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More Than Human
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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. This intensely written and moving novel is an extraordinary vision of humanity's next step. First published in 1952, More Than Human won the Retro Hugo Award for Best Novel.
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Ruthiella
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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QUESTION 3: Can you think of any ways humans might now already operate in a group of human gestalt by “bleshing”- Where the sum of a group‘s energies is greater than each individual‘s part?

CatLass007 The first thing that comes to mind for me is the choral groups of which I have been a part over the course of my life. It‘s true of any musical ensemble. Sports teams with stars often are not as successful as teams in which there can be standout plays from the team working together. Teams that place all their emphasis on one or two players often don‘t win because the stars get bottled up. 3mo
Ruthiella @CatLass007 Great observations! I was thinking of an orchestra or band playing instruments but didn‘t think of voices melding in a choir. And you are so right about team sports. 3mo
Bookwomble I think anytime people come together in pro-social ways to act for the interests of community rather than for selfish individualism is a form of bleshing. Despite the Western and right-wing focus on “rugged individualism“, it is cooperation and empathy which has advanced humanity, and Sturgeon's gestalt is an evolutionary enhancement of that characteristic. 3mo
38 likes3 comments
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Ruthiella
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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QUESTION 2: Originally, the middle story was published alone and the first and third sections were later added to make this a novel. The second part has a very different dynamic than the other two. Did you find this worked as a whole?

CatLass007 At first, it took some adjusting but I do believe it works. I like seeing how Sturgeon brings different parts of the story together. 3mo
Ruthiella @CatLass007 I think it works too, but to be honest, I liked the middle section best. It had a forward moving energy to it that the other sections didn‘t have. 3mo
RamsFan1963 @Ruthiella I think the middle section works as both a stand alone and as the middle act of 3. You can tell that it's the main story, and the others were created to support it. It has the strongest narrative. I think the 1st act could have been removed, kept the other two parts and it would still be a strong novella. 3mo
Ruthiella @RamsFan1963 The third act definitely gives the novel an emotional upswing , whereas the middle section alone leaves the reader with an open question as to which way the new human species will go. 3mo
35 likes4 comments
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Ruthiella
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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I thought I‘d post a few discussion questions again for our monthly #ClassicLSFBC. I‘m tagging those who expressed previous interest - Anyone want to be added or removed, let me know!

QUESTION 1: The book was originally published in 1953, only eight years after the end of WWII. What is Sturgeon is trying to say about humanity with this title?

CatLass007 This is one of the most hopeful books I have ever read. I think Sturgeon wants us to know that we don‘t have to destroy ourselves with hate, that humanity as a whole is better than the some of its parts. 3mo
Ruthiella @CatLass007 Yes. The very end gives the reader a real “aha” moment. 3mo
Suet624 @CatLass007 I‘m not a sci-fi reader but your comment makes me want to read this. 3mo
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CatLass007 @Suet624 I hope you will read it. Science fiction is meant to entertain and enlighten. It‘s a way of commenting on events happening in this day and time. And, if it does its job it will encourage us to think differently about our present and our future. 3mo
CatLass007 @Ruthiella @Suet624 I have a friend who doesn‘t like sci-fi either but she‘s made an exception for Mary Doria Russell‘s The Sparrow. It is a wonderful book. 3mo
julesG 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ I forgot all about reading this. I'll get back to the discussion once I have read the book. 3mo
Ruthiella @julesG No worries! 😉 3mo
Bookwomble @Ruthiella @CatLass007 Most of the members of the gestalt would have been murdered in Nazi death camps due to neurodivergence, disability and/or race. I think it interesting that Sturgeon emphasises the importance and value of diversity within the collective entity. Eugenics had been a popular theory across the pre-war political spectrum, the horror of where that lead being a turning point for most. (edited) 3mo
Ruthiella @Bookwomble Yeah, I can‘t think that he wasn‘t in some way reacting to the horror of the war and Nazi atrocities, which would have been still fresh in most people‘s memories. 3mo
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BookwormAHN
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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Pickpick

This is a weird but intriguing book about a group of oddballs who mentally join into a sort of human 2.0. It's not like anything I've ever read and I really wish it was longer 🧡
#ClassicLSFBC @RamsFan1963 #GhostsOfXmas #WinterGames #Adventathon @BookmarkTavern #DashingDecember @Andrew65 #Rushathon @GHABI4ROSES @DieAReader #AToZ @Texreader #LittenListen @aperfectmjk

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 3mo
BookmarkTavern Wow! 🎉🎉 3mo
JanuarieTimewalker13 I read this and enjoyed it!! I think it was before I was in Litsy, but now I‘m curious!! I don‘t remember all that much except I thought someone had Down‘s Syndrome? 3mo
BookwormAHN @JanuarieTimewalker13 There was some insinuation that the Baby had something wrong with it, possibly Down Syndrome but almost all the others seemed to be on the autism spectrum as well. 3mo
JanuarieTimewalker13 Yes, Baby!!! Oh wow!! I forgot his name. I enjoyed that book…oh yeah, that makes sense. It was over 7 years ago bc it was before I was on Litsy. I would read that author again. 3mo
48 likes5 comments
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rwmg
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
Mehso-so

This struck enough chords for me to recognise that I probably read it about 40 - 50 years ago at a time when I was reading a lot of SF with similar themes. This time round though, my head being in a different place, I struggled with it and just found it baffling for much of it. It wasn't bad, but I had no particular impulse to pick it up again after doing other things and was forcing myself to finish it just to get it out of the way.

Ruthiella I thought the middle part was the best. I agree that the first and last parts were rather opaque. But overall I liked it more than you did. 3mo
15 likes2 comments
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Ruthiella
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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Pickpick

A thought provoking and occasionally disturbing novel about a possible next level evolutionary step for humans.

Six children are born with exceptional abilities, but alone, they are merely oddities. Together, however, they form a complete unit, but what is it that makes us human? Is it our physical ability or is it our ability to move beyond our survival instincts and be empathetic and develop moral codes?

Read for #ClassicLSFBC

vivastory I love how nearly ever cover of this in the feed is so out there 3mo
Ruthiella @vivastory so true! 😆 I think it might be because the book has been around for so long and so many cover artists have had a crack at it? 🤔 3mo
erzascarletbookgasm What an interesting cover. 3mo
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Ruthiella @erzascarletbookgasm I agree, it is rather arresting. It also makes sense once you read the book. 3mo
tpixie @Ruthiella interesting premise and bizarre cover! I must scroll through to see the others now! @vivastory 3mo
Ruthiella @tpixie They are interesting to check out. Most do, however, have the concept of multiplicity. 3mo
tpixie @Ruthiella 🩵 yes! I just scrolled through. I‘m intrigued 3mo
tokorowilliamwallace This is a neat cover and it sounds like an interesting concept and premise to work from. 3mo
Ruthiella @tokorowilliamwallace It was interesting! 3mo
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RamsFan1963
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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Pickpick

129/150 I remember reading this when I was around 19 or 20, and hating it. I thought it was slow and boring. Time definitely changes perspective. This is a wonderful novel about both individuality and belonging, what the next step in evolution might mean, and how we poor H. Saps might be swept away. It starts a little slow, but by the beginning of the middle section, "Baby is Three", the story takes off and is enthralling until the every end.

RamsFan1963 Was anyone else especially touched by the ending? To be all alone, the first one of your species, then to discover that there are others waiting for you, I found that very emotional. 3mo
Ruthiella Yes, it does have surprisingly touching third act. I wasn‘t expecting that. 👍 3mo
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DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 3mo
BookmarkTavern I love revisiting books from years ago! 3mo
BookwormAHN I just wish it was longer, especially the 3rd act. 3mo
RamsFan1963 @BookwormAHN yeah I definitely agee 3mo
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CatLass007
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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This book… indescribably wonderful. #ClassicLSFBC

Ruthiella I‘ve read the first two sections and am inclined to agree with you. Also, this doesn‘t feel dated at all. Remarkable for a book over a half century old. 4mo
CatLass007 @Ruthiella Well, it was a little cringey the way he wrote the Janitor‘s speech patterns and the way Janie‘s mother used the N-word. But I just reminded myself when it was written and that plenty of people like Janie‘s mother still exist. But those were the only instances that seemed dated to me. The rest of the book seemed timeless. 4mo
36 likes2 comments
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Bookwomble
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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Pickpick

#ClassicLSFBC
I enjoyed More Than Human more than last month's book, The Stars My Destination.
Sturgeon had to use the '50s language available to him, and despite focusing on the more mainstream characters of the gestalt, I thought his underlying message of the strength of diversity, the dignity inherent in all members of society, and the ethical/moral imperative of cooperation rather than individualism were well represented.
⬇️

Bookwomble If there's a link between this one and Bester's novel, it may be in the suggestion of a redemption arc, which if less developed by Sturgeon was, I think, better presented. 4mo
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RamsFan1963
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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The idiot lived in a black and gray world, punctuated by the white lightning of hunger and the flickering of fear.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

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Bookwomble
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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#ClassicLSFBC
Starting this. My 1973 copy is pretty battered, so the image is a nice clean one of the same edition from the internet 😌
I read this in 1978, and recalled some ableist and other derogatory language which was, I guess, unremarkable when written in 1954, but even by the late '70s had me pursing my lips. Sure enough, the second word sets the tone, so fair warning. I'll not mention it again unless it's too distracting.

Ruthiella Hmmm. I‘m hoping to pick up my copy from the library tomorrow. 4mo
Bookwomble @Ruthiella The usual caveats aside for a book of this age, I do recall enjoying the story, so cultural filters on and dive in! 4mo
29 likes2 comments
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RamsFan1963
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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I was going to let the voting go until the end of Wednesday, but honestly, the winner has already won by a landslide vote. December's read for #ClassicLSFBC will be More Than Human by Theodore Sturgeon. Most libraries should have a copy, not sure if it's available on audio, and I've seen several different copies (and covers) online.

Deblovestoread If you have an audible subscription More Than Human is available free. 4mo
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CatLass007 It is available in audio. 4mo
RamsFan1963 @Deblovestoread That's good to know. I see Stefan Rudnicki is the narrator (with an intro by Harlan Ellison), and he's one of my favorites. Sadly I already ordered a print copy off Ebay 4mo
Bookwomble @RamsFan1963 I've got my copy of MTH ready 😊 I've just started reading The Terraformers for #LSFBC November. 4mo
TheSpineView Well done! 4mo
julesG You could immerse yourself in the book by doing audio and physical copy, Kevin. 4mo
RamsFan1963 @Bookwomble I haven't read that much of The Terraformers yet, but now that I've finished Bester, I'm going to concentrate on it more. 4mo
RamsFan1963 I'll be interested to see the different covers for More Than Human. It's been reprinted several times, and from what I've seen online, the covers go from mundane to weird af. 4mo
Bookwomble @RamsFan1963 I'm on page 25 of Terraformers and finding it a struggle. It's probably me: I'm a mood reader and I don't think I'm in the mood for this today. I'll come back tomorrow, though 🙂 4mo
rwmg Please add me to the list 4mo
RamsFan1963 @rwmg You got it!! 4mo
tokorowilliamwallace Ooh, I wanna be added to the list just in case, too. 4mo
RamsFan1963 @tokorowilliamwallace Sure, glad to have you with us 4mo
49 likes16 comments
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HeyT
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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This is probably the most literary sci fi I've read recently and while it was very well crafted it's not really my usual thing. There's a lot to unpack about identity and morality as you see the characters grow and come together. Definitely more character than plot based.
#BuriedAliveChallenge

HeyT This was my November DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
14 likes2 comments
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HeyT
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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#BookReport
Managed to finish two books this week so I'm feeling pretty good. Both were excellent. Alien shore for the ND rep and Raven and Reindeer for retelling goodness.

#WeeklyForecast
Goal this week is to finish More Than Human and make progress on Mote in God's Eye. If I manage to finish both I'll only have one book left in my BookSpin backlog after.

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HeyT
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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Starting this today. It‘s such a relief to have all my chunkster commitments behind me and more manageable works left in the end of year challenge crunch.

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UnRuLee
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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2020 Read Harder Challenge, book 10 of 24 completed.
Prompt: Read a book that takes place in a rural setting
Title: More Than Human
Written by: Theodore Sturgeon

My mom always says that some books just “go inside her and stay.” This is a book that has gone inside me and stayed. If you like books about found family, this book will be your jam. (Heads up: this was written in the 50s, so there‘s a bit of outdated language re: race and disability.)

Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂 4y
UnRuLee Thank you!! I‘m already loving it here. :) 4y
4 likes2 comments
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sawyer189
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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Mehso-so

Another one of my brothers old-time books

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dogra
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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Considered one of the great science-fiction novels of the 1950s.

quirkyreader The edition I read had a different cover. Also, I have seen other editions of this book over the years. 🐸🐙 7y
dogra This cover is pretty trippy, even for a sci-fi book with some deep resonances. 7y
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BeeCharmer
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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I'm not even in the middle of chapter one and I'm already anxious to know where this story goes.
As a group of people who are very different from one another, yet not that different at all, who are misunderstood by the people in their worlds, finding one another was life saving.
"If you have ever been lonely and longed for completion, you will be drawn to this book."

3 likes1 stack add
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Pete
More Than Human | Theodore Sturgeon
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One of the coolest book covers I've ever seen and I can't wait to read it. From my mother's collection. #coverporn