Nine Lives is a novelette published in 1968. The story takes place in a remote planet (Libra) where Martin and Pugh are the only inhabitants. Having asked several times for more support in their mining jobs, they receive the help in the form of 10 clones. The 10 clones are an interesting construct. There are 5 female and 5 male all clones of one original John Chow. All of them are called John Chow but have different middle names. They are so similar, in appearance, voice and behaviour that Martin and Pugh cannot tell the difference. Although they all have different specialisations they act as a unity, coordinated and efficient. They depend on each other not only to carry out their tasks but to define themselves. Here Le Guin draws a comparison, I think, between individualistic (Martin and Pugh) and group based societies. The two original miners struggle to understand the clones collective behaviour and thinking.
(Spoiler Alert)
At some point 9 of the clones are killed in a accident and the only survivor struggles to stay alive. He feels incomplete and fights his individuality. As he dies the deaths of his fellow clones he wishes to join them. Fortunately Martin and Pugh manage to save him and learn how the very collectivistic nature of the clones had led them to their death.
Topics to think about individuality, collectivity, cloning, consciousness, identity.
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