Spiridon

by André Laurie, Michael Shreve (Adapter)

Andre Laurie was a one of Jules Verne's collaborators, a pioneer of science fiction as well as a prolific writer, militant journalist and even politician. In Spiridon (1907), a young surgeon discovers an island off the coast of Corsica inhabited by giant, intelligent ants. Their king, Spiridon, eager to learn more about humanity, goes to Paris where, using his advanced knowledge, he begins effecting miraculous cures before being unmasked by jealous competitors. Forced to protect himself, Spiridon reveals his alien nature and becomes a killer.Spiridon, a non-humanoid alien gifted with knowledge, scientific curiosity, but no human emotions, the victim of mankind's fears, is a ground-breaking science fiction character and a striking departure from both Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Michael Shreve is a writer and translator currently living in Paris. His credits include translations of John-Antoine Nau and Marcel Schwob.

244 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

Pseudonym of Paschal Grousset

Reviews

[Ed Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I read it more for historical curiosity, to see what a piece of SF from early 1900s would be like. As SF it isn't terribly interesting compared to more contemporary works. But as an adventure story, it takes several interesting twists and turns and kept me interested. I appreciated the fact that it isn't as optimistic as lots of early SF, especially American SF, is.

[Atom Bezecny · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Then there's the detail that Spiridon spends most of the book in a wax mask and fake gloves. I know it's fiction, but unless Cordat's colleagues were 90% blind I can't imagine them mistaking wax prosthetics in 1907 for real human flesh. These people are goddamn doctors! They should know what a person looks like!"

Full review at Adam Mudman's A-List: http://mudmansalist.blogspot.com/2017...

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young Doctor on a sailing holiday discovers a hidden civilization of giant, intelligent ants.

So, obviously he brings one, the title character, to Paris with him and uses its advanced science to take the medical world by storm.
He is then stuck between jealous rival doctors, a curious press and his new partner's alien view of morality.

Wonderfully bizarre and full of great, odd ideas, it kind of falls apart because in trying to poke fun at 'civilized morality', nearly every human character comes across as a selfish, short-sighted jerk and the ant, who is much more straightforward and honest in his views, is able to justify some pretty horrid behavior as he really doesn't see human life as precious in any way.

Who the heck do you root for?

Plus, you get the moralizing pretty quick, so it quickly becomes heavy handed and with a pretty unlikable cast, you just kind of wander around wondering if you should get attached to any character.

Then the ending is really abrupt and trite, as the writer tries for a sort of happy ending.

Great ideas, uneven story and leaves you want either a sequel or another writer to come along and continue the story.