152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1,1968
Omnivore turned out to be a much better science fiction novel than I initially anticipated. Years ago, as a teenager, I attempted to read it but couldn't get beyond page 25. It starts rather slowly, and the plot, which is pieced together through a series of flashbacks and episodic scenes, might have frustrated me back then. It reads like a mystery novel, with everything not falling into place until the very end. However, with greater patience and a more refined appreciation for complex fiction now, I found myself enjoying both the story and the accompanying ideas.
To briefly introduce the plot without spoiling anything: Explorers from Earth have landed on the planet Nacre, where they encounter alien life and a strange ecosystem. An investigator named Subble,赋予了超人的力量 and a mission by an unnamed government director, must uncover what the explorers have learned and what it means for Earth's future.
The novel's biggest drawback is its inconsistent attempt to present understandable characters. The only female character is mostly just a sex symbol, and the three main male characters are underdeveloped. We only know the bare minimum about the human characters that the plot requires. However, Piers Anthony has imagined some truly original and fascinating aliens. I appreciate that he even develops the characters and motives of the aliens to some extent. Additionally, the plot is a strength. It progresses at a good pace and contains exciting action sequences that are enjoyable to read.
Omnivore is more than just a great adventure story. It presents ideas that compelled me to think more deeply about Earth's ecology and mankind's impact on our planet. That's why I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. Although it was written way back in 1968, the author's ideas seem increasingly prescient and are even more relevant today than they were then. As one of the characters, Cal, declares, \"Man is an omnivore, figuratively as well as literally. He consumes everything\" (p. 114).