin when the Duplicate uses the device to create a clone of himself. The new duplicate is a less-than-perfect reproduction, being a copy of a copy, and has goals and desires that differ from the original David. Eventually, the second duplicate turns on Angela and the original David, and he has to find a way to stop him. Later, he stumbles upon something that will change his life.
See also
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The Duplicated Man
''The Duplicated Man'' is a science fiction novel which was It was co-written by James Blish and Robert Lowndes. ''The Duplicated Man'' was first published in the August 1953 edition of ''Dynamic Science Fiction'' and in book form, in 1959 by ...
by
James Blish
James Benjamin Blish () was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He is best known for his '' Cities in Flight'' novels and his series of ''Star Trek'' novelizations written with his wife, J. A. Lawrence. His novel '' A Case of Consc ...
and
Robert Lowndes
Robert Augustine Ward "Doc" Lowndes (September 4, 1916 – July 14, 1998) was an American science fiction author, editor and fan. He was known best as the editor of '' Future Science Fiction'', ''Science Fiction'', and '' Science Fiction Quarter ...
Novels by William Sleator
1988 American novels
Novels about cloning
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