Brother Termite

by Patricia Anthony

Book Overview

From the author of Cold Allies comes a new novel--a skillful mix of Washington politics and numbing mind control, the story of a future America taken over by insect-like aliens. "Utterly moving, convincing aliens".--Kirkus Reviews.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441001874
• ISBN13: 9780441001873
• Release Date: April 1995
• Publisher: Ace Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A tour de force of writing

I read "God's Fire" and "Cold Allies" and enjoyed the author's quirky but brilliant style, especially the way aliens are so epehemeral, on the edge, non-human. In this book, a work that includes humor, mystery and science fiction, she ruminates on politics, culture, the future. The further one delves, the more one understands and admires the hero,(Reen-ja) and his travails. The only word to describe character development (Ms. Anthony's forte) is awesome. The President journeys from pitiful rambling politician to tragic hero. Marian carefully plots the dangerous path that brings betrayal and heartbreak. Reen succumbs to that most human of emotions, love, though he cannot change his nature. A cosmic tragedy awaits the only two sentient races in the Galaxy - humans the termites. These humanoid aliens evolved from insects and as such are hive creatures with allegiance to their Brothers and Cousins. Their life is set at birth (an aside to much like the still-strong Indian caste system). Both termites and humans are losing the ability to reproduce. In the termites case, the vast majority are now born mindless workers. The termites have undertaken to fuse two races into one that will stand the test of time. Experiments begin and children are born. We encounter murder, kidnapping, torture, investigations and surprises. The humor is always present - some of it slapstick but always with an edge. In fact the entire story has a shadowy nervousness as if one were waiting for the other shoe to drop. The commentary on rituals, customs,what it means to be human, are insightful and thought-provoking. The incredible ending with Reen's final thoughts was not only tragic but triumphant, a classic case of martyrdom for our fellow man or in this case, fellow termite. The reader feels a deep sadness mixed with a sudden understanding as we grasp not only his shock but acceptance. The scene of his traitorous brother, attempting desperately to stop the sacrifice, remains with the reader long after the book was closed.

A grandiose, breath-taking, bleak novel

Great. It's 20 years I read Sf, maybe even more, but this was really something. Out of alien abduction/Roswell/etc. trash Anthony made a wonderful novel, a good read (once you start you simply cannot stop, not matter what you should do instead of reading) halfway between inspired Sf and well-crafted detective story. And what is really brilliant is the idea that yes, there is a conspiracy, but it's humans who are plotting against aliens--maybe.Do not miss this one. You won't regret the bucks you're going to spend. Wonderful dialogues, great plot, and a lot of action in a rather small space--the White House. You'll learn things about Eisenhower, JFK and Edgar J. Hoover you never suspected...

Great unexpected twist on old theme

Powerful aliens who conquer the world are a sci-fi staple. This book turns the story around when the aliens have problems running the world. Comic cameos by John Kennedy and others.

A brilliantly subversive science fiction novel...

Brother Termite, by Patricia Anthony... Are politics, culture, and humanity mutually exclusive ideals? Is genocide a necessary evil? Is love a self-defeating genetic side effect? These are a few of the questions that Patricia Anthony poses in her brilliantly subversive novel, Brother Termite. With breathtaking precision, and awesome subtlety, Patricia Anthony achieves the almost unthinkable; set fifty years in the future in a world where aliens walk freely among us, and seen through the eyes of an extraterrestrial Chief-of-Staff working in the White House, she tells a story of global proportions, and yet manages to keep intact all of the mystery, eeriness, and uncertainty that surrounds the modern UFO phenomenon. And at the same time, her story holds true to virtually all of the folklore and mythology of the contemporary UFO culture. Anthony has done much more than just passionately researched her topic, she has extrapolated upon it, philosophized it, and weaved it into a fascinating and provoking narrative. A novel of alien menace, flying saucers and underground bases, abductions and political intrigue, Brother Termite introduces us to a future that is both abysmally bleak, and at the same time full of hope. We are taken on a futile, yet somehow inspirational journey, and given a first hand look at the tremendous gears turning in Washington, out of sight, far beyond Middle American perception, beyond the common man's control. It is this particular theme, which we find the most innovative, the most horrific, and the most appealing. The fact that the common man is so far removed from the plot, so unaware of the political, Earth-changing, apocalyptic events that surround him and determine his very future. Anthony cleverly turns the tried and true "Everyman" theme on its ear; instead of imbuing a "common man" with heroic qualities, and thrusting him into the thick of predicament, she does the reverse. Anthony's characters are all larger than life, all heroes in their own rights; U.S. President Jeff Womack, alien Chief-of Staff Reen, FBI Director William Hopkins, and even the spirit of JFK. But as the story progresses, we begin to see their humanity, their commonality, exposed. One by one, Anthony's characters fall victim to their own humanistic natures, their own souls. One by one, we see each of these larger than life heroes transformed into Everyman. I highly recommend Brother Termite, not only for those involved in the UFO community, or even the science fiction community, but for anyone with a passion for the dramatic; anyone who seeks the answers to philosophical questions of the heart; or harbors a love of political espionage, or seeks to know what goes on behind the closed doors of the White House; anyone who loves a good mystery, a good thriller, or a good romance. Brother Termite weaves all of these various sub-genres and ideals flawlessly, seamlessly into an imaginative and en

A great book - certainly a must for a serious SF fan

This author's book, along with the other two she has written, represent a major find for any fan of good writing, regardless of whether or not your primary interest is science fiction. This was the first book I read from her. The unique perspective of the main character, and the fast moving plot make this a quick, very enjoyable read. Give it a try! I'll bet you'll be back for more