Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
[Kbh.] Notabene 1974 222 s.
Description
Six misfits, one powerful entity. An award-winning novel about belonging by "one of the greatest writers of science fiction and fantasy who ever lived" (Stephen King). Individually, they are a seemingly simpleminded young man living in the woods who can read the thoughts of others, a runaway girl with telekinetic powers, twin girls who can barely speak but can teleport across great distances, and an infant with a mind like a supercomputer. Together, they are the Gestalt--a single extraordinary being comprised of remarkable parts--although an essential piece may be missing . . . But are they the next stage in human development or harbingers of the end of civilization? The answer may come when they are joined by Gerry. Powerfully telepathic, he lacks a moral compass--and his hatred of the world that has rejected him could prove catastrophic. Winner of the International Fantasy Award and considered Theodore Sturgeon's masterpiece, More Than Human is a genre-bending wonder that explores themes of responsibility and morality, individuality, and belonging. Moving and suspenseful, lyrical and provocative, the novel was one of the first to elevate science fiction into the realm of literature, and inspired musicians and artists, including the Grateful Dead and Crosby, Stills and Nash. From the Nebula Award-winning author of Godbody, The Dreaming Jewels, and other great works of science fiction, this is an unforgettable reading experience and a must for anyone who enjoys Ramsey Campbell, Robert Silverberg, or Philip José Farmer. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Theodore Sturgeon including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the University of Kansas's Kenneth Spencer Research Library and the author's estate, among other sources.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member ChrisRiesbeck
More three connected stories than a novel, but still a classic. The first story is the strongest and holds up amazingly well. It navigates the interweaved lives of Lone, the idiot, Alice and Evelyn, the sisters imprisoned by a sadistic father, Jane the telekinetic, and, to a lesser extent, Beanie
This was one of my favorite books half a century ago. Still recommended.
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and Bonnie the African American teleporting toddlers, the Prodds, a farming couple, and... Baby, though Baby becomes more relevant later. This first story lets the reader be as lost as its protagonists, who are growing up either abused or ignored. Their secret is revealed very gradually and organically. The second story, "Baby is Three", is more of its time -- a classic 1950's narrative trope of some revealing a backstory in a psychotherapist's office. The tone will remind many of Heinlein. It's a very good Heinlein story, but not as groundbreaking as the first story. The final story is the weakest. It focuses on a character introduced in the first story but dropped after one page. This is one of those "amnesiac gradually remembers" stories. It begins well but devolves into way too much talking and exposition, some of it to try and defend and bolster a creaky plot. To make it more frustrating, the closing lines of the second story and the title of the third story already clearly established where things were going.This was one of my favorite books half a century ago. Still recommended.
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LibraryThing member baswood
Another in the SF Masterworks series, this one was published in 1953. It consists of three interlinked stories and knowing this before reading will help with an understanding of the novel. The connection between the stories is the development of a gestalt consciousness. In the first story Lone, who
Sturgeon writes in a style that is at times similar to a stream of consciousness, while introducing some arresting imagery. This serves to make the gestalt group appear strange and out of the ordinary, he links these passages with more regular story telling and so gives his readers some solid groundwork for the development of the novel. While admiring Sturgeons personal writing style and enjoying some of the imagery I was not always convinced that the novel held together. This maybe because the first story which introduces the reader to the gestalt group is written in the third person, while the second story is written in the first person by somebody who is a new character and his connection to the group is not immediately apparent. This literary style lifts the novel out of the run of the mill story telling of much of the nineteen fifties science fiction writing and I can understand why it is considered a ‘masterwork’ in the genre.
The jury is out on this one for me, perhaps it needs re-reading, because I am not sure that I grasped all of where Sturgeon was taking me. I felt that his attempt to wrap up the novel became a little pedestrian, which again was not in keeping with what had been written previously. A strange mixture and one that in my opinion is a little too ambitious and so three stars.
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professes to be a sort of village idiot gathers around him children with extraordinary gifts: telekinesis, telepathy, computer type brains who live in a cave in the woods and are pretty much sociopaths. They exist by meshing their gifts into one enhanced being. In the second story we meet Gerry who is seeking help from a psychiatrist. He had become part of Lone’s group and when Lone was accidentally killed had become the groups focal point. The third story introduces Hip Barrows who after serving in the war as an engineer ended up in an asylum with severe amnesia; with help from one of the gestalt groups previous members he pieces together his memory and his confrontation with Gerry. Sturgeon writes in a style that is at times similar to a stream of consciousness, while introducing some arresting imagery. This serves to make the gestalt group appear strange and out of the ordinary, he links these passages with more regular story telling and so gives his readers some solid groundwork for the development of the novel. While admiring Sturgeons personal writing style and enjoying some of the imagery I was not always convinced that the novel held together. This maybe because the first story which introduces the reader to the gestalt group is written in the third person, while the second story is written in the first person by somebody who is a new character and his connection to the group is not immediately apparent. This literary style lifts the novel out of the run of the mill story telling of much of the nineteen fifties science fiction writing and I can understand why it is considered a ‘masterwork’ in the genre.
The jury is out on this one for me, perhaps it needs re-reading, because I am not sure that I grasped all of where Sturgeon was taking me. I felt that his attempt to wrap up the novel became a little pedestrian, which again was not in keeping with what had been written previously. A strange mixture and one that in my opinion is a little too ambitious and so three stars.
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LibraryThing member DaveWilde
Theodore Sturgeon's "More Than Human" is one of the strangest and, at the same time, most fascinating novels (or group of three connected novellas) that you will read. It is written in beautiful, otherworldly prose that sets it apart in time and space and begins as if it were a narration of an
Sturgeon wrote science fiction, but I am not sure if you could consider this to be of that genre. Despite the telekinesis, the mind reading, the hypnotic trances, the body asportations, the flying car, and the baby with a mind like a giant computer, it is not a future world or a parallel universe story, but one of unusual people with unusual abilities. It is about the geniuses who seem odd and don't fit in. It is about people who appear to be monsters because they can't understand human morality.
This book is not an adventure book. It is not a mystery. It is not a life event novel. It is a concept piece, pure and simple, and it is filled with all kinds of concepts and ideas. It is a rich tapestry about a possible leap in human evolution. Murder, assault, suicide, and the like all appear in here, but are merely side notes in the great symphony that Sturgeon conducts.
There are some that may find this hard to read as it is very untraditional in structure and lacks a normal plot development. It simply may not be for everyone.
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ancient legend. It jumps a bit between plot lines and the reader may have to read some parts, especially in the beginning, more than once. What is amazing about it is that it was written in 1953 and it explored concepts well ahead of its time such as gestalt or group consciousness, communal living, outcasts banding together, people feeling alone because they were different even when the differences were things ordinary people could not do. It is a story of power and absolute power and of loneliness and disconnectedness. Its about adolescent rebellion.Sturgeon wrote science fiction, but I am not sure if you could consider this to be of that genre. Despite the telekinesis, the mind reading, the hypnotic trances, the body asportations, the flying car, and the baby with a mind like a giant computer, it is not a future world or a parallel universe story, but one of unusual people with unusual abilities. It is about the geniuses who seem odd and don't fit in. It is about people who appear to be monsters because they can't understand human morality.
This book is not an adventure book. It is not a mystery. It is not a life event novel. It is a concept piece, pure and simple, and it is filled with all kinds of concepts and ideas. It is a rich tapestry about a possible leap in human evolution. Murder, assault, suicide, and the like all appear in here, but are merely side notes in the great symphony that Sturgeon conducts.
There are some that may find this hard to read as it is very untraditional in structure and lacks a normal plot development. It simply may not be for everyone.
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LibraryThing member PallanDavid
'More than Human' by Theodore Sturgeon - Science Fiction.... Science Fiction????? Wow... if this book had not been part of the Easton Presses Masterpieces of SciFi Catalog, I never would have guessed! But that is where I got it so that is how I tag it! This is how the Collector's Notes explain:
This is a book about a group of children with different psychic powers who join as a group and become the next step in the evolution of man. To paraphrase one one character: evolution of the psyche rather than the physical. They work together as a unit in order to accomplish tasks, a unit that grows up together and remain as a group as they grow into adulthood. This is a story of individuals with the ability to have absolute power over others, and how they do and do not follow that course.
The first third of Part I was difficult for me to follow, it jumps between characters who seemingly have nothing to do with one another. The only thread of a hint of the story line is that they all have a different psychic power. But keep with it, those Individual threads come together in a powerful manner. As I read it, I realized it was asking many questions of the reader concerning evolution of man, morality, ethics, companionship and being alone in the world.
For me, the "end" of the book was more of a conclusion of a third story (the tree parts of this book were originally published as three separate short stories concerning the same individuals) than the ending of a tale. It presents a manner in which this group of psychic individuals can grow, expand, "replicate" and leaves a possible thread for a 4th Part telling the tale of the next important event in thier lives.
If you are the type of SF fan who has a focus on aliens, space travel, war on far away planets, this is not for you. If you are one who will accept the idea that SF, if not now, has at one time in the past focused on ideas other than the above list, you will enjoy this book. If you are not "into" stories about the psyche, I suggest you read this anyway, it is bound to open you to a genre which is part of the history of SF writing.
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"John W. Campbell, who presided over the Golden Age of science fiction as editor of 'Astounding' [Magazine], said the SF potential of rocket flight and atomic power had been used up, and suggested that writers mine for ideas [of] the psychic powers being investigated by Prof. J.B. Rhine at Duke University." This genre was a main focus of SF writing in the earlhy to mid-1050's.This is a book about a group of children with different psychic powers who join as a group and become the next step in the evolution of man. To paraphrase one one character: evolution of the psyche rather than the physical. They work together as a unit in order to accomplish tasks, a unit that grows up together and remain as a group as they grow into adulthood. This is a story of individuals with the ability to have absolute power over others, and how they do and do not follow that course.
The first third of Part I was difficult for me to follow, it jumps between characters who seemingly have nothing to do with one another. The only thread of a hint of the story line is that they all have a different psychic power. But keep with it, those Individual threads come together in a powerful manner. As I read it, I realized it was asking many questions of the reader concerning evolution of man, morality, ethics, companionship and being alone in the world.
For me, the "end" of the book was more of a conclusion of a third story (the tree parts of this book were originally published as three separate short stories concerning the same individuals) than the ending of a tale. It presents a manner in which this group of psychic individuals can grow, expand, "replicate" and leaves a possible thread for a 4th Part telling the tale of the next important event in thier lives.
If you are the type of SF fan who has a focus on aliens, space travel, war on far away planets, this is not for you. If you are one who will accept the idea that SF, if not now, has at one time in the past focused on ideas other than the above list, you will enjoy this book. If you are not "into" stories about the psyche, I suggest you read this anyway, it is bound to open you to a genre which is part of the history of SF writing.
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LibraryThing member nadineeg
Thoughtful concept, stick with it as it takes time for all the pieces (pun intended) to come together.
LibraryThing member elenchus
Evidently Sturgeon's novel is prototypical New Wave SF: characters emphasised over science, competing ideas and ideals foregrounded while chases and battles sidelined. The storytelling is well done, from prose to structure and plotting.
Sturgeon uses a distinctive narrative voice: stylised, meant
Against all this, Sturgeon stays alert both to the implications of his ideas, and also their potential. Sturgeon thought about the social and logical implications of his ideas and built his story around them. His plots and premises often flow because they start not "at the beginning", but in medias res. Such choices grab the reader's attention, and Sturgeon lets the full picture resolve naturally, unspooling details and background until the story's uncertain images come into focus. The denouement dilates from his central idea, reflecting on how human evolution, as he conceives it, raises distinct ethical questions for his characters. Sturgeon's finale accommodates both the preceding conflict and thematic ambition, a mix of plot climax and conceptual revelation.
I really enjoyed the concept and how Sturgeon realised it, overall a welcome counterweight to the prevailing Marvel / DC approach to superheroes. While Sturgeon never uses the term "superhero" (referring instead to Homo gestalt), arguably a new kind of superhero is precisely what he describes.
Sturgeon uses a distinctive narrative voice: stylised, meant
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to represent a non-neurotypical intelligence, and achieves that memorably. He does this three times, actually: the first and third parts are in third-person omniscient; the 2nd in first person, each time following a different character. He pairs these voices with an exceedingly economical prose style: this is a short novel, reads fast, but contains a lot of content in that short narrative. Some of that is the prose: poetic but clear, unadorned, it's the combination of simple words not a selection of fancy or unusual words. But just as crucial to the style is the novel's structure and plotting. Three intertwined novellettes or novellas, a focus on short scenes which show rather than tell, with much action relayed retrospectively (either reviewing memories, or relaying history in brief episodes). There are overlapping characters but from different time periods. Against all this, Sturgeon stays alert both to the implications of his ideas, and also their potential. Sturgeon thought about the social and logical implications of his ideas and built his story around them. His plots and premises often flow because they start not "at the beginning", but in medias res. Such choices grab the reader's attention, and Sturgeon lets the full picture resolve naturally, unspooling details and background until the story's uncertain images come into focus. The denouement dilates from his central idea, reflecting on how human evolution, as he conceives it, raises distinct ethical questions for his characters. Sturgeon's finale accommodates both the preceding conflict and thematic ambition, a mix of plot climax and conceptual revelation.
I really enjoyed the concept and how Sturgeon realised it, overall a welcome counterweight to the prevailing Marvel / DC approach to superheroes. While Sturgeon never uses the term "superhero" (referring instead to Homo gestalt), arguably a new kind of superhero is precisely what he describes.
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LibraryThing member dbsovereign
Explores the possibilities of human consciousness in the mind-bending concept of "blesh" (a combination of blend and mesh). By our outcasts we are transformed.
LibraryThing member jwood652
Classic sci-fi first published in 1953. A group of people with special powers combine to form a new evolutionary entity. Combine a baby who is a genius and can telepathically communicate answers to difficult questions, twins who teleport here and there and anywhere, the simpleton who can read and
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even control minds, the girl who can move objects telepathically, the guy who could run the world. They lack a conscience and without morality or ethics could wreak havoc. Find out if and how they get this moral compass, experiencing the consequences along the way. Show Less
LibraryThing member duhrer
I sat down to write this review after reading "More than Human" by Theodore Sturgeon and "Cryptozoic" by Brian Aldiss within a day of each other. I had thought at first that "Cryptozoic" was the older work, and had hoped that might explain the somewhat dated feel of "Cryptozoic" and the apparent
This is, in short, a classic.
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modernity of "More Than Human". In fact, "More Than Human" was printed in 1953, and "Cryptozoic" in 1967. I suppose what makes "More Than Human" the more timeless work is in part the fact that it tends to show rather than tell. In reading "More Than Human", we experience the evolution of a new communal being as a series of experiences, with words that seem to come naturally from those experiencing it. Rather than telling us about the technology involved through one or more characters, Sturgeon shows us an extended example of evolving human potential and the impact of that evolution on ethics (personal rules for conduct) and morals (societal rules for conduct).This is, in short, a classic.
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LibraryThing member phillybrarian
Sturgeon writes like a poet, thinks like a psychologist, understands like a philosopher.
LibraryThing member ilovekittens
This is, hands down, one of the best books I have ever read! The very end is a tad too philosophical for my taste, but the rest of the book is so amazing that it makes no difference. I can't put my finger on what makes this such a wonderful and special book. It's just…magical, somehow. Really
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fantastic!!!!!! Show Less
LibraryThing member rossblog
Stumbled upon an old battered penguin paperback in the back of a shop. This is a fabulous story. Excruciating at points, never less than spellbinding.
My favourite moment was definitely the fixing of the truck.
My favourite moment was definitely the fixing of the truck.
LibraryThing member telo
I found myself reading this novel on different levels.
On one, it is a beautifully written story of the emergence of the next possible stage of human evolution - Homo gestalt - a whole composed of several individuals all of whom are 'different' in some way.
On another, it can be read as an
Neither reading affected my enjoyment of the other and, despite some dark areas within it, this is a novel which is ultimately about hope and transformation.
On one, it is a beautifully written story of the emergence of the next possible stage of human evolution - Homo gestalt - a whole composed of several individuals all of whom are 'different' in some way.
On another, it can be read as an
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examination of different psychological issues, central to which is the development of the Self. The book's structure itself suggests this with each part broadly corresponding to the Freudian ideas of id, ego and super-ego and the book looks at themes of identity, isolation, family and moral development.Neither reading affected my enjoyment of the other and, despite some dark areas within it, this is a novel which is ultimately about hope and transformation.
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LibraryThing member drachenbraut23
I read this book the first time when I was about 15, loved the story but did not understand all the subtleties around it. Rereading it, I still loved the book, but also enjoyed the complexeties in the story. As someone already stated before me " Sturgeon writes like a poet, thinks like a
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psychologist, and understands like a philosopher" I very much agree with this statement . This is very much the kind of Science Fiction I like to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member datrappert
This seems more like an idea for a book than a book itself. Although some of the individual parts are pretty good, it is disjointed and not as coherent as it needs to be. Nor does it really deliver on the apparently important message about the evolution of human capabilities that Sturgeon is
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apparently trying to convey. Overall, it was a somewhat frustrating read. Parts of the first few pages are so poorly written that I almost quit. Show Less
LibraryThing member languagehat
One of the all-time great sf novels.
LibraryThing member sixslug
I give Sturgeon props for his original, unique ideas and occasional inspired metaphors and I have no doubt this book heavily influenced Science Fiction as a genre. In some ways this is a crude version of X-Men. That anyone was writing about telekinesis and gestalt mutant creatures before James Dean
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could drive is remarkable. That said, this book was not an easy or enjoyable read. At times poetic, but more often, grating, I confess I gave up and opted to “finish” the book by reading the plot summary on Wikipedia. Show Less
LibraryThing member crazybatcow
This was very difficult to finish reading... I see now that it was originally written as 3 short stories (sort of), and that explains how disjointed it is. But... it wasn't this disjointedness that bothered me as much as... well, the pseudo-psychobabble in it. The whole middle section is a scene in
If late 1950's psychotherapy methods still held valid today, it might have been okay, but it was all psychojunk that has fallen to the wayside in the the current treatment methods of "drug 'em", don't hypnotize 'em.
Anyway, I suppose in its original era it would have been fresh and exciting, but we've had nearly 60 years of better sci-fi, better "human super-evolution" and better psychological exploration fiction.
I'll mark it down as a classic sci-fi and be glad that I won't have to read it again.
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a psychologist's office, the point of which was only half to continue the storyline, the other half was to explore late 1950's psychotherapy methods.If late 1950's psychotherapy methods still held valid today, it might have been okay, but it was all psychojunk that has fallen to the wayside in the the current treatment methods of "drug 'em", don't hypnotize 'em.
Anyway, I suppose in its original era it would have been fresh and exciting, but we've had nearly 60 years of better sci-fi, better "human super-evolution" and better psychological exploration fiction.
I'll mark it down as a classic sci-fi and be glad that I won't have to read it again.
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LibraryThing member satyridae
It's been well over 20 years since I last read this book. It's every bit as great as I remember it, and more. Quietly magnificent, this science fiction novel reverberates. Like looking at visual art, it's the negative spaces in this novel which perfect it. Highly recommended.
LibraryThing member ragwaine
This was okay but it jumped around too much for me. The "main" character kept changing and I was never sure who was who? I appreciate at least some of the statement he was trying to make now that I'm done reading it but while I was reading (listening actually) to it I was too preoccupied trying to
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figure out if a certain character was actually a different incarnation of another character or not. Show Less
LibraryThing member GarryRogers
When my friend Joe and I read this in 7th Grade we were thoroughly impressed, and still often mention scenes we recall.
Theodore Sturgeon's characters and story development are excellent. His plots are slightly weaker, but still very good.
Theodore Sturgeon's characters and story development are excellent. His plots are slightly weaker, but still very good.
LibraryThing member aguba
Unforgettable. Read it while very young and re-read again and again. Seminal, important, brilliant work. Short though and I wished it was longer every time, but this book is a treasure to behold. Just look at the year of publication – how advanced was Sturgeon's thinking? A must-read and a
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must-keep. Show Less
LibraryThing member chosler
Sturgeon’s best know work about human evolution through unlocked powers of the mind into an aggregate entity known as homo gestalt. The novel is broken into three parts, the first detailing the coming together of the entity, which includes a telepathic idiot, a telekinetic girl, teleporting
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twins, and a deformed savant baby. The second part follows the death of the “head” of the entity, the idiot, and the adoption of a brilliant orphan as the new head, which leads to violence and degeneration, told through a psychiatric session. The last part describes the life of a talented engineer after he encounters the entity, his descent into madness, recovery, and eventual assimilation into the entity as a conscience. Moderate violence and language. Show Less
LibraryThing member aarondesk
Definitely dated - filled with psychological and philosophical babble typical of an older age. The ending went out with a light pitter-patter rather than a bang. Nonetheless still an interesting read with off beat protagonists and a decent pace
LibraryThing member thesmellofbooks
This book works on so many levels--as science fiction, as poetry, as psychodrama, as character study, and as compassionate literature. Very highly recommended!
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 1954)
Locus All-Time Best (Science Fiction Novel — 13 — 1998)
501 Must-Read Books (Emma Beare, 2006) (Science Fiction)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1953
Physical description
222 p.; 18.2 cm
ISBN
8774900765 / 9788774900764
Local notes
Omslag: Bente Nyström
Omslaget viser et puslespil med 6 personer på
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Notabene science fiction, bind 13
Oversat fra amerikansk "More than human" af Jannick Storm
Omslaget viser et puslespil med 6 personer på
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Notabene science fiction, bind 13
Oversat fra amerikansk "More than human" af Jannick Storm
Similar in this library
Pages
222
DDC/MDS
| 813.54 |