Searching for a stable planet, an alien arrives on Earth in a badly damaged spaceship. Using his advanced knowledge of science, he sets himself up as the head of a corporation with the intention of privately building a spaceship with which to ferry his people from their dead world to Earth. As he struggles to understand human nature and complete his task, he runs afoul of human greed, corruption, and vice, and becomes embroiled in the decadence and wastefulness of a society bent on self-destuction. A classic novel of science fiction by the author of THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT and THE HUSTLER.
The Man who fell to earth could be a real tale about man's return to earth. According to Thomas Jerone Newton, his people originally populated the earth. Now he is an alien who seems to be a human. While he is very thin so are many earth people. Yet his internal organs are different so he cannot seek medical assistance for any injury or illness. His society has progressed technologically far beyond where earth's population.
Why was Newton returning to earth? The answer is simple and logical. Their world is dying and his people need to find a place where they can continue to live. The obvious solution is earth, the world they originally settled. However, the people on the planet have changed or evolved into another race.
Newton knows he can bring much to earth but soon learns that earthlings are not ready to accept the developments he can share. They view his presence as the beginning of an invasion. In the view of most, he is a spy checking out the possibility of invasion. He has studied the culture of earthlings for years. Even though he knows he is an alien and missed his planet and the culture he left behind. And, he experiences deep loneliness.
Yes, Newton encounters a world he cannot completely understand in spite of the years spent studying the planet and its people. Because of the technological knowledge he brings he builds huge corporation and becomes a very healthy individual. He discovers alcohol and finds he is not immune to alcoholism.
Readers experience not just science but much about human nature and politics. And, the suspicion of a people who fear not just change but invasion by another species. That suspicion may lead earth on its self destructive path. They do not understand that Newton's people can help prevent the extinction they seem intent on pursuing. And, Newton himself is torn about who he has become. Is he more a human than an alien?
All in all this is a simple story but a tale that looks deep into the society that has developed on earth that in its weakest points result in destroying all we know. Well written and quick to read, this is a book that may well remain in your mind for a long time.
Why was Newton returning to earth? The answer is simple and logical. Their world is dying and his people need to find a place where they can continue to live. The obvious solution is earth, the world they originally settled. However, the people on the planet have changed or evolved into another race.
Newton knows he can bring much to earth but soon learns that earthlings are not ready to accept the developments he can share. They view his presence as the beginning of an invasion. In the view of most, he is a spy checking out the possibility of invasion. He has studied the culture of earthlings for years. Even though he knows he is an alien and missed his planet and the culture he left behind. And, he experiences deep loneliness.
Yes, Newton encounters a world he cannot completely understand in spite of the years spent studying the planet and its people. Because of the technological knowledge he brings he builds huge corporation and becomes a very healthy individual. He discovers alcohol and finds he is not immune to alcoholism.
Readers experience not just science but much about human nature and politics. And, the suspicion of a people who fear not just change but invasion by another species. That suspicion may lead earth on its self destructive path. They do not understand that Newton's people can help prevent the extinction they seem intent on pursuing. And, Newton himself is torn about who he has become. Is he more a human than an alien?
All in all this is a simple story but a tale that looks deep into the society that has developed on earth that in its weakest points result in destroying all we know. Well written and quick to read, this is a book that may well remain in your mind for a long time.
