Nor Crystal Tears

Rating:
Summary: Nicely done First Contact novel.
Review: A very nice science fiction novel which explores First Contact between two very different alien races and does it from the point of view of both species. The novel is compact and efficient, managing to capture the major political reactions without needing to make them overly byzantine or complex. Conspicuous villains are not on offer. Rather, Foster tackles the origins of prejudice and offers a possible model of moving forward. The book points out that contact between unlike peoples can also offer important opportunities for change within both affected cultures.

The resolution, like the rest of the book, is very gentle. At this point in science fiction and world history it may feel slightly dated or overly hopeful. On the other hand, perhaps a healthy dose of resolvable conflict is a welcome and necessary thing. You decide.

Rating:
Summary: Alan Dean Foster's best work
Review: I rate "Nor Crystal Tears" as Alan Dean Foster's best work, and as one of the best books I have ever read. It is a masterfully written story of first contact. With rarely a dull moment, it really is worth reading.

If you haven't read anything by Alan Dean Foster, this is a good place to start.

Rating:
Summary: Alan Dean Foster's best work
Review: I rate "Nor Crystal Tears" as Alan Dean Foster's best work, and as one of the best books I have ever read. It is a masterfully written story of first contact. With rarely a dull moment, it really is worth reading.

If you haven't read anything by Alan Dean Foster, this is a good place to start.

Rating:
Summary: First Alan Dean Foster I read... still a favorite
Review: I read this when it first came out... ages ago. It was my first Alan Dean Foster novel and got me hooked. I still have the book, and while the cover is a bit tattered, I still read it every few years.

The main character in this novel is an alien and we get to learn and experience his world through his eyes. It's only later in the book do we get to encounter the real aliens, humans, and what transpires when these two very different races meet and try to understand each other. A great read, with great perspective and characters.

Rating:
Summary: Good history lesson, bad story
Review: Nor Crystal Tears is a prequel to the extensive Humanx Commonwealth books by Foster. Tears chronicles the first meeting between human and Thranx, as it follows the exploits of an odd Thranx named Ryo. The first half is kinda dull, there is not anything too interesting about the Thranx, actually. The second half, after the humans are introduced (captured really), is marginally better, although a bit inconsistent and far-fetched. Actually, it is pretty easy to believe the alien settings, physiology and even psychology, but the humans were downright unbelievable. A childish (literally) little aside about how wonderful American Indians were and how evil "Cowboys" were, was a bit too much to stomach also.

Rating:
Summary: I Had An Alien's Lovechild
Review: The first meeting between Thranx and Humans. The plot is a standard first-contact story but contains a few interesting twists; the writing is engaging and colorful, with good depth of character. I enjoyed this novel very much

Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT!
Review: THIS BOOK WAS A BRILLIANT FIRST CONTACT NOVEL. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! TWO VERY DIFFERENT WORLDS MEET AND CROSS THE BARRIERS OF COMMUNICATION. A GREAT BOOK ALL AROUND.

Rating:
Summary: A look at first contact from the other side
Review: This is a very creative first contact story. Told from the alien point-of-view, it illustrates the dangers that prejudice and fear create when alien species first meet.

Foster does a good job of describing a insectoid civilization, and provides great insight into the traits of such a species. It is especially interesting to note the relative relationship of mammals on this world, and the attitudes towards them. This sets the stage for the potential conflict when contact with Earth's humans.

This book holds a mirror up to our own prejudices and attitudes and serves as a cautionary tale about making quick judgements when encountering new cultures. It is all too easy for misunderstandings to create enemies, when patience might lead to understanding and friendship.

Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: This novel became a favorite of mine when I first read it in the early 1980's when 'first contact' themes were less common and were not a staple or 'genre' of science fiction. Despite the large amount of additional recreational reading I have engaged in since that time, Nor Crystal Tears still remains one of my favorite reads.