The Devil's Asteroid

by Manly Wade Wellman

"The Devil's Asteroid" by Manly Wade Wellman is a science fiction novella written in the early 20th century. The book explores the themes of evolution and devolution through the lens of human exile on a peculiar asteroid. The narrative follows Fitzhugh Parr, a man exiled to the asteroid by Martians, where he confronts not only the harsh realities of survival but also the horrific consequences of reverse evolution that strips humans of their humanity. As the story unfolds, Parr discovers that the asteroid’s environment causes Terrestrial exiles to regress into bestial forms over time. In his struggle to assert leadership among the exiled men, he faces opposition from former leaders and contemplates escape back to Earth. Along the way, Parr befriends a band of degenerate yet loyal beast-men, contending with the societal challenges and moral dilemmas inherent in their degeneration. When a chance for escape arises, he grapples with the implications of returning to a world unprepared for the dimmed humanity of his companions. Ultimately, with the arrival of rescuing forces and revelations about the nature of their predicament, Parr confronts the hidden complexities of both loyalty and survival within this alien environment.