The Human Front

PM's Outspoken Authors #10

by Ken MacLeod

Winner of a Prometheus and Sidewise Award, this science fiction novella is a comedic and biting commentary on capitalism and an exploration of technological singularity in a posthuman civilization. As a world war rages on without an emerging victor, the story follows John Matheson, an idealistic teenage Scottish guerilla warrior who must change his tactics and alliances with the arrival of an alien species. This alternate history and poignant political satire flips hero types and expectations, delivering a lively tale of adventure—as dramatic and thought provoking as it is funny. Also included is an interview with the author and two essays that relate his poignant views on social philosophies.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Alternate History, Speculative Fiction, Politics, Novella

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Ken MacLeod is an award-winning Scottish science fiction writer.

His novels have won the Prometheus Award and the BSFA award, and been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards. He lives near Edinburgh, Scotland.

MacLeod graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in zoology and has worked as a computer programmer and written a masters thesis on biomechanics.

His novels often explore socialist, communist and anarchist political ideas, most particularly the variants of Trotskyism and anarcho-capitalism or extreme economic libertarianism.

Technical themes encompass singularities, divergent human cultural evolution and post-human cyborg-resurrection.

Reviews

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hoot...what a ride! I can't imagine how the author works in the past and still makes a future worth dreaming about. He's just better at it than the other guys from the 1970s & 1980s.

This alternate history novella, with a few explanatory notes following, gives the reader a real workout. There are a few points where I was sure I understood what he was doing...and was I ever wrong. When he decided to show me the real deal, I thought I was a bit dim for not getting it. Still love being off the beam, when we get to go this way. If you're in the mood for a read that doesn't mean what you think it means, you could do worse but not a lot better.

[Paul Ataua · Rating 4 out of 5]

A plane crashes and there is something strange about the pilot. Could it be a child? Could it be an alien? Things are immediately covered up. ‘The Human Front’ is a well thought alternate history in which WWII doesn’t end until 1963 and in which the Soviet Union is invaded forcing Stalin to become its leader in exile. Short and sweet story that uses science fiction to make a political statement.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding political alt-history novella with some very surprising twists. If you are keen to read about a hard-left guerilla war in the UK, this story is for you. Thoughtful, well-crafted story that I enjoyed, despite having zero sympathy with leftist revolutionaries. MacLeod's writing is as good as ever, but the politics struck me as more strident than usual. 3+ stars for the story

Also included are MacLeod's story notes, a nice essay on the geography of the future, and a fabulous interview by Terry Bisson that's almost worth the price of admission in itself. 4+ stars for the essays and interview. Overall, 3.5 stars. On reflection (2018), I'm rounding it up. Nice book.

Note that the story itself was first published in 2001, and has been reprinted several times, most accessibly in the Dozois 19th Years Best (2002). But I somehow missed reading it until now. (2016)

[Kersplebedeb · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great quick meditation on the 20th century. Not a surprise that the author was briefly a Spart, which are probably the 2nd-most-tankie-trots (the Marcyites of course win by a mile) i have encountered. The interview was not one of Bisson's best, but the story itself was stellar. And as with the other PM Outspoken Authors alt-history title (K.S. Robinson's Lucky Strike) the author's reflections on the story were at least as interesting. Well worth checking out if you, like me, spend large amounts of time pondering the significance of 20th century maoism, trotskyism, and "real existing socialism".

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When making my Friday visit to the library and browsing the "M" section this book jumped out because I liked the look of Ken Macleod as pictured on the cover of this thin paperback. I have never read any of his works because I honestly never browse SF. After enjoying this book I will look forward to sampling more of his writing. He is a talented writer and executes this alternate history in a praiseworthy efficient manner.
From the first sentence, you know you are entering an altered universe with a change of Stalin's death. Our narrator is extremely engaging, starting as young man waiting for his father, the doctor, to finish with his patients somewhere in Scotland.
A great deal of dialogue passes between the father and son regarding political views, but within the framework of normal family life and going to school the father and son have a singular experience with a bomber. The pilot of the bomber needs help, the father provides medical assistance and these two must make a pact to never discuss the physical appearance of the pilot.
I have no wish to spoil this creative story for others. I heartily recommend this very fun alternate history in which even dinosaurs make an appearance.
Having clicked on the title here in goodreads I see it is available through KINDLE UNLIMITED.
In the 2013 paperback from PM Press there is entertaining interview as well.

[Spad53 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t really think much of this book. I think it was an attempt to go back to old-style SF, and write something with flying saucers in it. My problem is that I got tired of that kind of SF back in the early 70’s, and it seems, it’s still not my thing.
I’m still curious about Ken MacLeod, after all he was a good friend of Iain Banks, so I’ll probably get back to him.

[Micah Sisk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take MacLeod's Star Fraction series, blend it with his Engines of Light trilogy, boil it down to novella size, and sprinkle in some highly fictionalized autobiographical elements and Bob's yer Uncle. This is a splendid social/economic/political/alternate history/flying saucer tale. In addition you get a couple of short essays and an interesting interview with the author. Couldn't ask for much more. A nice neat gem. Very well written; concise, engaging, inventive and somewhat humorous. Pretty much classic MacLeod and well worth a read.

[Curt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting alternative history involving aliens. No, I do not remember where I was on the day Stalin died. I do remember the entire day when John F. Kennedy was shot. Perhaps this is because I was not born and raised in Glasgow. I also did not know Gaelic was the language of heaven because the bible is written in Gaelic. Perhaps I need an interlinear translation to be certain of the accuracy of my reading.

[Xan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro es al mismo tiempo un ejemplo de lo mejor de una novela corta y a la vez de lo peor a la hora de resolverla.
No soy fan de MacLeod, solo he intentado leer otro libro de este escritor (Ciudad Motor) y lo dejé en el segundo capítulo. Pero la idea de una novela corta era muy atractiva para pasar una tarde y me lancé a por ella. Y me encantó, al menos el primer 75% de la novela. Esta parte de la novela es un magistral ejemplo de lo que se puede conseguir a partir de un "what if...?", que habría pasado si la Segunda Guerra Mundial hubiese acabado de otra forma y Stalin hubiese muerto derrocado despues de una larga revolución. De forma breve y concisa MacLeod nos guía de la mano del protagonista por su evolución desde la niñez hasta la edad adulta y las consecuencias de sus decisiones. Cada paso en este juego de ajedrez es lógico y coherente, con la escalada del conflicto calcada a lo sucedido en Vietnam y Afganistan y otros muchos lugares en la época en que está ambientada la novela.
Y aquí la fastidia. La resolución de la trama es mediocre en comparación con el resto del relato, buscando una salida fácil para poder cumplir con el pliego de condiciones del premio o desbaratando una buena idea por las prisas. No es una mala idea, ha sido utilizada muchas veces, pero por eso mismo no aporta casi nada nuevo cuando podría haber sido un desenlace increíble.

De todas formas es una novela muy recomendable, y más por el gesto de la editorial "Grupo Ajec - FiccionBooks" de ofrecerla gratuítamente en amazon un par de días. Teniendo en cuenta que se publicó en el 2001 y que por su extension (unas 75 páginas) no es rentable la publicación individual en papel, ponerla en circulación como ebook es una buena forma de dar a conocer a un escritor fuera de su círculo de lectores.

Resumiendo: hasta la página 60 cuatro estrellas, de ahí en adelante se queda en tres.

[Soph Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aliens and guerrilla warfare, two things unexpectedly mashed together in a delightful fashion; and some after-novella bonuses too, a common feature of this series that I love!

“Every alternate history has implications, explicit or otherwise, for how we think (or how the author would have us think) about the course history actually took.”

[James Neilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to read a Ken MacLeod book that I did not like, and this novella was a brilliant, and well thought-out, alternate history. The interview with the author and the additional essays are also very interesting. Need I say any more? Read this book...

[Gloin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bastante trivial y vista, por no hablar de la traducción, que me ha parecido bastante aproximativa. Entretenida pero prescindible.

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole series of Outspoken Authors is great. Even when I don't agree with the politics, its a good way to learn about authors you may not know.

[Türkay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daha iyi bir çeviri ve editörlüğü hakeden bir BK ...

[Pozan · Rating 3 out of 5]

İyi başladı ama bir nevi alternatif tarih anlatısı olduğu için 50'ler ve 60'lara dair çok fazla isim geçiyor ve çok fazla yerel isim var. Bunu bir kenara bırakabilirsek kurgunun akışında boşluklar var, büyük büyük atlıyor, seksen sayfalık bir hikayede karakterin çocukluğunu, gençliğini ve yetişkinliğini okuyorsunuz. Bir paragraf önce ortaokuldayken sonraki paragrafta direnişe katılmış tank çalan bir yetişkin oluyor ve arada bir bağ neredeyse yok. Çeviri de bu noktada okura yardım ediyor denemez. Okuduğuma pişman olmadım ama okumasaydım da bir şey kaybetmezmişim. Keşke biraz daha sindirilmeye müsait olacak şekilde uzun uzun yazılsaymış, temeli güzel aslında.

[Dylan Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful novella detailing an alternative history where a certain incident in New Mexico doesn't happen in 1947, and the world it creates.

I am a big fan of alternate history, and MacLeod does it in the best way. Where even the seemingly frivolous point of departure is reasoned out well and applied universally. The effect of the Roswell bomber being available has wide reaching consequences, and even in this slim book they are wonderfully explored.

There's some multiverse mumbo jumbo at the end that I didn't care for, but overall this was a great read. It's begging for an expansion or more stories set in the same world.

Great read!

[Comradeocean · Rating 4 out of 5]

/alt-history where the Soviet Union is invaded and Stalin becomes leader-in-exile/

yes good

/protracted people's war in the Scottish highlands/

nice nice go on

/guerrillas sabotage a train line and steal some tanks/

excellent yes pls

/spoilers spoilers spoilers/

wtf Ken MacLeod and damn guy so much for revolutionary optimism having the all powerful time travelling aliens support the imperialists

[El W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aslında yazışında ve çevirisinde bi kötülük yok, iyi sayılır. Ancak 2. dünya savaşı zaten yeterince sıkıcıyken alternatifleri de maalesef beni sıkıyor. WW2 görüşleri günümüzü bile gereksizce meşgul edip bizi buna maruz bırakırken böyle alternatif ww2 evrenleri okumayı kendim için gereksiz buluyorum. Kapaktan daha farklı bir hikaye ummuştum. Güzel yazılmış, betimlemeler yerinde ama sıkıcı yani. Yazar otobiyografisini biraz süsleyerek anlatmak istemiş.

[Liam Proven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful novella. Starts off as a fascinating alt-hist connect-the-dots that leaves you scrabbling for the differences, slides into a broader genre pastiche, and ends up somewhere totally unexpected. Ken having fun.

Includes a good in-depth interview, too.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful alternative political history with a touch of weird sci fi. First time reading Macleod. Won’t be my last.

[Arn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting novella, shame it wasn't expanded on more.

[Michele (Mikecas) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Da:

http://www.webalice.it/michele.castel...

Un racconto (racconto lungo o romanzo breve?) che scorre, che si legge con piacere, ma la scorrevolezza non può nascondere la fondamentale stupidità del tema centrale. Basare un racconto sull'ideologia, o ancora peggio sulla politica ancora attuale non è mai una scelta che porti a risultati positivi. Tutto sommato non c'è riuscito nemmeno China Mieville nel Il Treno degli Dei, nonostante l'enorme volume di fantasia, di allegoria e di utopia riversati a supporto. La parte più politica del romanzo è la sua parte più debole.
Nel caso di Human Front manca completamente la fantasia, e ci sono anche troppi punti deboli per poter almeno salvare il racconto. La descrizione di una società degradata socialmente, con uno sviluppo tardo-industriale asfittico, è ben fatta, ma del tutto ingiustificata, perchè non si riesce a capire come sia venuto meno lo sviluppo scientifico che è sempre conseguenza di quello militare, quando la guerra non è più uno scontro che assorbe totalmente le risorse, che quindi si rivolgono al mercato del consumo civile. Una guerra strisciante, più contro sacche di "resistenza" che scontro di eserciti avrebbe dovuto naturalmente sviluppare al massimo l'innovazione tecnologica, specialmente se "aiutata" da interventi esterni.
Macload si fa conquistare dal gusto dell'atmosfera preferita dimenticando la coerenza socioeconomica. Anche gli "alieni" sono a ben guardare abbastanza incredibili, maschere messe lì per dare una spiegazione, che è però molto carente. Pensare che la seconda guerra mondiale e lo scontro tra occidente e "paesi comunisti" risulti l'unico momento cruciale di tutta la storia umana, passata e futura, in cui le possibili diramazioni abbiano effetti così drastici da richiedere l'intervento dal lontano futuro (e poi perchè da due futuri così diversi, e perchè solo loro?) è abbastanza semplicistico e quasi puerile, in mancanza di alcuna ulteriore spiegazione.
Tutto sommato un primo impatto con questo autore tanto esaltato che non mi ha soddisfatto per niente. Cercherò altro di suo, perchè questo racconto mi sembra poca cosa.

[Benjamin Fasching-Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both MacLeod and the "PM Press Outspoken Authors" series conspired to raise my expectations, because they're both really great, but I was disappointed with where this story went. It felt like similar stuff to the end of the series that began with Cosmonaut Keep ... and I like that a lot more. The alternative history was interesting, but MacLeod took it somewhere else and I felt like the ending was rushed. The "plus..." portion of the book includes some essays and an interview that were fun, like something out of Locus Magazine would be. The best thing in the whole volume is when MacLeod threatens to write "a space opera that uses as many Golden Age tropes ... as I can rationalize ... (his) mental working title is Star Princesses of the Lost Galaxy." Oh hell yeah!

[David H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This special collection from the Outspoken Authors series has one novella, two essays, and an interview with the author.

"The Human Front" was an interesting alternate history tale that got increasingly stranger, following a young man who witnessed something strange as a child and as he grew older, became radicalized and joined a left-wing guerilla force, before veering yet again into the ending we received. It's definitely given me food for thought.

The two essays that followed were great, too--the first was more of his notes on "The Human Front" (including some of the alternate-history points of divergence) and the second was about using the places he grew up in his fiction. The interview was interesting enough, especially with MacLeod's discussion of Communist history in the UK and the US (I think he identifies as a Trotskyite?).

[José Vázquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una novela corta simpática, que durante tiempo mantiene el interés aunque el final sea un poco precipitado. Lo más interesante es el componente ucrónico, ambientado en una Tercera Guerra Mundial entre la URSS y los aliados y la historia del protagonista, un escocés que se convierte en jefe de la guerrilla maoísta combatiendo a los ingleses en su propio territorio. Quizá adolece de brevedad y un final que cambia todo el sentido del relato sin pistas previas y resuelve el misterio de fondo de una forma que pretende ser "impactante" pero no es muy lograda. Se deja leer, pero uno se queda con la sensación de que podría haber sido más.

[John Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lot of fun and I heartily recommend it. The edition I read comes with some extra articles written by the author and an interview with him, and from these it's clear he had a lot of fun writing the novella and wasn't striving for any deep and meaningful goal.

I suspect the novella will be mostly mystifying to younger readers. I'm a handful of years younger than Macleod and I found the novella fascinating for the memories it evoked of my childhood and thoughts of how different it could have been. In the end notes Macleod admits it is partly autobiographical. I suspect millenials and younger may simply find it pointless.

[Özgür Tacer · Rating 3 out of 5]

İskoç bilimkurgusunun önde gelen isimlerinden Ken MacLeod'a aşina olmak adına okudum. Derli toplu, iyi yazılmış bir alternatif tarih novellası. Gerçekçi ve doğalcı bir tınısı var. Karakter odaklı yazıldığı halde arka planda büyük siyasi ve sosyal meseleler tartışan eserlerden... Tek sorunu fazla "politize" olması: Yazarı her şeyden çok ilgilendiriyor gibi görünen sosyalizm tartışmaları kitabın odağını oluşturuyor ve buna ilginiz yoksa kitabın sizi çekmesi zor.

Türkçe baskısının da ciddi bir çeviri ve düzelti sorunu var: Her ikisi de baştansavma icra edilmiş. Ayrıntı gibi bir yayınevine yakışmıyor.

[Tyrannosaurus regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love things that are this...sensibly odd. The alternate history unfolds so captivatingly and then everything goes wonderfully sideways. And of course this edition of the novella includes some supplementary materials from the author which brings another level to the story, particularly for those of us who like talking and reading about the process of writing as much as we like stories.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is brilliant and does what the best science fiction does, use the trappings of science fiction to speak to the realities of history and the world. 4.5 stars. I took off half a star for it being slightly too didactic at times and a rushed ending.

[David Agranoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review coming. Cool introduction, I'll be checking out more of his work.