Looking for an old sci-fi book

September 19, 2012 12:35 PM

Looking for a science fiction book that I read back in the 70's-ish. It was about a guy who was in a jungle way way into the future. A few key points that should a ring a bell are: 1. There were these humanoid creatures that were short and fat and connected to a main plant by an umbilical cord. The main actor cut one of these cords and these "tummytommies" (some weird name like that) then became irritable. 2. There were these "balloons" floating around the jungle with long ropes dragging in the trees. It turned out that these were creatures that would catch prey with those sticky appendages and begin pulling the victim up to their chattering teeth. 3. This was when the world was very old and, I believe the story ended with the world ending. That's about all I remember.
posted by SparkyPine to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total)

Best answer: Brian Aldiss’ Hothouse?
posted by misteraitch at 12:39 PM on September 19, 2012 [3 favorites]

Pohl's JEM?
posted by doctord at 12:51 PM on September 19, 2012

Best answer: Yes, I was going to say it sounds very much like Hothouse.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:57 PM on September 19, 2012

I was thinking JEM as well but isn't there another race that lives underground in that one? Doesn't quite fit.
posted by RolandOfEld at 1:11 PM on September 19, 2012

Best answer: It's definitely Hothouse - the creatures are called tummybellies.
posted by Dr Dracator at 1:18 PM on September 19, 2012 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I agree, it was Hothouse. Loved that book. It was the first sci-fi I ever read.
posted by inbetweener at 2:44 PM on September 19, 2012

Response by poster: You guys/gals are simply amazing! I knew I'd find the answer here of all places, especially after being able to find Pick A Peck of Puzzles a few years ago here.

Thank you so much.
posted by SparkyPine at 5:38 PM on September 19, 2012