Odd John (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Story Between Jest and Earnest (Sci-Fi Novel)By Olaf Stapledon
Length9h 32m
About this audiobook
Odd John is a philosophical science-fiction novel that follows John Wainwright, a mutant "supernormal" whose extraordinary intelligence and emotional detachment place him beyond ordinary humanity. Written with Stapledon's characteristic blend of speculative audacity and cool, essayistic narration, the book examines evolution, ethics, sexuality, and the tragic loneliness of superior consciousness. Published in 1935, it belongs to the interwar tradition of scientific romance, yet anticipates later treatments of posthumanity and the uneasy moral gulf between Homo sapiens and its possible successors. Olaf Stapledon, trained in philosophy and deeply marked by the catastrophes and ideological ferment of the early twentieth century, brought to fiction a rare combination of metaphysical imagination and social concern. His experiences in the First World War, his pacifism, and his academic interest in ethics inform Odd John's central tensions: progress versus compassion, intelligence versus sympathy, and utopian aspiration versus historical violence. Stapledon was less interested in adventure than in the destiny of mind itself. Readers drawn to speculative fiction of intellectual seriousness will find Odd John both unsettling and rewarding. It is recommended for those interested in the origins of posthuman thought, the moral ambiguities of evolutionary fantasy, and science fiction as a vehicle for philosophical inquiry rather than mere technological wonder.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.2 (26)
Includes Amazon, Goodreads
GenreScience Fiction, Literary Classics
Length9 hrs 32 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJan 8, 2021
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5CHAPTER I JOHN AND THE AUTHOR
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6CHAPTER II THE FIRST PHASE
7CHAPTER III ENFANT TERRIBLE
8CHAPTER IV JOHN AND HIS ELDERS
9CHAPTER V THOUGHT AND ACTION
10CHAPTER VI MANY INVENTIONS
11CHAPTER VII FINANCIAL VENTURES
12CHAPTER VIII SCANDALOUS ADOLESCENCE
13CHAPTER IX METHODS OF A YOUNG ANTHROPOLOGIST
14CHAPTER X THE WORLD’S PLIGHT
15CHAPTER XI STRANGE ENCOUNTERS
16CHAPTER XII JOHN IN THE WILDERNESS
17CHAPTER XIII JOHN SEEKS HIS KIND
18CHAPTER XIV ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
19CHAPTER XV JACQUELINE
20CHAPTER XVI ADLAN
21CHAPTER XVII NG-GUNKO AND LO
22CHAPTER XVIII THE SKID’S FIRST VOYAGE
23CHAPTER XIX THE COLONY IS FOUNDED
24CHAPTER XX THE COLONY IN BEING
25CHAPTER XXI THE BEGINNING OF THE END
26CHAPTER XXII THE END
27Analysis
28Reflection
29Memorable Quotes
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