Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/

What it says on the label.
--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

On 07/09/2022 09.10, James Nicoll wrote:
> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/

Wyndham's "Re-Birth" (a/k/a "The Chrysalids") has a mutant
as the protagonist/POV. When the story opens, neither he nor
anybody else knows that he's a mutant, because telepathy is
not a visible mutation.

It's lucky for him, too, because the society into which he
was born doesn't even acknowledge a birth until an inspector
confirms that what came out is a human and not an Offense,
which would have to be disposed of. (The inspectors don't
just inspect offspring of humans, they also inspect farm
animals, crops, etc.)

As a telepath needs somebody to communicate with, he learns
that several other kids in the area (the village of Waknuk,
if I recall correctly) are also Offenses in the same way that
he is.

Then things get messy.

--
Michael F. Stemper
Why doesn't anybody care about apathy?

On 9/7/2022 9:10 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
>
> What it says on the label.

I've read the Daybreak-2250 A.D., in fact, it is on my reread list.

The Perry Rhodan series extensively features mutants, both humanoid and
non-humanoid (Pucky / Gucky !).

Lynn

In article <tfaq7s$a36p$1@dont-email.me>,
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>On 9/7/2022 9:10 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
>> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
>> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
>>
>> What it says on the label.
>
>I've read the Daybreak-2250 A.D., in fact, it is on my reread list.
>
>The Perry Rhodan series extensively features mutants, both humanoid and
>non-humanoid (Pucky / Gucky !).
>

Paul Atreides: Mutant or no?
--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..

On Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 4:19:29 PM UTC-4, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
> In article <tfaq7s$a36p$1...@dont-email.me>,
> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >On 9/7/2022 9:10 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
> >> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
> >> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
> >>
> >> What it says on the label.
> >
> >I've read the Daybreak-2250 A.D., in fact, it is on my reread list.
> >
> >The Perry Rhodan series extensively features mutants, both humanoid and
> >non-humanoid (Pucky / Gucky !).
> >
> Paul Atreides: Mutant or no?

No, just carefully bred, over many generations.

pt

On 9/7/2022 3:19 PM, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
> In article <tfaq7s$a36p$1@dont-email.me>,
> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On 9/7/2022 9:10 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
>>> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
>>> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
>>>
>>> What it says on the label.
>>
>> I've read the Daybreak-2250 A.D., in fact, it is on my reread list.
>>
>> The Perry Rhodan series extensively features mutants, both humanoid and
>> non-humanoid (Pucky / Gucky !).
>>
>
> Paul Atreides: Mutant or no?

Yes.

Lynn

On 9/7/2022 4:44 PM, pete...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 4:19:29 PM UTC-4, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
>> In article <tfaq7s$a36p$1...@dont-email.me>,
>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On 9/7/2022 9:10 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
>>>> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
>>>> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
>>>>
>>>> What it says on the label.
>>>
>>> I've read the Daybreak-2250 A.D., in fact, it is on my reread list.
>>>
>>> The Perry Rhodan series extensively features mutants, both humanoid and
>>> non-humanoid (Pucky / Gucky !).
>>>
>> Paul Atreides: Mutant or no?
>
> No, just carefully bred, over many generations.
>
> pt

Bred for certain traits released by spice. Mutant.

Lynn

On 9/7/2022 3:35 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> On 9/7/2022 4:44 PM, pete...@gmail.com wrote:
>> On Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 4:19:29 PM UTC-4, Ted Nolan
>> <tednolan> wrote:
>>> In article <tfaq7s$a36p$1...@dont-email.me>,
>>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> On 9/7/2022 9:10 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
>>>>> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
>>>>> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> What it says on the label.
>>>>
>>>> I've read the Daybreak-2250 A.D., in fact, it is on my reread list.
>>>>
>>>> The Perry Rhodan series extensively features mutants, both humanoid and
>>>> non-humanoid (Pucky / Gucky !).
>>>>
>>> Paul Atreides: Mutant or no?
>>
>> No, just carefully bred, over many generations.
>>
> Bred for certain traits released by spice.  Mutant.
>
Then all the Bene Gesserit are mutants as well. As are Guild
Navigators. Then there are the ghouls....

--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.

Lynn McGuire wrote:

<snip>

> The Perry Rhodan series extensively features mutants, both humanoid and
> non-humanoid (Pucky / Gucky !).

My original thoughts precisely ... except, on second thought, Pucky's
psi powers are part of his genetic makeup - every Vagabond mousebeaver
possesses similar characteristics.

###

Meanwhile, on my way through the century mark (Moewig Nr. 100
"Der Zielstern" / Ace # 92 "The Target Star") an emotional Odepius Rex
arc concluded (for the time being). On the topic of an Athenian tragedy,
Rhodan's iris color coincidentally correlates to the grey eyed Athena,
both symbolically and figuratively.

Scheer spellbound me with "Der Zielstern." It reprises rays, reversed
relative to Nr. 1 "Unternehmen 'Stardust'". In the latter story green
rays strike first, then Rhodan meets Thora later. But in "Der Zielstern"
Auris appears first:

"...to Auris of Las-Toor: determine origin of aliens. Also find
out how they succeeded in penetrating the time screen." ...

"The willowy figure of a goddess," Stant continued, unperturbed.
"With long wavy hair of the colour of old copper that gave off a
hint of green in certain light angles. The slim straight nose of
a Greek noblewoman, the full lips of a Spaniard and the proud
indifference of a British queen. There was ice in those green
sphinx eyes of hers, but when she saw Perry she started breathing
about 2.5 times as fast."

This Scheer story nearly knocked Darlton off his perch as my favorite
author. Until Darlton redeemed himself as hilarity ensued in the next
installment, Nr. 101 "Der Weltraum-Tramp:"

Pucky's mouth was slightly agape. His single incisor tooth seemed
to lend a melancholy expression to him and it was so strange that
even Bell refrained from laughing. It was only Torero who seemed
ready to make an issue of it. He fluttered his wings excitedly.
"Hey-a-fang-face-fly-catcher!" the bird croaked out loudly and
clearly. Pucky snapped his mouth shut but he still remained
silent. This creature had a mind-and what a curious one it was!
Since the potential perils of the encounter did not materialize,
Rhodan was enjoying the performance both visually and audibly.
Even the other officers had come closer to watch. They had never
yet seen the mousebeaver at a loss for repartee. Until now.

Thus far, Darlton's apparently acts as the franchise's wise-guy. In all
probability, Pucky pounced, or rather sprang, forth fully formed from
Darlton's brow, in the manner of Athena.

Danke,

--
Don.......My cat's )\._.,--....,'``. https://crcomp.net/reviews.php
telltale tall tail /, _.. \ _\ (`._ ,. Walk humbly with thy God.
tells tall tales.. `._.-(,_..'--(,_..'`-.;.' Make 1984 fiction again.

On Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 8:10:47 AM UTC-6, James Nicoll wrote:
> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
>
> What it says on the label.
> --
> My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
> My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
> My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
> My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

I would add Genetic Soldier by George Turner

On Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 8:10:47 AM UTC-6, James Nicoll wrote:
> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/

I am suitably astonished. For once, you picked five examples that approximated
what other people would think of when searching for five examples for your
theme.

John Savard

On 8 Sep 2022 at 01:48:06 BST, "Dimensional Traveler"
<dtravel@sonic.net> wrote:

> On 9/7/2022 3:35 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>> On 9/7/2022 4:44 PM, pete...@gmail.com wrote:
>>> On Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 4:19:29 PM UTC-4, Ted Nolan
>>> <tednolan> wrote:
>>>> In article <tfaq7s$a36p$1...@dont-email.me>,
>>>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> On 9/7/2022 9:10 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
>>>>>> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
>>>>>> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What it says on the label.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've read the Daybreak-2250 A.D., in fact, it is on my reread list.
>>>>>
>>>>> The Perry Rhodan series extensively features mutants, both humanoid and
>>>>> non-humanoid (Pucky / Gucky !).
>>>>>
>>>> Paul Atreides: Mutant or no?
>>>
>>> No, just carefully bred, over many generations.
>>>
>> Bred for certain traits released by spice. Mutant.
>>
> Then all the Bene Gesserit are mutants as well. As are Guild
> Navigators. Then there are the ghouls....

Ghouls? No memory of them.

Oh - autocorrect for ghola?

Cheers - Jaimie
--
Homographic homophonic autantonyms: "They're words
that do their job in the most sullen, passive-aggressive
way possible, and they totally get away with it!"
-- http://www.qwantz.com/index.php?comic=1104

On 2022-09-07, James Nicoll <jdnicoll@panix.com> wrote:

> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/

James Blish, _Jack of Eagles_. Not that I remember anything about
it, but maybe somebody else will.

Robert Silverberg, _Dying Inside_, about a telepath who is losing
his power.

--
Christian "naddy" Weisgerber naddy@mips.inka.de

On 9/8/2022 4:48 AM, Jaimie Vandenbergh wrote:
> On 8 Sep 2022 at 01:48:06 BST, "Dimensional Traveler"
> <dtravel@sonic.net> wrote:
>
>> On 9/7/2022 3:35 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>>> On 9/7/2022 4:44 PM, pete...@gmail.com wrote:
>>>> On Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 4:19:29 PM UTC-4, Ted Nolan
>>>> <tednolan> wrote:
>>>>> In article <tfaq7s$a36p$1...@dont-email.me>,
>>>>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> On 9/7/2022 9:10 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
>>>>>>> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
>>>>>>> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What it says on the label.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've read the Daybreak-2250 A.D., in fact, it is on my reread list.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The Perry Rhodan series extensively features mutants, both humanoid and
>>>>>> non-humanoid (Pucky / Gucky !).
>>>>>>
>>>>> Paul Atreides: Mutant or no?
>>>>
>>>> No, just carefully bred, over many generations.
>>>>
>>> Bred for certain traits released by spice. Mutant.
>>>
>> Then all the Bene Gesserit are mutants as well. As are Guild
>> Navigators. Then there are the ghouls....
>
> Ghouls? No memory of them.
>
> Oh - autocorrect for ghola?
>
Ya, let's go with that. ;)

--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.

On 9/7/2022 9:10 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
> Five SFF Stories Featuring Mutant Protagonists
> https://www.tor.com/2022/09/07/five-sff-stories-featuring-mutant-protagonists/
>
> What it says on the label.

And of course there is the awesome Pip and Flinx series by Alan Dean Foster.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/034530280X

And Psion / CatsPaw / Dreamfall by Joan D. Vinge.
https://www.amazon.com/Psion-Joan-D-Vinge/dp/0440971926/

Even Heinlein played with mutants by having telepathic twins, one went
on a starship and one stayed on Earth for interstellar communication.
https://www.amazon.com/Time-Stars-Robert-Heinlein-ebook/dp/B01N9IMIZQ/

Lynn