The Genocides

When something dominates the landscape long enough, it falls into the intricate patterns that ultimately lead to its downfall. Complacency, the feeling of superiority and supreme authority, overpopulation and spreading the herd paper thin; these are all symptoms of that coming demise. It can be seen in every creature colonizing on any continent, from the largest of animals to the smallest insects. And nothing reflects that teetering on the brink of perpetual extinction more than mankind. In The Genocides, this point is painstakingly brought to the surface, showcasing exactly how mankind would react to sweeping changes and how easily the proverbial "fall from grace" could be fashioned. First come the seeds of destruction in the shape of mysterious plants, growing at levels that astound even the most studious minds while being followed by the atypical reactions hinged on dismissal that one would expect from "civilized thinkers." As the plants start claiming ground and choking out the human blight, the reaction remain as we would expect them to be, unwavering in their arrogance, and the people see themselves as dominate. They don't see this as an invasion because plants couldn't be invaders, after all, and they opt instead to fight it with poisons that seem to keep the problem in check and methods that keep it out of sight. Slowly, however, people come to realize that this is all a mirage and that extinction is looming just beyond that next horizon. And there, in a town painted to the backdrop of crumbling cities and mammoth greenery, Thomas Disch begins painting a vivid portrait of what humanity truly entails.There were many elements of the story that sprang from those pages and that were captivating as I eagerly devoured page after page. I personally liked the way the characters sprang to life, their ideas and ideals mingling with their backgrounds, and I liked the way all sorts of normally-mundane items started marching back into lives that had forgotten them. Food, grueling efforts to keep portions of land, needs for medicine, the elements; these were all there and they were all there in kind. Little tastes that we'd become numb to began taking effect, with people dropping like so many flies as the going grew tougher and tougher, and Disch painted it well. And, out of that, he painted something that I liked even better.One of the best things about Disch's work was that he wasn't trying to become a mouthpiece for the redeeming factors housed in mankind. He didn't gloss over the fact that brutality is a key component to survival when structure becomes disheveled, and he doesn't try to bore his readers with passion plays that encompass only a portion of that "light vs. dark" spectrum. Instead, he explores the way the individuals feel and how they manage to survive on both a mental and a physical plateau when the world falls apart. And sometimes this means doing little things to keep the past alive or finding someone to latch onto that you really do

With all the aplocalyptic books out there to enjoy, this is the freshest approach yet, and probably one of the older books.One day the world is covered in little green plants sprouting up everywhere. One month later the little plants are already over 100 feet tall.Things fall apart too fast to stop them, and as they encroach on society, society collapses. Those who are left survive only by sheer determination and hard work, having not only to deal with the immense plants blocking out the sunlight, but with strange spheres that patrol amongst them and disintegrate anything that moves. Disch takes us into this little society, and we follow this group of well formed characters onward through further declines, delving into an underground world of strange fruits and un-ending roots systems; where human nature takes over and even the smallest of societies finally breaks down under the weight of desperation. The ending will may not shock you, but it will leave you thinking "what if?"Very well written, outstanding characterization, this is one of Disch's better adventures.

Bleak is the first word that comes to mind-which is not a bad thing. Disch's debut novel was part of a movement in sci-fi at the time that rejected the prevailing paradigm of human ingenuity and/or nobility being able to save the Earth from alien attack (no matter how technological advanced those aliens were). In this slim novel he tells the story of a small band of Minnesotan farmers near Duluth who are struggling to survive the blanketing of Earth by a mysterious and apparently indestructible species of trees. In the seven years since the spores first appeared, the trees have spread across the globe, sucking all nutrition from earth, drying up rivers and lakes, and generally destroying the planet's ecological balance. At the same time, some kind of automated drones have been leveling cities with fire and gradually seeking out remaining mammals to toast. The implication is clear: Earth has been designated as a planetary cropfield, and all pests need to be eliminated so the crop can thrive. That premise is neat, but the main theme is how the surviving humans interact with one another and newcomers. It's clear that Disch was determined to show how the uglier side of human nature would prevail in such a high-stress situation. Throughout the story, jealousies, rivalries, and petty disputes between characters threaten the safety of the group. Indeed, at times, the various conflicts concerning the women get a little too melodramatic for the situation, but on the whole, the atmosphere is great, especially when the survivors are forced underground into the trees' root system.A great take on the alien invasion story, it could benefit from a little trimming in the second half. Still, if you like your sci-fi grim and unsparing, this is the book for you!

Environmental degradation, global famine and mass extinction are some of the concerns held by those who think about the long-term future of our planet - a slow, lingering death for Mother Nature. In Thomas Disch's novel "The Genocides", a race of unseen, uncaring aliens have done the work for us.In the space of seven years Earth has been overwhelmed by towering alien Plants, whose dominance has all but destroyed the ecological balance upon which all species survival depends. Billions have died, cities have been razed to the ground, and the Incinerators efficiently mop up any survivors."The Genocides" concentrates on one isolated group that is still holding out. With grim determination, they skulk and scavenge among the Plants, trying to stave off the inevitable. Unlike the big-budget science fiction blockbuster films of recent years, this is not a story of heroism and valour. In fact, there are those who enjoy what is happening to them. Jeremiah Orville takes a perverse delight in the whole situation, while he plots revenge on the leader of the group who captured him.This is certainly a grim story, and possibly one of the best interpretations of the alien invader theme. Comfortless, hard-hitting and bleak. Goodbye Earth.

The Genocides, one of Thomas Disch's earlier ignored works, is actually the first Disch book I read. It tells the story of a small group of human survivors, led by Anderson, wandering the earth in search of a home after an alien civilization decides to cultivate the entire planet. The story begins seven years after spores are dropped; the earth is nearly consumed with plants 600 feet tall that are stripping the earth of its resources: soil and water. Anderson and his small group struggle to survive even in the face of the aliens who originally brought the plants. Highly suggested for any fan of science fiction without the threat of popularity. This book deserves more credit.