Subject
Parasites -- Fiction Books
Best books
Robert Abernathy
Strange Exodus
"Strange Exodus" by Robert Abernathy is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. It explores themes of survival and adaptation in a post-apocalyptic world where gigantic, mindless monsters consume all life on Earth. The story centers around the character Westover, who grapples with the horror of humanity's impending doom as he navigates a world transformed by these extraterrestrial invaders. The narrative follows Westover's harrowing journey as he finds himself alone in a landscape devastated by the monsters. After discovering that he can survive by living off the creatures themselves, he faces the psychological and physical challenges of existing as a parasite on their backs. Throughout his struggle for survival, he engages in thought-provoking discussions with other survivors, contemplating human nature, adaptation, and the weight of humanity's past actions in the face of overwhelming existential threats. As Westover and his companions seek a way to coexist with the monsters, they grapple with the implications of becoming "endoparasites," pondering the balance of survival and the sustainability of their new existence.
Hayden Howard
It
"It" by Hayden Howard is a science fiction novel written in the early 1950s. The book revolves around a group of Earthmen who explore a desolate, alien city, uncovering dark secrets and facing a peculiar and malevolent force that threatens their lives. The narrative delves into themes of control, survival, and the struggle against an unseen enemy. The story follows a captain and his crew as they venture into a decayed city on a distant planet, where they soon realize they are not alone. As they explore, the captain becomes possessed by a parasitic entity that seeks to control his actions and turn him against his crew. The tension escalates as the alien influence leads to violence and disarray among the crew members. The captain struggles to regain control over his body and ultimately must find a way to free himself and his companions from the terrifying entity. As the narrative unfolds, the novel explores the nature of fear and autonomy, culminating in a harrowing confrontation that tests the limits of humanity in the face of an alien menace. Ultimately, they must band together to ensure their survival and find a way back to Earth.
Bill Garson
The Little Pets of Arkkhan
"The Little Pets of Arkkhan" by Vaseleos Garson is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1940s. This work explores the topic of mind control and the potential consequences of alien encounters, framing its narrative around the struggles of human characters in the face of a parasitic alien intelligence that threatens their autonomy. The story follows Kent Knight and his shipmates, who crash on an asteroid inhabited by strange, furry creatures whose psychic powers can overtake human minds. Kent Knight grapples with the invasive presence of the "Thing," which seeks to dominate his thoughts and will. Throughout the narrative, Knight experiences a range of physical and mental challenges as he attempts to reclaim his identity and fight back against these alien invaders. Other crew members, including the ship's captain and a fellow astronaut named Sammy, show varying degrees of succumbed control to the Arkkhans, and Knight’s battle becomes a race against time to save not only himself and his companions but potentially all of humanity as they head back toward Earth.
Roger D. Aycock
Unwelcome Tenant
"Unwelcome Tenant" by Roger D. Aycock is a science fiction novel written during the early 1950s. The story explores profound themes of consciousness and identity through the journey of the protagonist, Robert Maynard, who discovers an unsettling truth about human existence and the control exerted by parasitic entities. It raises questions about freedom, individuality, and the potential for humanity's evolution beyond such influences. The narrative follows Maynard as he embarks on a solo journey to Mars, feeling a deep sense of pioneering triumph and newfound freedom when he realizes he has been host to a parasitic intelligence all his life. After this entity abandons him during his approach to Mars, Maynard experiences a profound expansion of consciousness and intelligence. He dreams of liberating humanity from these controlling Tenants, imagining a future where free men could build a new civilization. However, as he descends toward Mars, he is confronted with the chilling realization that these entities may also exist on the red planet, leading to a haunting uncertainty about his newfound freedom and the battle against these unseen forces.
Charles V. De Vet
Metamorphosis
"Metamorphosis" by Charles V. De Vet is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book revolves around a protagonist’s search for his former best friend, Howard Zealley, who has undergone a radical transformation due to a symbiotic infection that grants humans enhanced abilities at a grave cost. Set in an era of advancing technology and interplanetary tensions, the story delves into themes of identity, the human condition, and the moral implications of scientific experimentation. In the narrative, Max Calof embarks on a relentless quest to find Howard Zealley, following a trail of clues that reveal Zealley's drastic changes after being infected on a mission to an uninhabitable planet. As Max encounters various obstacles and confronts Zealley's dark and egotistical transformation, he learns about the perils of their symbiotic relationship and the impending doom it poses not only to themselves but to humanity as a whole. The story builds tension as Max navigates treacherous encounters while grappling with the existential implications of their shared experience and the choices made in a quest for survival and redemption. The climax reveals a harrowing encounter between Max and Zealley, culminating in a bitter reflection on the choices that lead them down divergent paths.
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