The Synthetic Man by Theodore Sturgeon
"The Synthetic Man" is a story centered around Horton "Horty" Bluett, an adopted child facing extreme loneliness and abuse from his cruel stepfather, Armand. At eight years old, Horty escapes his dire situation, taking along his only companion, a jack-in-the-box named Junky. He finds refuge with a traveling carnival, where he befriends Zena, a midget who helps him discover his unusual abilities and talents. As he learns that he is not fully human but an extraordinary creation of extraterrestrial crystals, Horty grapples with his identity and the powers that come with it.
The narrative explores themes of self-discovery and resilience, as Horty utilizes his unique ability to change his form to confront a malevolent carnival owner, Monetre, who seeks to exploit the crystals. The story culminates in a clash between Horty and Monetre, ultimately leading to Horty's victory, albeit at a cost. Rather than pursuing a romantic relationship with Kay Hallowell, the girl from his past, Horty chooses to remain with Zena, emphasizing a bond rooted in shared origins and understanding. Overall, "The Synthetic Man" delves into the complexities of identity, belonging, and the struggles against both personal and external demons.
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The Synthetic Man
First published: 1957 (also known as The Dreaming Jewels, 1950)
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Science fiction—superbeing
Time of work: The 1940’s
The Plot
At the age of eight, Horton “Horty” Bluett is a lonely, unhappy adopted child whose best friend is Junky, a crudely made jack-in-the-box with strange-looking jewels for eyes. His sadistic stepfather, Armand Bluett, subjects the boy to relentless psychological and physical abuse, on one occasion cutting off three of his fingers by slamming a closet door on his hand. Horty decides to run away, taking Junky with him.
Horty says good-bye to a little neighbor girl named Kay Hallowell, the only person who has ever shown him any kindness. He steals a ride aboard a passing truck and finds himself among a group of freaks traveling with a carnival. Horty is befriended by a beautiful midget named Zena who disguises him as a girl and teaches him to sing and play the guitar. They become a popular duo and remain together for nine years, during which time Horty does not appear to mature, although he regenerates his three amputated fingers.
The fact that Horty can change the size and shape of his body at will makes it apparent that there is something radically different about him. He discovers, through Zena’s tutelage, that he is not a human being but a creation of extraterrestrial crystals that have somehow found their way to Earth. The crystals have the power to create nearly perfect imitations of life-forms, not as a means of personal reproduction but as a type of artistic activity. Zena confides that she is not a human being but a botched creation of the “dreaming jewels.” Junky’s eyes are dreaming jewels that the unknown maker of that crude toy had used unwittingly, and these jewels had created Horty.
Using his extraordinary powers, Horty wills himself to develop into a full-grown man. He gets a job as a guitar player in a club near his former home. This brings him into contact with Kay Hallowell, who has grown into a beautiful young woman. She is being persecuted by Horty’s lecherous adopted father, who has become a judge and wields considerable local power.
Monetre, the owner of the carnival, hates people and wants to spread suffering. He has collected some of the living crystals but cannot control them sufficiently to suit his fiendish purposes. When he learns that Horty is not human but an exceptionally successful creation of the crystals, he initiates a campaign of terror against Horty’s carnival friends in an effort to compel Horty to become his tool in obtaining complete mastery over the crystals. Monetre joins with Armand Bluett, who can offer him legal protection.
Horty’s weapon is his ability to change his body into any form he chooses. Monetre, however, has acquired telepathic and telekinetic powers. They wage a titanic battle from which Horty emerges battered but victorious. Instead of remaining with the beautiful Kay Hallowell, Horty elects to go off with the miniature Zena because, both being creations of the supernatural crystals, they are perfect soulmates.