More Than Human

By: Theodore Sturgeon

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki, Harlan Ellison

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

In this genre-bending novel, among the first to have launched sci fi into literature, a group of remarkable social outcasts band together for survival and discover that their combined powers render them superhuman.

There's Lone, the simpleton who can hear other people's thoughts; Janie, who moves things without touching them; and the teleporting twins, who can travel ten feet or ten miles. There's Baby, who invented an antigravity engine while still in the cradle, and Gerry, who has everything it takes to run the world except for a conscience. Separately, they are talented freaks.

Together, they may represent the next step in evolution - or the final chapter in the history of the human race. As they struggle to find whether they are meant to help humanity or destroy it, Sturgeon explores questions of power and morality, individuality and belonging.

©1981 The Theodore Sturgeon Literary Trust (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"One of the best science fiction novels of the year." ( New York Times)
"A quantum leap in the development of science fiction as an art." ( Washington Post)
"A masterpiece of provocative storytelling." ( New York Herald Tribune)

Still great!

Such a difficult concept to wrap one’s head around (Homo Gestalt) but Sturgeon does it with a master’s touch. Believable, and deeply moving at the end.

Stands the test of time

It was odd to reread a book that I first read as a small boy almost 70 years. No wonder I loved this author.

Beautiful words, wonderfully spoken

This book was a wonderfully read by Stefan Rudnicki and the fantastic storyline and beautiful ending was a truly pleasure to listen to, This book was written in the 1950s but stands tall today as a great novel. This coming from someone who isnt a Science Fiction fan. - a wonderful book.

Bleshing with Superhuman Homo Gestalt

Theodore Sturgeon's More than Human is comprised of three parts, the first of which (my favorite) concerns several misfit outcast kids with powers of teleportation, telekinesis, and the like, and a "fabulous idiot." This part is lyrical, strange, humorous, and moving. And Stefan Rudnicki reads it perfectly, with his deep voice and thoughtful inflections. The second part, read with passion and panache by Harlan Ellison, depicts the first person narration of one of the outcast kids who is visiting a psychiatrist to find out who and what he is and why he has done what he has done. Ellison uses a squeaky boy's voice for Gerry, a calm adult voice for Dr. Stern, and appropriate voices for the other people who speak in this part. His reading of the last line, "What the hell is morality, anyway?" is terrifying. In the mostly fascinating third and last part, again read by Rudnicki, Hip Barrows attempts with great difficulty to remember his past far back enough to get over an imposed mental block.

It is interesting to compare Theodore Sturgeon's novel with Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End: Both were published during the Cold War in 1953 and feature the "next" stage of human evolution, but both depict very different ideas about that evolution and hence very different ideas about the nature of humanity and transcendence. More than Human is better written, more moving, more optimistic (almost too much so), and more human, but less sublime than Childhood's End.

Anyway, More than Human is a thought-provoking science fiction classic, well-read by Rudnicki and Ellison.

Great story, 1 poor narrator

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I found the story to be enthralling, an truly interesting take on the next step of human evolution.

What did you like best about this story?

The general story and overarching concept really stretched my imagination. The concept of a gestalt organism is fascinating and is wonderfully explained throughout the story.

Did Stefan Rudnicki and Harlan Ellison do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The first and last narrator were fantastic, I believe it was Stefan Rudnicki. Harlan Ellison's voice did not fit his role and was difficult to hear and understand at times.

Was More Than Human worth the listening time?

Yes it was.

Sci-fi at it’s apex

I read this before - a long time ago (yes, I am THAT old)- but, by coming back to it, the experience was quite different - more hopeful. I highly recommend this story for every generation now and to come.

very creative good reader

I enjoyed this book it was very creative and interesting the readers were very good

A New Favorite

I listened to this a week ago and I can't stop thinking about it. Truly a wonderful and deeply enjoyable sci-fi masterpiece.

enjoyed this early and later in life

I read this in the 80's in hard over and enjoyed it a great deal. many years later, I hear the audio and enjoyed it again. I found the hopefulness uplifting.

Rudnicki Ellison Gestalt Brings Sturgeon Classic to Life

The novel is in three parts and the first is a slow build but it pays off in the rest of the novel.

The heart of the book is Part 2 Baby is Three, which is the novella that was expanded into the novel. It’s a joy to hear Harlan Ellison perform this section. It’s POV is perfect for him.

I’ve had it in my library for years and glad I finally gave it a listen.