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Nor Crystal Tears
by Alan Dean Foster
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Del Rey (1982-08-12)
ISBN: 0345291417
EAN: 9780345291417
Mass Market Paperback: 231 pages
Edition: 1st
Release Date: 1982-08-12
SKU: CH2668
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: Publisher: Del Rey Date of Publication: August 12, 1982 Binding: Mass Market Paperback Condition: Very Good Description: 0-345-29141-7 Book in good condition from non-smoking home.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
Before Man and insectlike Thranx had become allies, when the reptilian AAnn were just occasional raiders of Thranx colony worlds, one young Thranx agricultural expert lived a life of quiet desperation.
A dreamer in a world of sensible, stable beings, Ryo buried himself in his work -- reclaiming marshland from a tenacious jungle -- until he came across a letter describing a relative's encounter with horrid, two-legged, soft-skinned space-going beasts . . .
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Customer Reviews
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Probably most touching story about friendship with grasshopper like people ever to be written...
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-10-08
After I had blazed my way through all the Flinx/Pip novels that I could find as a teenager (probably about 4-5 of them at that time), I was still hungry for more of the Humanx Commonwealth. What I found in this novel remains one of my favorite first contact stories ever. First contact is usually so intriguing because you view the aliens through human eyes for the very first time; there are often equal parts horror, wonder, excitement, and fear. What is so remarkable at this novel is the way in which you get all those emotions of a first contact, but are seeing it through the compound eyes of someone who is very unlike ourselves. The way this works so well is that you get to know the alien through whom we are seen throughout much of the novel beforehand, so by the time you get to the human contact section, you have already learned to love and trust Tru. It turns the usual first contact inside out.
As usual for Foster, the world building is simply wonderful--his knack at creating interesting, intriguing, believable cultural systems with a few broad brushstrokes is quite impressive. Tru is a wonderful character, somehow bringing this insectoid species into sharp but sympathetic relief, which is no small task.
This remains one of my favorite ADF novels, and I have been happy to recommend this to a lot of friends who are into sci-fi as an overlooked gem. If you enjoy Alan Dean Foster, this is definitely one to seek out. If you enjoy good and original first contact tales, this is also going to be one for you as well. Check it out. You'll be glad you did.
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One of the great books in the Humanx universe.
Rating  (5)
Date: 2006-04-25
Like many of the other single book stories set in the Humanx universe, this is a great story from start to finish. I was very glad when the "founding of the commonwealth" series came out and knew that this book would really be the foundation of that series as it should be. Having just started the "foundation of the commonwealth" trilogy, I only went a few pages before realizing that I should read this book yet again (and like others here, I have read my first edition copy several times.)
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A good first contact and a good place to start.
Rating (5)
Date: 2005-03-07
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
More than ten years after first reading it and having read many other first contact books this one is still my favorite. While doing first contact from an aliens view has been done more realisticly, such as the The Chanur Saga, none has done it quite as fun. Foster has an ability to capture both seriousness and fun in his writing and this book in no exception. This book is a good jumping off point for potential Fosterites and a great book for long time fans.
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Nicely done first contact novel.
Rating (4)
Date: 2004-10-21
2 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
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.
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A look at first contact from the other side
Rating (4)
Date: 2004-08-09
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
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.
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