“The Sheep Look Up” by John Brunner is a science fiction novel that was first published in 1972. The novel is set in a dystopian future in the United States, where the environment has significantly deteriorated, and society is on the brink of collapse. The book is part of Brunner’s “Club of Rome Quartet,” a series of novels that deal with separate social issues.
The novel’s plot revolves around the protagonist, Austin Train, a public relations executive, who becomes increasingly disillusioned with society’s state. He witnesses the gradual destruction of the environment and the corruption of political and corporate entities. The book portrays a bleak and depressing future, where people are forced to live in a polluted and toxic environment, and the government is controlled by corporate interests.
Brunner’s novel is a cautionary tale that warns readers about the dangers of neglecting the environment and the consequences of allowing corporations to have too much power. The book’s themes are relevant today, as the world faces environmental issues such as climate change and pollution. “The Sheep Look Up” is a thought-provoking and powerful novel that challenges readers to think critically about the world around them.
Author Background
John Brunner’s Career
John Brunner was a British author born in Preston Crowmarsh, Oxfordshire, England in 1934. He wrote science fiction, fantasy, and thriller novels. He started writing in the 1950s and continued until his death in 1995. Brunner was a prolific writer, and his works were translated into many languages.
Brunner’s most famous works include “Stand on Zanzibar,” “The Shockwave Rider,” and “The Sheep Look Up.” He won the Hugo Award, the British Science Fiction Association Award, and the Prix Apollo for his writing. Brunner was also a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America.
Influences on Writing
Brunner’s writing was influenced by his interest in science, politics, and social issues. He was concerned about the environment, overpopulation, and the effects of technology on society. These themes are evident in his novel “The Sheep Look Up,” which deals with environmental disaster and its impact on society.
Brunner was also influenced by other science fiction writers such as H.G. Wells, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein. He was also interested in the works of Aldous Huxley and George Orwell, who wrote about dystopian societies. Brunner’s writing style was characterized by his use of multiple narrators, nonlinear storytelling, and his ability to create complex and realistic characters.
Plot Overview
“The Sheep Look Up” by John Brunner is a science fiction novel that takes place in a dystopian society where pollution has reached catastrophic levels. The book is divided into twelve chapters, each depicting one month of the year.
The story follows several characters, including Austin Train, an environmentalist who tries to raise awareness about the dangers of pollution, and Norman House, a businessman who profits from the pollution. As the story progresses, the characters’ lives become intertwined, and they begin to realize the severity of the situation.
The novel portrays a world in which air and water pollution are so rampant that people are forced to wear gas masks to breathe. The government is corrupt and ineffective, and corporations have taken over, prioritizing profit over the health and well-being of the people.
The plot centers around Train’s attempts to expose the truth about the pollution and House’s efforts to suppress him. Along the way, other characters become involved, including a journalist, a scientist, and a group of rebels who plan to take down the system.
Main Characters
Austin Train
Austin Train is the protagonist of the novel. He is a troubleshooter for the powerful corporation GSP, which is responsible for much of the environmental degradation that has occurred in the United States. Despite his involvement in the corporation, he becomes disillusioned with their practices and becomes an advocate for environmental reform. Train is a complex character, torn between his loyalty to GSP and his desire to make a positive impact on the environment.
Prexy
Prexy is a young woman who becomes involved with Train and his efforts to reform the environment. She is a member of a radical environmental group that seeks to take direct action against corporations like GSP. Prexy is passionate about the environment and is willing to take risks to make a difference. She is a strong-willed character who challenges Train’s beliefs and encourages him to take a more active role in the fight for environmental reform.
Bobby Shaftoe
Bobby Shaftoe is a journalist who becomes interested in Train’s efforts to reform the environment. He is a skeptical character who questions Train’s motives and the effectiveness of his actions. Shaftoe is a voice of reason in the novel, providing a critical perspective on the environmental crisis and the actions taken to address it. He is a well-rounded character who adds depth to the novel.
Themes and Motifs
Environmental Decay
One of the central themes of “The Sheep Look Up” is environmental decay. The novel portrays a future where pollution and environmental degradation have reached catastrophic levels, resulting in widespread illness and death. The author, John Brunner, uses vivid descriptions of polluted air, water, and food to create a sense of urgency and horror. This theme serves as a warning about the dangers of environmental neglect and the importance of taking action to protect the planet.
Corporate Power
Another important theme in the novel is the power of corporations. The book depicts a world where large corporations have taken over many aspects of society, including government and media. This concentration of power leads to a lack of accountability and a disregard for the well-being of ordinary people. Brunner uses this theme to criticize the influence of corporate interests on politics and to highlight the need for greater regulation and transparency.
Social Responsibility
Finally, “The Sheep Look Up” explores the idea of social responsibility. The novel suggests that individuals have a responsibility to speak out against injustice and to work towards a better future. This theme is embodied by the character of Austin Train, who becomes an activist and works to raise awareness about the dangers of pollution. Brunner uses this theme to encourage readers to take an active role in shaping society and to promote a sense of social responsibility.
Setting and World-Building
The Sheep Look Up is a dystopian science fiction novel set in the United States in the near future. The novel’s world-building is centered around the idea of environmental collapse, where pollution, overcrowding, and resource depletion have led to a society on the brink of collapse. The author, John Brunner, creates a vivid and terrifying world that feels all too plausible.
The novel’s setting is primarily in the United States, and Brunner paints a bleak picture of a country that has become a wasteland. The air is toxic, the water is polluted, and the food is contaminated. The government is corrupt and ineffective, and corporations have taken over, controlling everything from the media to the food supply. The world is overpopulated, and people are crammed into cities, living in squalor and poverty.
Brunner’s world-building is effective in creating a sense of dread and hopelessness. He uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of a world that is falling apart. The pollution is so bad that people wear gas masks, and the skies are constantly dark with smog. The food is so contaminated that people are dying from diseases caused by it. The government is powerless to stop the corporations, and the people are helpless to do anything about it.
Critical Reception
The Sheep Look Up has received critical acclaim since its publication in 1972. The novel was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1972, and it has been praised for its prophetic vision of environmental collapse and social decay.
The book has been described as a “cult classic” and a “landmark work of science fiction.” It is widely regarded as one of the most important dystopian novels of the 20th century, and it has influenced countless writers and filmmakers.
Critics have praised Brunner’s vivid and detailed descriptions of a polluted and overcrowded world, as well as his complex and multi-layered characters. They have also noted the novel’s prescience in predicting many of the environmental and social problems that we face today.
Influence on Science Fiction
John Brunner’s The Sheep Look Up is widely regarded as a masterpiece of dystopian science fiction. The novel has been praised for its prescience and its ability to predict the future. It has influenced many other works of science fiction, including films, television shows, and novels.
The novel’s depiction of a polluted and decaying world has been particularly influential. It has inspired many other works of science fiction that explore the consequences of environmental degradation. The Sheep Look Up has also been praised for its realistic portrayal of the political and economic forces that contribute to environmental destruction.
The novel’s influence can be seen in films such as Blade Runner, which also depicts a dystopian future in which environmental degradation has led to social decay. The Sheep Look Up has also been cited as an influence on the television series The Walking Dead, which explores the consequences of a global pandemic.
Publication History
The Sheep Look Up is a science fiction novel by John Brunner first published in 1972. The novel is the third in Brunner’s “Club of Rome Quartet,” each dealing with a separate social issue. It was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1972.
The novel was published by Harper & Row in the United States and Gollancz in the United Kingdom. The first edition had a print run of 5,000 copies. Since then, the novel has been reprinted numerous times and has been translated into several languages.
The book’s popularity has led to its adaptation into a stage play, which premiered in 2018. It has also been cited as a major influence on the environmental movement, with some activists using it as a manual for direct action.
Adaptations and Media
The Sheep Look Up has not been adapted into a film or television series yet, but its influence can be seen in various media. For instance, the novel inspired the name of the band “The Sheep Look Up” and their album “Schizophrenia”. The band’s music reflects the novel’s themes of societal decay and environmental destruction.
Additionally, the novel has been referenced in other works of fiction, such as the video game “Deus Ex”. In the game, a character quotes a passage from The Sheep Look Up that describes a world where corporations have more power than governments.
Moreover, the novel’s dystopian setting and commentary on environmental issues have made it a popular topic in academic circles. It has been studied in courses on science fiction and environmental literature, and its influence on the genre has been noted by scholars.