Sirius - 1944
I've known of Olaf Stapledon for many years, for well over a decade, and yet up until a short while ago (as of 4-2008) I had never read any of his books. Whenever SF fans discuss the great-grandfathers of the genre, or whenever they mention all-time classics, Mr. Stapledon's name and books are usually among those conjured. However, I rarely come across anyone actually reading him, nor do I often stumble upon his books in used or new book stores. He seems, at least to me, to be an author talked about and name-dropped more than he is read.
I have now read him. And after reading Sirius, I immediately went on to Amazon.com and ordered every piece of fiction I could click my mouse on.
Sirius is a profound work of fiction. It actually made me cry in public - on the bus on the way home from work one night. This stupid book made me cry - in public. Damn this book. When I told my wife this anecdote, she called me a woman. Thanks a lot Olaf.
Sirius is an exquisite book. Stapledon presents to his reader a Frankenstein-like story, but he elevates the emotion and humanity to an all new level. While I like Shelley's original tale, it never really resonated with me on deep emotional level. I didn't feel for the monster like I thought I was supposed to. Such is not the case with Sirius. I have never felt as much empathy with and sympathy for a character as I did here.
This is because Sirius, the title character, the “monster,” is a dog. Yes, Stapledon plays the canine card. Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows have met their match.
The book tells the story of a dog named Sirius, a new breed of super-canine created by a scientist named Thomas Trelone. Sirius is a very special kind of sheep dog. He has the ability to think, reason, and emote at the same level as a human being. However, he is not simply in possession of a human mind - that is, he is not a man trapped in a dog's body. No, he is more complex than this. He is actually a dog capable of complex thought, all filtered through his unique canine perspective. This grants Stapledon the ability to examine us, humankind, through a different lens, and he uses this SF impetus to great effect.
This is basically a biography of Sirius; it chronicles his entire life, or at least all of the major events in it. Sirius is born at the same time as the Trelone's own biological daughter, Plaxy. Together, the human and canine infant grow and learn. The family treats them both as equals, and encourages them to grow together while fostering a deep and lasting relationship between the two. Sirius is never to be treated as just a dog (unless secrecy dictates), and Plaxy is never to be treated better than her canine brother.
Throughout the narrative, the relationship between the human female and male canine is examined in great detail, and is illustrated with authenticity and compassion. And yes it does venture into some taboo territory, but it is never in poor taste, and nothing is ever done simply to provoke or shock. Stapledon demands that we evaluate Plaxy's and Sirius' relationship with new eyes, those not tainted by our own societal norms. I was constantly reminded of Theodore Sturgeon whilst reading this book, and I imagine that Stapledon must have been a great influence.
In addition to this interspecies relationship, we also witness Sirius' discovery of music and religion, two topics very near and dear to my own heart. Stapledon crafts a handful of wonderful and touching musical moments in the book. Because Sirius is a dog, he is able to hear tone and pitch far better than his human companions, thus the imperfection of human music is hard for him to appreciate - but he tries. He also composes and performs his own unique brand of canine music, and one such sequence in particular had me in tears. Just thinking about it now I can feel the emotion welling.
It has always been my belief that music and spirituality are closely linked, and so I was curious of how Stapledon would tackle the subject of religion. While living, the author was an agnostic, and I've read that he often discussed theology and philosophy with C. S. Lewis. I thought he might take a more cynical approach to the subject, but I was surprised to find otherwise. Sirius' longing for spirituality, and his eventual discovery, is powerful and sincere. In recognizing the importance of both reason and faith, science and religion, modern man could seriously learn a thing or two from this super-canine.
Simply put, Sirius is a fascinating tale of personal growth and discovery. And while the style is a bit dated - lots of telling, very storybook-like - Stapledon's prose is clear and concise. He conveys emotion expertly, and each vignette is wonderfully composed. For the brief time I spent with this book, I truly felt as if I was sharing a life with another being. I grew very fond of Sirius and his human family. But what's more, the book actually changed the way I look at my own dogs, and my own life. I've always been a dog person - I love my two dogs dearly - and after I was finished with Sirius, I just wanted to love them more. This book filled me with passion, and it is an experience I hope to never forget.
