More Than Human
Theodore Sturgeon
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/10)
First published in 1953
All alone: an idiot boy, a runaway girl, a severely retarded baby, and twin girls with a vocabulary of two words between them. Yet once they are mysteriously drawn together this collection of misfits becomes something very, very different from the rest of humanity.
Tags: Set On Earth
“ “Just think about it,” he said softly. “You can do practically anything. You can have practically everything. And none of it will keep you from being alone.” ”
'More Than Human' offers a fascinating perspective on the stage of the evolution of mankind, and how this could happen. The way in which it happens in the book is fast and painful, leaving multiple casualties in its wake. I went through different levels of appreciation of the book, what was an enjoyable and evocative section of the book would lead to another part which didn't work so well for me. The narrative is deliberately split into three sections which are interconnected, and while this does work effectively for me certain parts were stronger than others.
It's undeniable that some of the ideas here are novel and exciting, I just find it a shame it's weighed down by the rest of the narrative of the book. 'More Than Human' is acclaimed, both at the time of release and retroactively, and while I don't think this is unfairly given I would hesitate to recommend this. Some good ideas, but for me the price is too high to be worthwhile.