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. 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. Odd john and sirius are something else besides explorations of superbeings. In the list of modern science fiction personalities, the late british philosopher and novelist w. First published in 1930, olaf stapledon writes a history of mankinds future over a period of two billion years. Sirius by olaf stapledon 6 editions first published in 1944 not in library. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Last and first men is probably the ultimate book of human evolution. Pdf odd john book by olaf stapledon free download 209. Odd john and sirius by olaf stapledon, paperback barnes. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 272 pages and is available in paperback format. You must be able to point him out on your bookshelf to kindred spirits. 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. Odd john by olaf stapledon 9 editions first published in 1935 download daisy. Stapledon is capable of a great deal of humor and tongueincheek description. Odd john is an influential, if somewhat obscure, 1935 novel. It was shortly after his eyes had opened that pax began to call her strange son odd john. Free download or read online star maker pdf epub book. If scifi is your defining genre then you must prop your collection with the works of olaf stapledon. Odd john and sirius by olaf stapledon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Odd john by olaf stapledon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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.
It mixes a scifi tale with philosophical pondering about the nature and motivation of morethanhuman. Odd john is less vast in scale but a more personal work. Odd john and sirius by stapledon, olaf and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The main characters of this science fiction, fiction story are john wainwright. Stapledon was born in seacombe, wallasey, on the wirral peninsula in cheshire, the only son of william clibbett stapledon. Written by philosopher olaf stapledon, odd john looks at how the next step in human evolution would view its predecessors. And ive always assumed that project wideawake, responsible for the sentinel killer robots, was named as an homage to odd john. The book follows john wainwright through the entire period of his life. Odd john olaf stapledon 1st printing 1935 fascimile dj. If you create a free account and sign in, you will be able to customize what is displayed. Odd john is a 1935 science fiction novel by british writer olaf stapledon which explores the theme of the ubermensch. Free download or read online odd john pdf epub book.
Odd john and sirius ebook by olaf stapledon rakuten kobo. Odd john has a plan to create a new order on earth, a new. Their feelings, and sometimes even their lives, are expendable. Olaf stapledon was cremated at landican crematorium. After making my way through the flames, and having read last and first men already, i decided to press ahead in. Last and first men and star maker by olaf stapledon. Odd john summary the novel is narrated by a journalist who has come into contact with the eponymous john.
Browse olaf stapledons bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Odd john by olaf stapledon the easton press leather bound book. Sep 28, 2014 odd john is stapledons third novel 1935. A story between jest and earnest 1935 by 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. A story between jest and earnest was written in the year 1935 by william olaf stapledon. Olaf stapledon, english novelist and philosopher whose histories of the future are a major influence on contemporary science fiction.
This book is one of the most popular novels of william olaf stapledon, and has been translated into several other languages around the world. Easton press odd john by olaf stapledon sci fi series ebay. 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. And odd john has a plan to create a new order on earth, a new supernormal speci. 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. Odd john and sirius are no less accurate in dealing with the problem in another guise. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. Olaf stapledon audio books, best sellers, author bio. On the surface, it is the story of john and his failed attempt to forge a home for. The book starts with an introduction by one of the last men. The main characters of this science fiction, fiction story are. William olaf stapledon 10 may 1886 6 september 1950 known as olaf stapledon was a british philosopher and author of science fiction.
John wainwright is a freak, a human mutation with an extraordinary intelligence which is both awesome and frightening to behold. He shows all the traits of a child prodigy, being especially advanced in certain realms and socially handicapped in some fundamental ways. Odd johnolaf stapledonfree downloadpdf epubfreeditorial. Though continuing to work with the supermind idea that comprises parts of his previous works last. 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. Methuen, 1935 etext well, said john, im thought queer because i have more brains than most children. Odd john a story between jest and earnest ebook by olaf. Odd john by olaf stapledon, first edition abebooks. Stapledons answers are by no means romantic fantasies. Apr 15, 2015 the genius that is olaf stapledon one of the great and really undervalued science fiction writers. Pdf star maker book by olaf stapledon free download 272 pages. And odd john has a plan to create a new order on earth, a new supernormal species. In 2014, he was inducted into the science fiction and fantasy hall of fame. The first edition of the novel was published in 1935, and was written by olaf stapledon.
Star maker is a science fiction novel by olaf stapledon, published in 1937. If and when a superior being is introduced into a culture, how will either. Odd john project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. 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. Though continuing to work with the supermind idea that comprises parts of his previous works last and first men and last men in london, the novel sees stapledon breaking fresh groundor at least a new tangent in a familiar domain. Pdf odd john book by olaf stapledon free download 209 pages. Odd john is a boy born in england, who has neotenous features, along with strangely white hair. Odd john is the definitive fictionalization of the mutated superman. Very good plus condition with collectors notes and attched new bookplate. 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. Methuen, 1935 well, said john, im thought queer because i have more brains than most children. 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. Written from a narrators perspective, odd john is a pretty unique piece of fiction.
He has a way of insulting or at least irritating people just with his inquisitiveness. Odd john olaf stapledon novel wideawake character profile. I mean, paul klee was a genius, but i just dont get the relevance. 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.
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. Download olaf stapledon s odd john for your kindle, tablet, ipad, pc or mobile. After a strange birth and childhood, john is suddenly compelled to accept the fact that he is different. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Two of the finest future histories ever written, each concerning a central question. 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. This is an audiobooks presentation using tts texttospeech synthesis technology. Odd john is his masterwork and paired with nigel carringtons narration im struggling to think of a more potent audio book. Book reading is made simple and easy where texts are displayed along with highlighted paragraphs and. He develops at first extremely slowly and is thought to be a moron, but then his mental, and after that his physical. Pdf star maker book by olaf stapledon free download 272. The term homo superior originated there, as did several of the themes for mutant books. Olaf stapledon a project gutenberg of australia ebook ebook no 0601111h.
The influence of odd john is particularly felt by marvel fans. 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. Ordinary humans were just playthings to john subjects for an endless chain of experiments. It is science fiction in its loftiest form a novel of ideas. A story between jest and earnest the garland library of science fiction authors. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 209 pages and is available in paperback format. A story between jest and earnest is a 1935 science fiction novel by the british author olaf stapledon. 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. The first edition of the novel was published in 1937, and was written by olaf stapledon.