Family Tree

"Family Tree" by Charles L. Fontenay is a mid-century science fiction story that dives into the complex ideas of human evolution and society. The plot makes you think about what is normal when Masefield Truggles, who considers himself the town's moral guide in Marston Hill, becomes suspicious of Blan Forsythe, a man rumored to be a polygamist with strange abilities coming from his different genes. As Truggles looks into Forsythe's business, he gets entangled with Phyllis Allison, Forsythe's former wife, and her powerful son Donald. The story builds to a point that shows Donald is a further along human evolution due to his unique chromosomal make-up, which forces Truggles confronts his own narrow beliefs. This leads him to wonder about humanity's place and playing God with genetics.