Can’t wait for the honeymoon!

 

English edition.

To Marry Medusa by Theodore Sturgeon.

Sturgeon manages to take some classic figures in a seemingly pulpy story like this and spice them with a very creative shift in perspective. A peculiar chap as always.

First of all, I tend to seek/read as little as I can about plot and details in general before starting a book and feel that in this case, it was rewarding to do so. My experience was like a clumsy child running after someone on a bike, I had no clue or clear idea why parts of the narration were presented and well… what was happening. Don’t worry, it doesn’t take too much to catch up and it is a short book too.

One disclosure point I have to throw out there is my personal terror/fascination with the idea of an invaded individuality, I can’t seem to let go from my goblin hands the concept of individual self, sorry for me, no can do Nirvana. This personal fascination will tip the balance for sure.

The first part of the book is like setting the orchestra, with its players tuning the instruments: we are presented with a set of characters in a wide range of circumstances: the nefarious drunk, a rapist about to attack, one chaotic delinquent intrigued by a clever police officer, a friend giving relationship advice, the sad child. The constant between the unrelated stories is an unflattering look at humanity, but avoiding dipping in the angst and drama, a bit like windows to random people.

As the music starts playing, it is Gurlik, the nefarious drunk, who carries the plot and… literally carries Medusa, the alien threat that seeks to absorb humanity in its own hive-mind and sends Gurlik in a somewhat funny path of knowledge, using the information acquired to put in motion its plan.

When the music is raging on, the pace quickens, the battle starts and the puzzle takes shape. Let´s stop here with the plot and just add some thoughts for after-reading.

Spoilers ahead.

I had some trouble absorbing the positive outcome while I was reading it, like my mind would not take that path until it was evidently clear, and even then I had to slow down, to munch the notion of a positive hive-mind. In part, I guess it is because my personal rejection, but also, it was a very quick fix for a very complex struggle. Overcoming humanity´s nasty side by individual and collective fulfillment is an impossibility in my opinion, even in the story, the last bit regarding Gurlik supports my view (according to me, of course) by pointing out the conflict between one person who rejoices in misery and hate against the wellbeing of others: one´s fulfillment Is another´s disgrace. I don’t think humans are evil or doomed by default, nor the contrary, I just imagine it can’t be better by a quick fix. At the same time, I am not assuming it is as simple as it appears in the book, like other areas that are not extensively explored, about the characters, Medusa´s plan, humanity´s response and how that final shift really worked.

I do have in mind the logic behind the fix, that by fulfilling the individual needs and lacking (of love, opportunity, attention, care, value), there would be no Gurliks around… such a hopeful dream, hu? It would make a huge difference though.

Extra points for Gurlik´s reward by the way, it was the cheekiest touch.

End of spoilers.

Plotwise, you can read a lot of implications that are not specified and it isn’t a flaw, sure, it would be nice to have more details, but as a story, it works very well like that, it was neatly planned and executed by Sturgeon. The structure, length, pace and webbing are finely arranged and even if that fantastical resolution is not the “right” answer, it is asking worthy questions.

In some way, this book was more like 4 stars, but the extra star is just for the interesting questions that come forward, the hand pointing the way to that clumsy running child chasing funky ideas.