Why this book: Selected by my Sci Fi reading group based on it being listed (somewhere) as an excellent modern Sci Fi Novel. Written in 1953 apparently it is one of the most read Sci Fi books of all time, though it is not so well known today. It was ground breaking in that it deals with psychic abilities and spiritual evolution.

Summary in 5 sentences. It begins with a description of a psychologically damaged young man who appears to be catatonic, but seems to have some awareness and connection to humans. Then suddenly we meet another character, a young girl who is psychologically abused by her mother, and two of her other children playmates. The three of them have psychic abilities, take care of each other and escape from their unpleasant home lives and link up at a cave-like dwelling in the forest, created by our first character. Then we meet a third dysfunctional character who joins the others, creating a rather bizarre communal existence, Then the story morphs again – ultimately coming together in a surprising climax which offers profound spiritual insights.

My impressions: Not an easy read, but worth it in the end. For much of it, I was having to guess what the hell was going on. The story changed directions multiple times, and I was struggling to see the connection between the different characters and stories, but I soldiered on with the faith that, like multiple pieces of a puzzle, floating separately in the air, they would somehow all come together as the story progressed. Which they did in the very end, with a powerful insight that may look a bit cliched today, but which was new and groundbreaking when it was first written. I believe the novel would have been better with more clues as to what direction the story was heading, and for me, the road to the end was longer and more winding than it needed to be.

One of the interesting twists in the story is that the main characters – each of whom was dysfunctional in mainstream society – each had a special psychic ability – telepathy, psycho-kinesis, teleporting, computer-like omniscience, mind reading, hypnotic powers – but alone the advantages of these abilities were limited.

I believe an important part of the charm of this story is how disconnected and strange it seems – for a while. And then when these interesting characters eventually come together, there is still no sense of direction, and we are still wondering WTF? But for those who hang in there, it does (finally!) come together well with a surprise ending. I felt like the concluding vision was very much in harmony with the vision that was is described in Proof of Heaven.

And at the end, after it all came together, I asked myself – and then what? He postulates a new human being that “bleshes” individuals with separate abilities and strengths into a single entity. “Bleshing” is a word he invents, combining “blending” with “meshing” to describe the process whereby individuals, each with different strengths and abilities, becomes a single entity which is functions as more than the sum of its parts. Which is pretty much the description of a good team.

One of the main points of the book is that these bleshed abilities without a moral compass can lead to very bad outcomes, by valuing an individual’s or team’s short-term well-being or goals above the well being of the greater humanity. I’d have liked the story to have continued a bit, to see how his team of bleshed individual characters with a new moral synergy, would deal with a morally complex situation that would test their bleshed abilities, and their new insights.

Some of they key themes of the book as I read it:

-People with disabilities often have abilities and super-powers that aren’t readily apparent.

-Dealing with parental abuse hurts children badly, but CAN be the hardship that develops great strength and power.

-We all have different strengths which alone are of limited value, but together can create a powerful synergy.

-Psychic powers and strength are morally neutral and can be used for evil, or good. It takes a strong moral compass to give these powers value to best serve the individual and humanity.

-Our “humanity” – our love for and connection to others – is ultimately the source of real power. And that means connection to and empathy for our fellow human beings.