The Godwhale

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Title Half Past Human

Cover of first edition (paperback)
Author T. J. Bass
Country United States
Language English
Series The Hive series
Genre(s) Science fiction novel
Publisher Ballantine Books
Released 1974
Media type Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
Pages 281 pp
ISBN ISBN 0-345-31095-0
Preceded by Half Past Human

The Godwhale is a science fiction novel by American novelist T. J. Bass, first published in 1974. It was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1974. The novel deals with genetic and biological inventions with a strange and mystical twist.

[edit] Plot introduction

The book presents a view of a far-future Earth in which almost all non-human life has been exterminated due to rampant overpopulation, and most human beings have been transformed into weak, docile, diminutive creatures via genetic engineering and extensive reliance on automation and artificial intelligence. Bass utilizes extensive biochemical and medical terminology in the narrative, and many scenes are quite clinically graphic. It is a cautionary tale on the evolution of technological society, and was published during the emergent period of the US environmental movement.