Bug Jack Barron by Norman Spinrad
"Bug Jack Barron" is a novel centered around a compelling journalist named Jack Barron, who grapples with maintaining his integrity while facing pressure from Benedict Howards, the owner of the Human Immortality Foundation. The story unfolds as Barron investigates a controversial bill linked to Howards, leading to a series of manipulative encounters. After a fellow senator dies under dubious circumstances, Barron discovers Howards’ ulterior motives, including a groundbreaking immortality procedure that comes with disturbing implications.
As Barron navigates personal conflicts, particularly regarding his rekindled relationship with his former wife, Sara, he finds himself entangled in a web of moral dilemmas involving public relations and the ethics of immortality. Their situation escalates when they are forcibly anesthetized and undergo an immortality procedure that implicates them in horrific acts against children. The narrative raises profound questions about power, morality, and the lengths individuals will go to protect loved ones. Ultimately, Barron decides to expose the truth, leading to significant political upheaval, and sets the stage for a dramatic transformation in American politics, with a hidden agenda to support a more equitable future.
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Subject Terms
Bug Jack Barron
First published: 1969 (serial form, New Worlds, 1967-1968)
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Science fiction—extrapolatory
Time of work: The mid-or late 1980’s
Locale: New York City
The Plot
Jack Barron is a charismatic journalist trying to retain both his job and his integrity. Benedict Howards, owner of the Human Immortality Foundation, alternately bribes and threatens Barron, seeking his support. Ultimately, Howards makes an offer that Barron cannot refuse.
As the book opens, Barron seizes on a charge of racism as a hook to explore the Freezer Utility controversy. He makes on-air calls to the foundation; to Senator Hennering, who supports a monopoly bill Howards wants; and to Lucas Greene, the black governor of Mississippi and Jack’s longtime friend. Hennering gives a limp defense of the bill, enraging Howards. Soon after, Hennering dies under suspicious circumstances. Howards investigates Barron and learns the television host’s weakness: He still loves his former wife, Sara.
Howards bribes Sara to reunite with Barron. Sara seizes the opportunity, sure that together, she and Barron can outwit Howards. The two rediscover the joy they shared as young lovers.
Barron questions Howards on the air. Privately, Howards admits that the foundation has developed an immortality procedure. He offers Barron the million-dollar operation for free in exchange for public support. They bargain warily, and Barron offers only to do contractual public relations work for the foundation. When he and Sara sign immortality contracts, Howards urges immediate surgery. Barron equivocates. He believes that Howards still hides dangerous secrets but hopes that his seeming cooperation will tease them out.
On Barron’s next show, Franklin, a “kook” caller, bemoans selling his daughter. Barron makes no connection until Howards blasts him for doing the interview. Barron decides to question Franklin further. As the two walk together, a sniper fires at them, killing Franklin.
When Barron and Sara go to confront Howards, his aides forcibly anesthetize them. When they wake, they are “immortal.” Howards then shows Barron some purchased children, who have been irradiated to stop the aging process. The children die a terrible death, and their transplanted glands provide immortality to others. Howards points out that Barron’s and Sara’s contracts say that they “accept full legal liability for any results of the treatment.” This proves them to be accomplices to murder, he says.
Barron hopelessly agrees. By himself, he would expose Howards, risking a murder charge, but he cannot bear to put Sara in the same jeopardy. When they next make love, pleasure turns to disgust. Sara asks what is wrong, and Barron reluctantly reveals the secret.
Sara, horrified, takes LSD when Barron leaves for his next show. On vidphone, she says that she is freeing him, then jumps from their balcony. Barron tells the whole story on the air.
His revelations drive Howards insane and reshuffle American politics. Barron and Lucas Greene are nominated on a coalition presidential ticket. Barron’s secret plan is to resign if he wins, giving the United States its first black president, and to continue wielding power his own way, through television.