by C.J. Cherryh
A science-fiction novel that takes a unique look into a situation of first contact.
Reviewed by: April Dawn Duncan
About April Dawn Duncan
In the history of our world, the first meeting of any two cultures with differences in language and belief has almost always included war and bloodshed before any understanding could be reached. Sometimes the two cultures reached an understanding and were able to cohabitate, sometimes it ended with one culture destroying or overpowering the other, and sometimes the war never ended at all. But at least in those cases, both cultures shared one thing in common. They were human beings with the same genetic hard wiring. Imagine what first contact with an alien race that is hard-wired differently from us will be like. A frightening prospect considering our bloody history.
In "Foreigner", C.J. Cherryh boldly takes on the telling and detailing of just one such encounter. In the far distant future, mankind has outgrown its home planet Earth and reaches out into the universe to find other inhabitable worlds. They search always tentatively, listening carefully for intelligent life. If intelligent life existed, it was mankind's policy to leave it undisturbed. It was easier that way. No one had to deal with the mind-boggling idea of first contact. Though after centuries of learning how to deal with their own internal conflicts, humankind might be more ready then they thought. But they don't want to risk that, so instead, they stick to their policy of avoidance. That is, until the star-cruiser Phoenix has a critical malfunction occur in its guidance system. The humans aboard the Phoenix find themselves lost in the vastness of space and thrust upon a world full of intelligent life, the fierce and proud atevi. Two generations pass, and it is both shocking and uplifting to see just how they have survived.
Meet Bren Cameron, the official Mospheiran paidhi, that is the human translator and diplomat in atevi society. He and he alone is allowed to live among the atevi. As paidhi, he works with his own government to regulate the flow of information from Mospheira to atevi society. Fortunately for Bren, he has earned the confidence of the aiji, so in some ways, he also acts as a human advisor to the atevi ruler. The aiji is the reigning lord over the Western Association. The atevi translation for "association" was loyalty and friendship. Unfortunately, it was not possible for the translation to be entirely correct. An association was more like a union or a guild, yet more complex and tightly knit than that. Atevi didn't feel friendship for one another, nor was there any word for trust in their language, though they knew the concept of betrayal very well. And so Bren must always be so very careful not to misunderstand or miscommunicate. His job stretches his patience and abilities sometimes to the point of breaking. However, Mospheirans have no choice but to strive to live peacefully with the atevi. The alternative is a very unpleasant thought. Bren works towards continual peace and hopes for the day when there will be no need for a paidhi. It is no small task as atevi society has political coups on a regular basis and assassination is an accepted means of removing one's problems. The paidhi's station had always enjoyed relative safety, until now. Now, someone wants the paidhi "removed". But why? As Bren scurries to piece together all the evidence he can, he begins to wonder if he ever understood the atevi at all and if his fondness for the aiji was simply a foolish human notion never to be reciprocated.
I love reviewing C.J. Cherryh not only because she is one of my favorite authors, but also because she is experimental and versatile. She writes both fantasy and science fiction sometimes in archaic styles and sometimes in modern styles. Her language always sets the tone for her novels and can tell you what kind of novel it will be. She has the uncanny knack for being able to create truly alien concepts. Her alien characters are inhuman through and through and are always true to form. Perhaps this stems from her gift of truly understanding the human condition. Her ability to interweave these gifts allows her to write deeply insightful and thought-provoking stories. In "Foreigner", it is nothing short of impressive how she fleshes out two entirely different cultures from politics and economics to society and philosophy with no details lacking while simultaneously developing the social interactions and characterizations of her characters. C.J. Cherryh does all of this with style.
The suspenseful twists and turns of this novel's plot will stretch and challenge your mind; the characters, even the human one, will win your heart.
Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: Foreigner: A Novel of First Contact
Copyright © by April Dawn Duncan, 2003
Reviewed by April Dawn Duncan:
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