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The Parasite
The Parasite, a science fiction novella (40,000 words) by Neal AsherAfter mining complex ices deep in the Solar System, Jack Smith is concerned about his profit margin, but is it him who doesn’t want to face quarantine or something squirming inside him? The Cryon Corporation Director, Geoffry Haven, is also concerned about the bottom line and might consider Jack an expense he can no longer afford, though perhaps suitable for a starring role in a snuff movie. Meanwhile, the human and unhuman agents of World Health must investigate. Perhaps it’s time to deploy vat-grown killers and an anti-photon weapon, because the parasite is coming to Earth, and it’s hungry.The Parasite was first published by Tanjen Ltd as an illustrated novella back in 1996. Tanjen closed down a number of years later and since then the novella has been difficult if not impossible to obtain. There are copies out there, but checking recently I haven’t seen one for below $50.00, which is a hell of a lot for something only 130 pages long and perhaps only for completists. I’ve edited it again, thought I haven’t been too heavy-handed since I didn’t want to deliver something that had completely ceased to be the original. This is my first attempt at self-publishing through Amazon Kindle. I hope you all enjoy it!– Neal Asher“Once again, Neal Asher gives his reader a meal of such exquisite taste that you're left like Oliver, desiring more.” – Authortrek
129 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 19, 2020
This is an enjoyable story about what it means to be both human and fully sentient. The argument is a compelling one that true sentience requires an organism to overcome it's innate biological or electronic drives and make decisions that are not driven by those fundamental motives.
The simple example is a human choosing to use birth control in order to have sex for fun. But the explanations become very messy when the individual is an AI, or a possibly symbiotic relationship with a parasite organism.
I liked the story enough to give it four stars but I'm taking one away for the following reason. I just can't tell if this is set in the polity universe or not. It would have been before the Quiet War, and there are enough technological references to golems, AIs, and ceramal materials to make that link. But the events in the novella would have had profound influences on humans that I don't see in the Polity novels, so maybe it's a Kelvin timeline alternate reality of the Polity? Not sure.
Anyways, worth reading, but if you are like me you will have some dissonance trying to fit it into a broader picture.
The simple example is a human choosing to use birth control in order to have sex for fun. But the explanations become very messy when the individual is an AI, or a possibly symbiotic relationship with a parasite organism.
I liked the story enough to give it four stars but I'm taking one away for the following reason. I just can't tell if this is set in the polity universe or not. It would have been before the Quiet War, and there are enough technological references to golems, AIs, and ceramal materials to make that link. But the events in the novella would have had profound influences on humans that I don't see in the Polity novels, so maybe it's a Kelvin timeline alternate reality of the Polity? Not sure.
Anyways, worth reading, but if you are like me you will have some dissonance trying to fit it into a broader picture.
July 31, 2024
The parasite is the first book that I've read from Neal Asher and concluded. I started something else and couldn't enjoy it. But since I've got a lot of his novels I try again. I enjoy the sci-fi novel but I don't think is something marvellous or top - it's after all one of the first things he wrote. This mean that I may enjoy other stuff.
This book we follow a person who has been collecting water from one of the Jupiter moon's. Something goes wrong but money is money. As he returns to earth he goes back to civilization with something within. The company that he works and remind one of those multi-billion all over the place (think umbrella corporation) leave him be. As he moves throughout the city people died. Some people from the CDC (or equivalent) tries to control the infection and capture him. That part was good rat and cat stuff.
The world is quite interesting, remind me of cyberpunk kind of book. Enjoy it but at times was a bit confusing.
This book we follow a person who has been collecting water from one of the Jupiter moon's. Something goes wrong but money is money. As he returns to earth he goes back to civilization with something within. The company that he works and remind one of those multi-billion all over the place (think umbrella corporation) leave him be. As he moves throughout the city people died. Some people from the CDC (or equivalent) tries to control the infection and capture him. That part was good rat and cat stuff.
The world is quite interesting, remind me of cyberpunk kind of book. Enjoy it but at times was a bit confusing.
February 27, 2026
This one was quite fun!
January 26, 2023
Symbiotic Cyberpunk Thriller
I accidentally discovered this book when I thought I had read everything by Neal Asher, and I dived right into it. The Parasite is an early work, written sometime during the 90s. It’s rougher around the edges than his later works, but that didn’t make it any less good. On the contrary, it was totally unputdownable. We follow Jack, an ice comet miner for The Cryon Corporation, a dying profession as automated drones are taking over. On his last run he harvests more than just ice, and the game is on. The Parasite has all the right vibes: The Thing, Demolition Man, The Terminator, Leviathan, and so on. Good times! The only downside with this story is … that it’s too short!
I accidentally discovered this book when I thought I had read everything by Neal Asher, and I dived right into it. The Parasite is an early work, written sometime during the 90s. It’s rougher around the edges than his later works, but that didn’t make it any less good. On the contrary, it was totally unputdownable. We follow Jack, an ice comet miner for The Cryon Corporation, a dying profession as automated drones are taking over. On his last run he harvests more than just ice, and the game is on. The Parasite has all the right vibes: The Thing, Demolition Man, The Terminator, Leviathan, and so on. Good times! The only downside with this story is … that it’s too short!
November 13, 2017
I was introduced to Asher through a recommendation from Iain M. Banks, by way of my Kindle. You know, "if you liked this author you'll like 'Author X'". That sort of thing. I've heard of the Polity Universe, but have not checked it out. After reading this self-published novella from Asher's distant past, I'm more inclined to do so. While The Parasite is messy and ends incredibly abruptly, I enjoyed the majority of the read. It's violent and action packed with some fun cyber punk ideas thrown in. Bonus point for being able to finish it during a short domestic flight! Will be picking up Prador Moon or Gridlinked in the near future.
March 16, 2022
Surprisingly Great Story!
I was skeptical of the short page length but couldn't pass up a Neal Asher story on KU.
Really fun read! Drama, humor, pathos and a foreshadowing of Neal's future worlds.
Very satisfying.
I was skeptical of the short page length but couldn't pass up a Neal Asher story on KU.
Really fun read! Drama, humor, pathos and a foreshadowing of Neal's future worlds.
Very satisfying.
December 29, 2024
Weak start, but does build up the to pace I expect of Asher.
The main issue really is that it desperately needs some more thorough editing. The version I read is the version that Asher self-published through Amazon after the publishers of the original illustrated version (Tanjen Ltd) closed down, and I think the fact it's self-published is very overt—which is to say, in many places it reads more like a fanfic than a professionally published book.
For example the word "superfluous" is used twice in the first five pages (ironically both times surrounded by actually superfluous modifiers that an editor would remove). The majority of the dialogue in the first half is clunky and cliché, with a half heated attempt to acknowledge it in a meta joke: '"what is the meaning of this?" Bannerman asked, realising he'd been speaking in clichés for the last half hour'. Besides the clunkiness, there's also lots of grammar mistakes, and a spelling mistake on the blurb.
Asher notes that when deciding to self-publish this (the first of quite a few novellas he's self-published now), he chose not to be "too heavy-handed since I didn't want to deliver something that had completely ceased to be the original". I think that this was the wrong move, which has in turn only confirmed the fact that this is, in Asher's words, "perhaps only for completists".
That's all to say: by the end it's decent, and the themes were good (approaching, but shying away from, class war in parts; mainly focusing on more classic SF questions of android sentience etc) and anyone who's read a lot of Asher would probably still like it. It is, however, weaker, less well paced, and more error-riddled than his other publications.
The main issue really is that it desperately needs some more thorough editing. The version I read is the version that Asher self-published through Amazon after the publishers of the original illustrated version (Tanjen Ltd) closed down, and I think the fact it's self-published is very overt—which is to say, in many places it reads more like a fanfic than a professionally published book.
For example the word "superfluous" is used twice in the first five pages (ironically both times surrounded by actually superfluous modifiers that an editor would remove). The majority of the dialogue in the first half is clunky and cliché, with a half heated attempt to acknowledge it in a meta joke: '"what is the meaning of this?" Bannerman asked, realising he'd been speaking in clichés for the last half hour'. Besides the clunkiness, there's also lots of grammar mistakes, and a spelling mistake on the blurb.
Asher notes that when deciding to self-publish this (the first of quite a few novellas he's self-published now), he chose not to be "too heavy-handed since I didn't want to deliver something that had completely ceased to be the original". I think that this was the wrong move, which has in turn only confirmed the fact that this is, in Asher's words, "perhaps only for completists".
That's all to say: by the end it's decent, and the themes were good (approaching, but shying away from, class war in parts; mainly focusing on more classic SF questions of android sentience etc) and anyone who's read a lot of Asher would probably still like it. It is, however, weaker, less well paced, and more error-riddled than his other publications.
April 22, 2023
Terrific
A fun read! Neal Asher does an amazing job with this story. Blending future possibilities with the full range of human behaviors. The delight I find in his work is the delight in discovering how he makes me cheer for his protagonist while booing the bad guys. And wondering what plot twists will stretch my mind. Hooray for this one!
A fun read! Neal Asher does an amazing job with this story. Blending future possibilities with the full range of human behaviors. The delight I find in his work is the delight in discovering how he makes me cheer for his protagonist while booing the bad guys. And wondering what plot twists will stretch my mind. Hooray for this one!
October 29, 2026
Short and honest: The Parasite is a gorgeous, sad, slow thing that asks a lot of you. What worked: the prose, which is quiet and precise, and a final image I haven't shaken. What didn't: I stalled out around the halfway mark and needed a break. Recommend for patient readers who like language, skip for anyone who wants a quick read.
March 4, 2019
Yicky
Short but perfectly formed tale. An alien parasite, a human parasite and a cyborg battle their way to a fitting, and satisfactory, ending.
The Wonder Horse recommends this to anyone in need of a short escape with a thoughtful book.
Short but perfectly formed tale. An alien parasite, a human parasite and a cyborg battle their way to a fitting, and satisfactory, ending.
The Wonder Horse recommends this to anyone in need of a short escape with a thoughtful book.
May 19, 2019
Modern take on a classic tale. This is a riveting, fast-paced, well written story that is both plausible and fascinating. It has an open ending and personally by the end I wasn't sure who's side I was really on. 😉.
July 20, 2023
3.5/5
Oficiāli neskaitās daļa no ''Polity Universe'', bet mierīgi var uzskatīt par tās pirmo daļu vai pašu pirmo prīkvelu, jo redzami daudzu ideju aizmetņi. Nav tik labi nostrādāta un ''izdomāta'' kā vēlākie darbi, bet kā debijas darbs ir spēcīgs un interesants, par to apaļojums uz augšu
Oficiāli neskaitās daļa no ''Polity Universe'', bet mierīgi var uzskatīt par tās pirmo daļu vai pašu pirmo prīkvelu, jo redzami daudzu ideju aizmetņi. Nav tik labi nostrādāta un ''izdomāta'' kā vēlākie darbi, bet kā debijas darbs ir spēcīgs un interesants, par to apaļojums uz augšu
December 21, 2024
Great book if your really interested in hearing how hot every single character you meet is. Most of them are very hot and painfully aware of it. Interesting premise and it certainly moved rapidly but kinda disappointed with how one note it felt
June 26, 2026
Really enjoyed this one, been a long time since I last read it.
Quality storyline, good plot, simple but well put together - one of those plotlines that is extremely realistic and plausible.
Kep the pace going all through, genuinely found it hard to put down at times.
Quality storyline, good plot, simple but well put together - one of those plotlines that is extremely realistic and plausible.
Kep the pace going all through, genuinely found it hard to put down at times.
May 30, 2018
Short but sweet
Some of the basics of the Spatterjay virus, nicely laid out. Good story, a couple typos, but worth the time and money for sure.
Some of the basics of the Spatterjay virus, nicely laid out. Good story, a couple typos, but worth the time and money for sure.
January 30, 2019
A 1996 novella by Asher. Obviously not as accomplished as his later works. A trial run on some more complicated later used concepts. Just ok.
March 29, 2019
GOOD READ!
Fast paced. Interesting. Thought provoking. Good plot. Visionary and exciting sci fi thriller.
First time I read this author and will now read all his work.
Fast paced. Interesting. Thought provoking. Good plot. Visionary and exciting sci fi thriller.
First time I read this author and will now read all his work.
June 28, 2020
Fun
Well that was fun and, being by Neal Asher, well left of the field. Glad you resurrected this Neal, thank you.
Well that was fun and, being by Neal Asher, well left of the field. Glad you resurrected this Neal, thank you.
August 2, 2020
Fun quick read
Doesn’t really step outside similar stories but an enjoyable easy read. Save it for a trip or the beach and give it a chance.
Doesn’t really step outside similar stories but an enjoyable easy read. Save it for a trip or the beach and give it a chance.
January 16, 2022
Great read
Really fun read. Too short but throughly enjoyed every page. Well thought out plot. Hope there is a sequel. Highly recommend.
Really fun read. Too short but throughly enjoyed every page. Well thought out plot. Hope there is a sequel. Highly recommend.
March 11, 2023
Enjoyable simplistic SF romp
While neither complex nor deep this is a very enjoyable story with a few, well used, SF tropes used very well.
While neither complex nor deep this is a very enjoyable story with a few, well used, SF tropes used very well.
September 12, 2023
good enough.
Its an Asher
Its an Asher
November 6, 2023
great story
I like neal Asher’s writing but I think for 6.99 this was way over priced. Very short only spent2 hours reading.
I like neal Asher’s writing but I think for 6.99 this was way over priced. Very short only spent2 hours reading.
April 28, 2024
short story
Great short story read in typical Asher style, easy to engage and enjoy - managed to get intrigue, action and a believable future in a few short pages.
Great short story read in typical Asher style, easy to engage and enjoy - managed to get intrigue, action and a believable future in a few short pages.
October 17, 2025
This could've been really good if it didn't have so much going on.
March 29, 2026
Now classic Asher: Many nascent ingredients of the later novels; evil murderous corporations, autonomous androids, emerging non-human intelligent life forms.
August 23, 2026
I'm reading through Asher's backlist somewhat in a writing / publication order, and so far each novella has been better than the last. I'm so impressed.
August 21, 2017
A very good early novella. I read this one mostly during the eclipse of August 21, 2017.
January 30, 2015
I'm a big fan of Neal Asher, I've read several of his books and found them all very well written and very enjoyable. Science fiction based around strange organisms and bilogy in general.
Trying to locate this book was difficult until the advent of ebooks and able to get it online, hence why this book (one of his first) came later.
If you've never read his stuff before, I wouldn't recommned this as a first read by this author. The Skinner is a much more indepth book and a good introduction to his Universe.
This however is a short story and told reasonably well, but doesn't really go far enough. The premise is based on an alien orgnaism that infects an astronaut and gets taken back to Earth and the resulting mayhem. A good quick read which could have been taken further. If you have seen the movie "Species" then it gives you a general idea.
Trying to locate this book was difficult until the advent of ebooks and able to get it online, hence why this book (one of his first) came later.
If you've never read his stuff before, I wouldn't recommned this as a first read by this author. The Skinner is a much more indepth book and a good introduction to his Universe.
This however is a short story and told reasonably well, but doesn't really go far enough. The premise is based on an alien orgnaism that infects an astronaut and gets taken back to Earth and the resulting mayhem. A good quick read which could have been taken further. If you have seen the movie "Species" then it gives you a general idea.
June 23, 2011
A light and fast read, but the reality of it being an earlier work from a less developed author shows through. The lead character's self-awareness post-infestation is a bit hammy, and the resolution seems a little odd in the broader context of the universe that has developed since this was first published. Still fun, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews