Brother to Demons, Brother to Gods

by Jack Williamson

We can recreate the human race - if we dare. A prophetic novel set in a vast future multiverse.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Collections, Fantasy

186 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

John Stewart Williamson who wrote as Jack Williamson (and occasionally under the pseudonym Will Stewart) was a U.S. writer often referred to as the "Dean of Science Fiction".

Reviews

[Tomislav]

This is a story set in multiple universes of a far future humanity/post-humanity. Through genetic engineering (a term which Williamson is credited with inventing), there are premen (people like us), trumen (genetically perfected humans), mumen (mutants specialized for space, or life on other worlds), stargods (telepathic immortals). There are also the mythical Fourth Creation, even more powerful beings whose genetic code is hidden within the remaining premen population. In this setting, two small children Davey Dunahoo and Buglet grow up on a premen reservation on Earth, and gradually become aware of their own status in the complicated human landscape. Despite the technological justification, the cultural milieu resembles fantasy writing, with nearly omnipotent gods wielding supernatural powers. Davey and Buglet’s survival is as much a matter of gaining the sympathy of powerful allies, as it is of developing their own agency.

This novel is a fix-up of five previously published novellas, mostly from Analog in the late 1970s. The parts are the following:

1. Stepson to Creation, first published in Analog January 1977
2. Slave to Chaos, first published in Galileo October 1977
3. Kinsman to Lizards, first published in Analog July 1978
4. Brother to Demons, first published in Analog August 1978
5. Brother to Gods, first published in Analog December 1978

It turns out I have previously read Brother to Gods in that December 1978 Analog, when it was new. Since I did not have the context of the prior four novellas at that time, it alone was not very satisfying. In this case, I now know the whole story, and found it to be entertaining but not that noteworthy.

[Megan M.]

A really cool concept dealing with genetic engineering of human beings. A nice, fictional read. Some parts are a bit difficult to picture because of the awkward descriptions from the author, but not too confusing! The book ties in Christian elements along with Greek mythology and twists the stories to create a novel idea of humans before gods.

[Simon]

A tale of oppression and a desperate plight to survive and discover latent power buried in their genes.

[Urbano Solis]

Can’t remember where I picked this up, but the title and summary on the back piqued my interest. The lore was interesting, I liked the idea of genetic engineering creatures/gods stronger than oneself and regretting it, “old” myths and religions (relative to the far-in-the-future setting) still being believed in, the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter from the Creators of said gods, the whole book scratched an itch I didn’t know I had.

I wish it was a bit longer, I haven’t checked if this is a series, but the ending seemed a bit abrupt. Maybe I was just too focused and read the last quarter too fast, but it could have had a bit more.

[Bart Hill]

When Gods are afraid of those they loathe, how will they react when they're faced with a more powerful deity? A fun, insightful read by Jack Williamson

[Scott Geddes]

Early Jack Williamson novel. Easy read with an interesting plot twist.

[James]

Mass Market Paperback: 193 pages Publisher: Berkley

[Jay Wright]

remind me to stop with the old sci fi

[Rodney]

I read this book many years ago. It made a lasting impression on me. Some reviews are posted on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Demons-....

[Howard]

4

[peracle]

Best phrasing I've ever seen in a book, but the philosophy of it was ridiculous

[Ian]

Read this in Analog many years ago. Clever and fast moving story.