Odd John by Olaf Stapledon
"Odd John," subtitled "A Story Between Jest and Earnest," is a science fiction narrative that explores humanity's reaction to a being of superior intelligence, encapsulated in the character of John Wainwright, a mutant representing the next step in human evolution, known as Homo superior. The story is presented through the perspective of a narrator who is writing John's biography. John, marked by his unusual appearance and exceptional intellect, struggles to fit into human society from a young age. After a traumatic encounter with a neighborhood boy, he becomes increasingly focused on physical strength and understanding humanity, leading him down a path of crime and wealth accumulation through inventive and speculative ventures.
As John matures, he grows disillusioned with humanity, recognizing that his capabilities set him apart. In search of others like him, he retreats to the mountains, eventually connecting telepathically with fellow "supernormals." Together, they establish a remote colony aimed at fostering spiritual perfection away from human interference. However, their utopian efforts are ultimately thwarted when their island is discovered by world powers. Faced with imminent invasion, John and his companions choose to obliterate themselves rather than engage in warfare, culminating in a dramatic conclusion that raises questions about evolution, isolation, and the nature of society.
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Odd John
First published: 1935
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Science fiction—superbeing
Time of work: 1910-1933
Locale: Primarily England and a small island in the Pacific Ocean
The Plot
Odd John (subtitled A Story Between Jest and Earnest) deals with one of the most pervasive questions of science fiction: How will humanity react when confronted with a being of superior intelligence? The narrator is writing a biography of John Wainwright, a mutant who represents the next step of evolution, Homo superior.
The narrator begins by describing John’s odd appearance, precocious intelligence, and early education. Too disruptive to attend school, “Odd” John masters specific subjects, such as mathematics and biology, as they interest him. When a neighborhood boy beats John, the young prodigy becomes obsessed with two ambitions: to become physically powerful and to “understand his fellow human beings.” He attains the first ambition, using his strength to thrash the boy who hurt him.
The second ambition leads him to realize the need for money. Now nine years old, he turns first to burglary. After committing a series of unsolved crimes, he is caught in the act by a policeman, but he escapes by murdering the officer. John next earns a small fortune as an inventor of labor-saving devices. He then enlarges his wealth by speculating in stocks.
Now fourteen years old, John devotes himself to social behavior that the narrator describes as outrageous and disgraceful. The narrator also reports that John is growing increasingly bored and disgusted with human beings. Without warning, John disappears for a month, and it turns out that he has gone off into the mountains to “prove that he could stand by himself.” In the wilderness, John reconciles himself to two facts: that he is a new form of being superior to Homo sapiens and that humanity will not be able to tolerate him or allow him to develop his talents. He also makes telepathic contact with other individuals of similar intelligence and resolves to find them. He tells his biographer that he wishes to join with these “supernormals” to found a colony in a remote part of the world where human beings will not bother or be threatened by them.
The final portion of Odd John concerns John’s attempt to create this new society. He persuades twenty-one other supernormals to move with him to an island in the South Pacific. There he plans to build a social environment that will enable the inhabitants to reach the spiritual perfection that they desire.
Once the colony is thriving, John summons the narrator both to see it and to hear John’s account of its founding. Unfortunately, the island is discovered by a passing British ship. The six Great Pacific Powers—the United States, England, France, Holland, Japan, and the Soviet Union—send a massive fleet of warships to attack the island. The supernormals, having decided to destroy themselves rather than turn their efforts to war, send the narrator away. As the invaders approach, they blow up the island and themselves.