# Recommend a book about someone/people with powers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 29, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367 "2008-04-29T17:22:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/21 "2008-04-29T20:11:13Z")
_The I Inside_ by Alan Dean Foster. Set in a sci-fi future, the main character starts demonstrating superhuman powers under stress, for reasons totally unknown to him ( but later revealed ). Mostly superhuman strength, speed and durability. _Slipt_ by Alan Dean Foster features an old man with a power that - to start with - is just a parlor trick where he pops the tops off jars and bottles with his mind; he’s never cared about it or really done anything with it. The Bad Guys want to lock him up or worse to study him, and he’s forced to figure out how his power works and to stretch it farther and farther until he’s gone **well** beyond parlor tricks. _Coils_ by Roger Zelazny involves an amnesiac who discovers his true identity, memories and powers ( he’s essentially telepathic with machines ), and comes into conflict with other empowered people ( a telekinetic and a telepath, I recall offhand ). ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/22 "2008-04-29T20:20:23Z")
_The Kundalini Equation_ by Steven Barnes. Basically written by asking the question, “What if that human potential and secret-wisdom-of-the-ages stuff was actually **true**?” The main character unlocks ( with help from books written by Savagi, someone who had a little bit of the ancient knowledge that he stole ) long lost techniques that grant him superhuman powers and perceptions. What he doesn’t know is that the cult Savagi started is still out there, watching and manipulating him; that what he’s discovered isn’t some generic make-yourself-superhuman technique, but a make-yourself-a-living-weapon technique; and that he has no idea how to shut it off or control it. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/23 "2008-04-29T20:27:26Z")
Stephen King seems to have a lot of these–_Rose Madder_ & _Insomnia_ should also be on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/24 "2008-04-29T20:35:39Z")
Joe Haldeman’s _Tool of the Trade_ is a terrific Cold War tale of a guy who acquires mind control (through technological means). One of my favorite SF books - I re-read it every few years. A fascinating premise and thrilling in the telling. _Watchmen_ is a great graphic novel about superheroes with problems. Big problems. For the movies, you can’t go wrong with _The Incredibles_. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/25 "2008-04-29T20:43:39Z")
I immediately thought of \*\*Replay \*\* - love it. I love Bester’s books, too **CalMeacham** I thought about Stephen King and Dean Koontz… I would add \*\*Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem \*\* - it’s about growing up in Brooklyn in the 70’s - and some super-power type stuff. Lethem is a wonderful writer and the book was very well received by critics - but in this case, that’s actually a good thing! Did anyone read that book that came out last year written from a super villain’s perspective? The cover was a winged helmet or something? Darn - what is the name? Not really what the OP is looking for, but I remember reading reviews that sounded fun and interesting. I think the name is some cliche saying that a super villian might say… ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/26 "2008-04-29T20:51:31Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] Did anyone read that book that came out last year written from a super villain’s perspective? The cover was a winged helmet or something? Darn - what is the name? Not really what the OP is looking for, but I remember reading reviews that sounded fun and interesting. I think the name is some cliche saying that a super villian might say… [/QUOTE] [Soon I Will Be Invincible](http://www.amazon.com/Soon-Will-Be-Invincible-Novel/dp/0375424865)? I haven’t read it, but a friend is crazy about it. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/27 "2008-04-29T20:53:56Z")
Stephen King’s The Shining also. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/28 "2008-04-29T21:13:33Z")
[QUOTE=pinkfreud] [Soon I Will Be Invincible](http://www.amazon.com/Soon-Will-Be-Invincible-Novel/dp/0375424865)? I haven’t read it, but a friend is crazy about it. [/QUOTE] Yes! That’s it! Thanks. I gotta get that book…so I just followed your link and did! ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/29 "2008-04-29T21:33:40Z")
[QUOTE=Ice Cream Man] That looks really good. Too bad it’s out of print! [/QUOTE] Not sure if this will help you, but the Montreal public library system [has a French edition of the book.](http://nelligan.ville.montreal.qc.ca/search*frc?/Xsilverberg%20dying%20inside&SORT=D/Xsilverberg%20dying%20inside&SORT=D&SUBKEY=silverberg%20dying%20inside/1%2C3%2C3%2CB/frameset&FF=Xsilverberg%20dying%20inside&SORT=D&1%2C1%2C) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/30 "2008-04-29T21:35:24Z")
[QUOTE=Krokodil] **Gladiator** r by Philip Wylie **Odd John** by Olaf Stapledon Chances are they’re out of print, too. [/QUOTE] Ah, yes, [_Odd John._](http://davidszondy.com/future/man/odd_john.htm) And [_Slan._](http://davidszondy.com/future/man/Slan.htm) ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/31 "2008-04-29T22:15:59Z")
Zena Henderson’s _The People_ books and stories. They’ve been out of print for at least 20 years, but used are available on Amazon. The People were crash-landed aliens with assorted psychic powers, who assimilate reasonably well into earth (mostly, if not entirely US) culture, while trying to hide while maintaining their abilities. Well written, and entertaining, they fall into the fantasy genre, NOT horror. Going by memory, the titles are _The People, No Different Flesh_; _Holding Wonder_; _Pilgramage_; and _The Holding Box_, and it seems like there is one more. They stand alone, as they’re more interconnected short story collections than a series, IIRC. I’m not allowing myself to even open Amazon right now, or I’d give you links with prices, and perhaps a coherent review or two. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/32 "2008-04-29T22:51:28Z")
[QUOTE=MadPansy64] Zena Henderson’s _The People_ books and stories. They’ve been out of print for at least 20 years, but used are available on Amazon. [/QUOTE] I think NEFSA put out a one-volume collection too, for about $40. Well worth the money. Seconding, thirding etc. _Replay_ – best time travel story ever. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/33 "2008-04-29T23:04:11Z")
I have never read _Replay_. I don’t think I ever even heard of it until today. I just ordered a used copy from [Half.com](http://Half.com). I love the SDMB! Thanks, y’all. Group hug. I’d like to echo the comments about Zenna Henderson. Wonderful, haunting, memorable stories. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/34 "2008-04-29T23:05:06Z")
There’s a UK edition of _Dying Inside_ by **Silverberg** available, if anybody wants it - I expect Amazon UK will have it… And somebody mentioned _Count Geiger’s Blues_ by **Michael Bishop** ; it’s pretty good, but not great - another book kind-of like it is [Flyboy Action Figure Comes with Gasmask](http://www.amazon.com/Flyboy-Action-Figure-Comes-Gasmask/dp/0380810433/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209509963&sr=8-1) by **Jim Munroe** where 2 students realise they have special powers and decide to do the right thing, and fight crime (more or less!) ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/35 "2008-04-29T23:15:04Z")
I’ve been thinking about this topic recently, as well. I’ve noticed all the tv shows about super-powered people, and have been wondering whether this is due to people feeling powerless in the real world. I loved **Replay** as well, and have been looking for books such as the OP asks for. Thanks for all the good recommendations. Recently I greatly enjoyed Natasha Mostert’s[\*\* Season of the Witch\*\*](http://www.amazon.com/Season-Witch-Natasha-Mostert/dp/B000VPKFA4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209510484&sr=8-1), in which the main character has “remote viewing” ability. ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/36 "2008-04-30T00:02:46Z")
[QUOTE=AuntiePam] I think NEFSA put out a one-volume collection too, for about $40. Well worth the money. [/QUOTE] So much for my resistance to the temptation known as Amazon. 😛 [Zena Henderson Complete People Stories](http://www.amazon.com/Ingathering-Complete-People-Stories-Henderson/dp/0915368587/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3FWNWR88UNDAG&colid=3AZ3IOGVAQ8QE) $20! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Them](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Them](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Them)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/37 "2008-04-30T04:28:38Z")
_Bacchus_ by Eddie Cambell (comic book). Greek mythology for real, in the 1990s. :smack: myself ‘cause I can NOT remember…a childrens’ book, with this kid who meets a sorcerer who gives him the ability to grow wings, and the kid does stuff like rescue a littler kid stranded on a rowboat in Long Island Sound…dang…set in the 1940s…dang me! This is just escaping me! ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/38 "2008-04-30T04:56:17Z")
[QUOTE=MadPansy64] So much for my resistance to the temptation known as Amazon. 😛 [Zena Henderson Complete People Stories](http://www.amazon.com/Ingathering-Complete-People-Stories-Henderson/dp/0915368587/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3FWNWR88UNDAG&colid=3AZ3IOGVAQ8QE) $20! [/QUOTE] I ordered it too! Decades ago, I remember looking everywhere for the **Anything Box** , but without the internet in those days, finding a book was really difficult. In fact I may have some of these packed in the garage, but some of my books were water-damaged. ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/39 "2008-04-30T05:08:06Z")
[QUOTE=The Them] :smack: myself ‘cause I can NOT remember…a childrens’ book, with this kid who meets a sorcerer who gives him the ability to grow wings, and the kid does stuff like rescue a littler kid stranded on a rowboat in Long Island Sound…dang…set in the 1940s…dang me! This is just escaping me! [/QUOTE] I think that you’re thinking of [Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s **Black and Blue Magic**](http://www.amazon.com/Black-Magic-Zilpha-Keatley-Snyder/dp/0595321828/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209531269&sr=1-9). If not, you should be. I loved her stuff as a kid. There’s a lot of possibilities if we start digging into children’s books and YA. For instance, [Margaret Mahy’s **Changeover**](http://www.amazon.com/Changeover-Supernatural-Romance-Margaret-Mahy/dp/0140365990/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209531499&sr=1-5), [Willo Davis Robert’s **The Girl With the Silver Eyes**](http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Silver-Eyes-Apple-Paperbacks/dp/0590442481/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209531610&sr=1-1), and a good sized chunk of [Diana Wynne Jones’ oeuvre](http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Secret-Diana-Wynne-Jones/dp/0765342472/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209531903&sr=1-13). ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367/40 "2008-04-30T05:15:16Z")
And I just thought of a more recent example: Scott Westerfeld’s [Midnighters](http://www.amazon.com/Midnighters-1-Secret-Hour/dp/0060519533/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209532342&sr=1-1) series. I’m not always thrilled by his endings, but the series overall was OK and definitely fits the theme the OP is looking for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-about-someone-people-with-powers/447367.md?page=3)