Foreigner: A Novel of First Contact - C.J. Cherryh Book Review

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"Foreigner: A Novel of First Contact"
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Review Summary

For almost five centuries Humans have lived on the planet of the Atevi. During that time the Atevi and Humans have been to war, the subsequent peace being held through their almost total segregation, and a trade agreement via which the Humans trade their advanced technology to the less technically advanced Atevi. Only one Human is permitted direct access to the Atevi mainland, Bren Cameron, the Paidhi (interpreter). Normally Bren Cameron has little to do but study the Atevi's customs and language, dutifully make a record for his sometime successor, and act as intermediary as and when the situation arises. Then, without warning, things suddenly change and Bren Cameron finds himself thrown into a dangerous political situation. And he doesn't why. Not until the Atevi are sure of their man…
Charles Smyth, Resident Scholar

Detailed literary breakdown of Foreigner: A Novel of First Contact

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%

Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - diplomat
Age: - 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization
Age: - long-lived adults
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount - an average amount

Setting
Terrain - Water - Mountains - Domed/Underground City
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a contemporary society - inhabited by friendly aliens - unfriendly aliens - very controlled society
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references only
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog - significantly more descript than dialog

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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