Syndrome Johnny by Charles Dye
A catastrophic plague, originating from a single blood donor, devastates humanity, leading to widespread death and societal upheaval. The initial outbreak results in a syndrome that alters the endocrine system and emotional stability of survivors. Years later, a second wave of the plague emerges, with a man named Johnny at its center, rumored to be the mythical "Syndrome Johnny," a figure of mass hysteria linked to the disease. As the narrative unfolds, a police psychologist investigates the resurgence of this myth, uncovering connections to a long-lived man named John Delgados, who has evaded detection for over a century. Delgados, a biochemist, is revealed to have undergone significant chemical alterations to survive and propagate the plague's effects, which he views as an evolutionary advancement for humanity. The protagonist, Ricardo Alcala, grapples with the implications of Delgados' actions and the potential for another plague, which could lead to further societal transformation. As tensions rise, Alcala confronts the moral dilemmas surrounding the pursuit of progress at the cost of individual lives, ultimately leading to a climactic decision that could alter the course of human evolution. The work explores themes of sacrifice, the nature of progress, and the ethical boundaries of scientific experimentation.
By Charles Dye · First published 1987 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Drama · 5,958 words
First lines
The plagues that struck mankind could be attributed to one man. But was he fiend... or savior?
The blood was added to a pool of other blood, mixed, centrifuged, separated to plasma and corpuscles, irradiated slightly, pasteurized slightly, frozen, evaporated, and finally banked. Some of the plasma was used immediately for a woman who had bled too much in childbirth.
What this Textopian page supports
Syndrome Johnny is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles Dye, dated 1987 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Charles Dye
- Date: 1987 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Drama, Adventure
- Length: 5,958 words
- Structure: 1 section, 153 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Syndrome Johnny by Charles Dye
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The overall story of 'Syndrome Johnny' revolves around a futuristic concept involving biological warfare and alien species, traits often found in science fiction.
- Thriller — The suspense and excitement revolving around the spreading of a deadly virus can also put 'Syndrome Johnny' in a thriller genre.
- Drama — The plot involving conflicts among characters, moral dilemmas, and emotional experiences categorizes the book under drama genre.
- Adventure — The quest to find a cure for the deadly virus involves multiple adventures, and thus this book can also be classified under adventure genre.
Tags
dystopian · science fiction · thriller · adventure · mystery · suspense · action · future · technology · society · identity · survival