Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. Feb 23, 2018 even though olaf stapledons 1935 novel odd john is also a tale of hubris, the conflict between compassion and contempt takes place within the main character, in how he feels toward us, as contemporary homo sapiens. If i had an impression that odd john s clan did have something new and significant to contribute to the planet, i might be on his side. If and when a superior being is introduced into a culture, how will either. He develops at first extremely slowly and is thought to be a moron, but then his mental, and after that his physical. Stapledon was born in seacombe, wallasey, on the wirral peninsula in cheshire, the only son of william clibbett stapledon. Odd john and sirius are something else besides explorations of superbeings. The first edition of the novel was published in 1937, and was written by olaf stapledon. The book describes a history of life in the universe, dwarfing in scale stapledon s previous book, last and first men 1930, a history of the human species over two billion years.
Stapledon is capable of a great deal of humor and tongueincheek description. Though continuing to work with the supermind idea that comprises parts of his previous works last. Browse olaf stapledons bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Apr 15, 2015 the genius that is olaf stapledon one of the great and really undervalued science fiction writers. Written from a narrators perspective, odd john is a pretty unique piece of fiction. Mar 08, 2018 going by stapledons very detailed description, sirius looks exactly like a very large shiloh shepherd, which is damned interesting, since that breed hadnt been developed yet. William olaf stapledon 10 may 1886 6 september 1950 known as olaf stapledon was a british philosopher and author of influential works of science fiction. Olaf stapledon a project gutenberg of australia ebook ebook no 0601111h. Odd john and sirius are no less accurate in dealing with the problem in another guise. It was shortly after his eyes had opened that pax began to call her strange son odd john. If scifi is your defining genre then you must prop your collection with the works of olaf stapledon. Stapledon uses this tale of a youth who is an example of a new superior species emerging from conventional humanity as a way to examine the human condition from the outside.
First published in 1930, olaf stapledon writes a history of mankinds future over a period of two billion years. And odd john has a plan to create a new order on earth, a new supernormal speci. You must be able to point him out on your bookshelf to kindred spirits. Book reading is made simple and easy where texts are displayed along with highlighted paragraphs and. In 2014, he was inducted into the science fiction and fantasy hall of fame. Odd john a story between jest and earnest ebook by olaf. Odd john was first published in 1935 and was one of the very first novels to explore the theme of the super human, coining the term homo. The novel explores the theme of the ubermensch superman in the character of john wainwright, whose supernormal human mentality inevitably leads to conflict with normal human society and to the destruction of the utopian colony founded by john and other superhumans.
Odd john is his masterwork and paired with nigel carringtons narration im struggling to think of a more potent audio book. Olaf stapledon was cremated at landican crematorium. This book is one of the most popular novels of william olaf stapledon, and has been translated into several other languages around the world. Pdf odd john book by olaf stapledon free download 209 pages.
Olaf stapledon, english novelist and philosopher whose histories of the future are a major influence on contemporary science fiction. The main characters of this science fiction, fiction story are john wainwright. Last and first men and star maker by olaf stapledon. Sooner or later for good or ill, a united mankind, equipped with science and power, will probably turn its attention to the other planets, not only for economic exploitation, but also as possible homes for man. After making my way through the flames, and having read last and first men already, i decided to press ahead in my kindle anthology by tackling odd john, olaf stapledons third novel, from 1935. Last and first men is probably the ultimate book of human evolution. Star maker, last and first men, odd john william olaf stapledon 10 may 1886 6 september 1950 known as olaf stapledon was a british philosopher and author of science fiction. Although he never thought of himself as a science fiction writer, always as a philosopher and. If you create a free account and sign in, you will be able to customize what is displayed. If his writing, as he says in the subtitle to odd john, is between jest and earnest, his sympathies are divided between the conflicting forces of man and superman.
After making my way through the flames, and having read last and first men already, i decided to press ahead in. A story between jest and earnest 1935 by olaf stapledon. As fine a writer as olaf stapledon was and he seems much like a mainstream author dabbling in sciencefiction themes than a pulp author tackling a big project, i think this is where he fumbles the ball a bit. On the surface, it is the story of john and his failed attempt to forge a home for. The term homo superior originated there, as did several of the themes for mutant books. Free download or read online star maker pdf epub book. Formidable eyes they were for a baby, eyes seen under a magnifying glass, each great pupil like the mouth of a cave, the iris a mere rim, an edging of bright emerald. Very good plus condition with collectors notes and attched new bookplate. Odd john by olaf stapledon the easton press leather bound book.
I mean, paul klee was a genius, but i just dont get the relevance. Odd john by olaf stapledon 9 editions first published in 1935 download daisy. Odd john and sirius by olaf stapledon, paperback barnes. The first edition of the novel was published in 1935, and was written by olaf stapledon. A story between jest and earnest the garland library of science fiction authors. Odd john was first published in 1935 and was one of the very first novels to explore the theme of the super human, coining the term homo superior. Odd john and sirius by stapledon, olaf and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 209 pages and is available in paperback format. Odd john has a plan to create a new order on earth, a new. Odd johnolaf stapledonfree downloadpdf epubfreeditorial. Pdf odd john book by olaf stapledon free download 209. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 272 pages and is available in paperback format. Easton press odd john by olaf stapledon sci fi series ebay.
And odd john has a plan to create a new order on earth, a new supernormal species. Pdf star maker book by olaf stapledon free download 272 pages. Written by philosopher olaf stapledon, odd john looks at how the next step in human evolution would view its predecessors. He shows all the traits of a child prodigy, being especially advanced in certain realms and socially handicapped in some fundamental ways. William olaf stapledon 10 may 1886 6 september 1950 known as olaf stapledon was a british philosopher and author of science fiction. The first of these is the most powerful of stapledons intimate novels odd john is a close runnerup and by all counts one of the strangest love stories ever written, chronicling the relationship with a dog who develops a human brain capacity and the girl and, eventually, woman who grows up with him. In the list of modern science fiction personalities, the late british philosopher and novelist w.
Odd john is a boy born in england, who has neotenous features, along with strangely white hair. Odd john by olaf stapledon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Pdf star maker book by olaf stapledon free download 272. John wainwright is a freak a human mutation with an extraordinary intelligence which is both awesome and frightening to all who come into contact with him. The influence of odd john is particularly felt by marvel fans. After a strange birth and childhood, john is suddenly compelled to accept the fact that he is different. Free download or read online odd john pdf epub book. Stapledons answers are by no means romantic fantasies. John wainwright is a freak, a human mutation with an extraordinary intelligence which is both awesome and frightening to behold. And ive always assumed that project wideawake, responsible for the sentinel killer robots, was named as an homage to odd john. Odd john olaf stapledon 1st printing 1935 fascimile dj. It mixes a scifi tale with philosophical pondering about the nature and motivation of morethanhuman. Methuen, 1935 etext well, said john, im thought queer because i have more brains than most children. The main characters of this science fiction, fiction story are.
The book follows john wainwright through the entire period of his life. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. Odd john is less vast in scale but a more personal work. He has a way of insulting or at least irritating people just with his inquisitiveness. William olaf stapledon 10 may 1886 6 september 1950 was a british philosopher and academic who wrote a number of extremely influential science fiction novels in the early part of the twentieth century at a time when most sf was mainly focused on simple action and adventure, stapledon wrote broad stories examining philosophical ideas based on the revolutions in science that were. This is an audiobooks presentation using tts texttospeech synthesis technology. Odd john is a 1935 science fiction novel by british writer olaf stapledon which explores the theme of the ubermensch. Even though olaf stapledons 1935 novel odd john is also a tale of hubris, the conflict between compassion and contempt takes place within the main character, in how he feels toward us, as contemporary homo sapiens. A story between jest and earnest was written in the year 1935 by william olaf stapledon. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Sirius by olaf stapledon 6 editions first published in 1944 not in library. The book starts with an introduction by one of the last men. Odd john by olaf stapledon, first edition abebooks. Odd john olaf stapledon novel wideawake character profile. Download olaf stapledon s odd john for your kindle, tablet, ipad, pc or mobile. Last and first men and starmaker are generally considered to be the finest future histories ever written, the gage by which all earlier and later works are measured. Their feelings, and sometimes even their lives, are expendable. Buy a cheap copy of odd johnsirius book by olaf stapledon. Odd john and sirius by olaf stapledon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Odd john project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. Olaf stapledon audio books, best sellers, author bio. Ordinary humans were just playthings to john subjects for an endless chain of experiments. Odd john is the definitive fictionalization of the mutated superman.
Odd john summary the novel is narrated by a journalist who has come into contact with the eponymous john. Methuen, 1935 well, said john, im thought queer because i have more brains than most children. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. A story between jest and earnest is a 1935 science fiction novel by the british author olaf stapledon.
Odd john is an influential, if somewhat obscure, 1935 novel. It is science fiction in its loftiest form a novel of ideas. Star maker is a science fiction novel by olaf stapledon, published in 1937. New books get listed every week 100s of easton press and franklin library books available all books get cleaned with a leather cleaner to remove any dust, odor and restore beauty of leather.