Gladiator
by
Philip Wylie
An enduring classic in speculative fiction and the reported inspiration for the original comic hero, Superman, Gladiator is a melancholic tale of a boy set apart because of his unique gift and his lifelong struggle to come to terms with it.
Paperback, 334 pages
Published
April 1st 2004
by UNP - Bison Books
(first published 1930)
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I picked up Gladiator because I heard it was an inspiration for Doc Savage and Superman. That is an understandment.
Gladiator is the story of Hugo Danner. Hugo is the son of a scientist who injected him with a serum when he was still in the womb, giving him unbelievable strength. For example, Hugo kills a bully at school with his superhuman strength, branding him an outsider for the rest of his life.
Over the course of the book, Hugo goes from relationship to relations...more
Gladiator is the story of Hugo Danner. Hugo is the son of a scientist who injected him with a serum when he was still in the womb, giving him unbelievable strength. For example, Hugo kills a bully at school with his superhuman strength, branding him an outsider for the rest of his life.
Over the course of the book, Hugo goes from relationship to relations...more
This book is interesting more for its historical significance than for its story. Professor Abednego Danner has been experimenting to overcome disease and infirmity, and succeeds far better than he imagines. After a stunning success with the family cat, he subjects his pregnant wife to the same technique, resulting in Hugo, a baby that is in almost all ways, superhuman.
Hugo is brought up to keep his abilities secret, and we follow his life from childhood to college to early adulthood...more
Hugo is brought up to keep his abilities secret, and we follow his life from childhood to college to early adulthood...more
I finished reading Gladiator last Thursday before going on vacation. It’s a classic work of science fiction by the co-author of When World’s Collide (1933). This is the first novel that I read partly on my Nook and partly with a paper copy.
I read the first half of from a free eBook I downloaded from ManyBooks.com and the other half from a paperback book published by Bison books.
When I started into the paperback in took me a while to find my place and noticed that I had ...more
I read the first half of from a free eBook I downloaded from ManyBooks.com and the other half from a paperback book published by Bison books.
When I started into the paperback in took me a while to find my place and noticed that I had ...more
Speculative fiction by Philip Wylie. It was published in 1930 Alfred A. Knopf. Many people point to this novel as the origins for many pulp and comic-book superheroes. The story is about a young man, Hugo Danner, whose father, while Hugo was still in the womb injected him with a serum that turned Hugo into a superior man (Captain America). He grows up to be stronger, faster, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound... he's bullet-proof (Superman).
The story is about Hugo's search t...more
The story is about Hugo's search t...more
I've been meaning to read Gladiator for years, since it is something which I consider "geek homework" (subcategory "further reading") - most anyone who has delved into the genesis of American superhero concepts knows how the creators of Superman were in no small part influenced by a pulpy novel about a super-strong, nigh-invulnerable young man named Hugo Danner. I always advocate going back to sources firsthand - and I always advocate reading pulp adventure. Gladiator hasn'...more
This is a great book, way ahead of its time. It is a lot deeper than people may think from the storyline. My dad recomended this book to me when I was a teenager. He had read it in High School in the 50's. I in turn recomended it to my friends who all loved it. It covers a lot (historically) of the early 20th century. War, college football, steel mills, Coney Islands & Mayan Excavations. Many of the topic's that it covers are pertenant today, such as bullying. I have read a lot of books ...more
"Gladiator" by Philip Wylie is thought to be the book from which Superman was derived. Hugo Danner is the strongest man on earth. His father, Professor Abednego Danner, attempts to duplicate the strength displayed by small insects. He tests a solution he creates on tadpoles, and a kitten, before finally drugging his pregnant wife, Matilda, and injecting it into her abdomen. The result is a bullet-proof, super strong, super fast baby boy.
Aside from similarities in abilities...more
Aside from similarities in abilities...more
I first heard of Gladiator when it was mentioned as the inspiration to Superman. I wouldn't say that the two have all that much in common, but its clear to see to what degrees it influenced the basic elements of Superman.
Gladiator is not very long and reads rather fast. The language is old, but doesn't bother when you read at all. It follows the life oh Hugo Danner, which has amazing powers. The story revolves around him trying to fit in with different people and circumstances - jus...more
Gladiator is not very long and reads rather fast. The language is old, but doesn't bother when you read at all. It follows the life oh Hugo Danner, which has amazing powers. The story revolves around him trying to fit in with different people and circumstances - jus...more
The origin of the Superman character. Timeless anti-hero, dystopian superhero existence. This book pre-dates the modern comic book hero and places him in a more realistic experience.
What would it really be like for a person with superhuman strength and speed?
What would it really be like for a person with superhuman strength and speed?
Kayleigh
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Kayleigh by:
read for imaginative lit class
Shelves:
sci-fi
Probably the cheesiest thing I've ever read. Florid prose, flat characterizations, heavy-handed and preachy storytelling--I really can't think of anything good to say about this one. Other than its historical significance as a superhero-story prototype, there's really no reason to read it.
Full Review
"I mean, wow. There's an anticlimax for you."
"I mean, wow. There's an anticlimax for you."
Definitely a product of it's time, but a fascinating story. You can really tell how this started the trend of super hero stories.
Had to read this one. The general consensus is this is the story that lead to Superman. Didn't turn out to well for the Gladiator.
Foundation for the Superman character or not, this book is dull and dated.
I don't know what made me pick this one up. nothing to write home about but rather a depressing view of mankind. Watched the movie hancock a few days ago which reminded me of this book.
rec. by Chick DiNatale- inspiration for sueperman
Wylie at his best
Jess Ray
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Born in Beverly, Massachusetts, he was the son of Presbyterian minister Edmund Melville Wylie and the former Edna Edwards, a novelist, who died when Philip was five years old. His family moved to Montclair, New Jersey and he later attended Princeton University from 1920–1923. He married Sally Ondek, and had one child, Karen, an author who became the inventor of animal "clicker" training....more
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