Invader on My Back

by Philip E. High

In the far future, the world has fallen to chaos with the criminal elements controlling the cities and vast police forces ruling the unknown wilderness beyond. Only one man, unknowingly, holds the key to the state in which society finds itself - a man named Craig. Craig, however, is an outcast, a pariah, feared by organised crime and despised by the police who, despite themselves, are compelled to use him. This is the tale of how Craig fights back - against forces unknown - and of his attempts to reinstate himself into a society that has rejected him.

Genres: Science Fiction

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpected pleasure to read, one of the best scifi books I've read this year along with Station Breaker, Orbital & A For Andromeda.

Invader On My Back starts off a little strangely mentioning humans called Norms, Scuttlers, Stinkers & Delinks however it all soon becomes apparent that Norms are basically normal people, Scuttlers are people who can't look at the sky, Stinkers are people who other people can't stand to be around and become violent in the presence of (towards the Stinker) and Delinks are delinquents. How does this fit into the story? It's set far into the future, the figure of 400 years is mentioned so perhaps circa 2368 depending on when that 400 years begins. In this future humanity has evolved into these four distinct groups, and this story follows Craig, a stinker, who is given hired by the Police Research Institute to meet another Stinker for research purposes.

Shortly thereafter we learn there's a 5th type of evolutionary divergence happening within the population and following this Craig's research brings to light other goings on on the planet relating to the Invaders of the books title.

Whilst it's quite a short novel at 176 pages, it really is excellent and very much worth the read.

[Karen A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick, light 50s sci fi with a few interesting ideas. Typical High: something/someone influencing humans resulting in the mess we see; the discovery of and overcoming of the Influence releases humans to utopian life and relationships, marked by telepathic bonding of protagonist and perfect mate, which is typical of the new order of human who also have various other (possibly telepathic) capabilities and much technological advanced stuff. (first read High in grade school and go back to him when I need to escape complex reality). Don't look for memorable characters, character development - or anything other than story development. early-mid 20th C speech and values.

[Sally Lucas Cumro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun (in an intensely sci-fi sort of way). New ideas that I’d never read before were refreshing. People-otherwise normal- who scuttled like rats outside because of their terror of the open sky? Missiles that follow at a walking pace until within ten feet of target? Yes yes and yes!!

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 2 out of 5]

When it came to SF ideas, High supped from the horn of plenty. Yet his prose here is amateurish, his grammar appalling, and his depiction of women beyond cringeworthy (even for the time). An alien invasion narrative in dire need of editing.

[Scifimoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable read from a classic SF period.

[Anthony Norelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea and the story are both excellent. I just reread this and enjoyed it just as much as I did back in the 1970's. Seeing what is possible with CG I'm a little surprised this hasn't been made into a movie.