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The Green Brain
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Plot Summary of The Green Brain
"The Green Brain, Frank Herbert's 1966 book is credited with being one of the first eco-conscious sf novels. In an overpopulated future earth the contrarily-named International Ecological Organization has to clear the jungle and exterminate the vicious insect life of the Mato Grosso for living space. The insects rebel against the hi-tech destruction rained on them, which has the power to ruin life for the whole planet. Under intense selection pressure the insects are forced to evolve, forming a new intelligent life-form with a consciousness of its own, able to hunt even as it is hunted. There are huge mutants, some of them mere insects, but some more man than insect. Fairly simple in style, not vintage Herbert, but an exploratory work which tackles themes that re-appear in his more powerful 'The Dosadi Experiment'. Hopefully both of these works will be re-issued soon."
Michael JR Jose, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Green Brain
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes
Plotlets: - preventing an ecological disaster
Romance Yes
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - rescue mission/escape from confinement
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow
Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying - weapon - method of transportation - info about lifeform(s)/society/phenomena - state secrets
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - scientist
Age: - 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - natural phenomena - An "It".
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount - an above average amount
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Terrain - Jungle
Earth setting: - near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - rotating 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - a moderate amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Most similar books to The Green Brain
The Precipice by Ben Bova
The Folk Of The Fringe by Orson Scott Card
The Secret Of Life by Paul McAuley
Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov
The Venus Belt by L. Neil Smith


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