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Alien Earth por Megan Lindholm
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Alien Earth (original 1992; edição 2002)

por Megan Lindholm

MembrosCríticasPopularidadeAvaliação médiaMenções
23212115,098 (3.62)15
A classic science fiction adventure from the backlist of Megan Lindholm, who also writes as Robin Hobb. Generations ago humanity abandoned Earth. Now they have returned. Far from home, the Human race tries to atone for killing Terra thousands of years ago. Rescued by the enigmatic Arthroplana in their mysterious Beastships, they have been inserted into the fragile ecologies of the alien twin worlds of Castor and Pollux, where they must make no impact, where every drop of water must be returned. Humanity has adjusted - or tried to. Despite the constant watch of the Arthroplana and the HUman Conservancy, John Gen-93-Beta has agreed to captain the Beastship Evangeline on an unthinkable journey to a dead planet...Earth. And so begins an engrossing voyage of discovery for five travellers: John, his First Mate Connie, stowaaway Raef, Tug the Arthroplana and the Beastship Evangeline herself. On a planet none quite expected, each learns the power of being human.… (mais)
Membro:Maaike15274
Título:Alien Earth
Autores:Megan Lindholm
Informação:Harper Voyager
Coleções:A sua biblioteca, Gelezen (van Mijn boeken), Bookclub/Forum discussion book, ff-leesclub challenge
Avaliação:*****
Etiquetas:Nenhum(a)

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Alien Earth por Megan Lindholm (1992)

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Mostrando 1-5 de 12 (seguinte | mostrar todos)
For some reason, I've always enjoyed the books this author wrote as Megan Lindholm more than those under her Robin Hobb persona. This is a rare science fiction one, set in a future long after the human race has been removed from an Earth badly damaged by human activities, and taken to a twin planetary system governed by the aliens who "rescued" it. Now humans live in a totally regimented society where total conformity to a regime of environmental conservation is required, or Adjustment or Termination will result.

The main characters are John, Captain of a Beastship and Connie, his crew. Beastships are actually sentient, but supposedly of low intelligence, and are used by the controlling aliens for interstellar travel. The role of humans aboard such ships are limited, confined to negotiation of cargo carrying contracts and the physical activity which can't be performed by the alien controller, embedded within the Beast. The one controlling John's and Connie's ship, Evangeline, is called Tug and is a master manipulator. But as part of his study of humans, he has secretly kept alive a human from the Earth evacuations in extended cryogenic suspension, and in this has finally overreached himself.

I loved the interaction between the characters and the psychological conflicts. The effects of delayed puberty and hugely extended lifespan on the development of humanity is interestingly explored, along with the different types of rebellion or acquiescence exhibited. I also loved the development of Evangeline's character. The story was interesting too and had some good plot twists. So I am rating this as a keeper with a well deserved five star rating. ( )
  kitsune_reader | Nov 23, 2023 |
I left this unfinished book on a plane 3 years ago. It took me a long while to remember the title and I finally found a copy. This is something different in the scifi genre to read and found it thought provoking and had difficulty putting it down. This is not a shoot'em up read, but a thought provoking space adventure. ( )
  Triviaseeker | Mar 6, 2023 |
I'm familiar with her work written under the pseudonym [a:Robin Hobb|25307|Robin Hobb|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1397885202p2/25307.jpg], but not the books she wrote as [a:Megan Lindholm|53255|Megan Lindholm|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1205023699p2/53255.jpg], before she adopted the new name. Since I didn't want really know where to start and she had written a few stand-alone novels, the choice was easily made especially since I didn't know Mrs. Lindholm had ventured into the realms of Science Fiction at some point. Reading a few reviews, of which mainly Rob's convinced me, I went for Alien Earth. Also purchased that day and still to be read: [b:The Reindeer People|11297113|The Reindeer People|Megan Lindholm|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334087509s/11297113.jpg|281793] and the follow-up, [b:Wolf's Brother|11297112|Wolf's Brother|Megan Lindholm|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334087883s/11297112.jpg|1193400].

What's it about? Humans have destroyed Earth (Terra). Like all nuclear bombs were dropped at the same time. So you can imagine that living conditions aren't as favourable any longer. An alien species, the Arthroplana, came with their Beastships to rescue most of the human population. It's unclear what happened to those survivors who could not or would not be rescued. But that's rather trivial here. Fact is: the planet's dead. Or so the rescued population is told. Like in, for example, [b:Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1)|16282974|Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) (Wool, #1-5)|Hugh Howey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1354959684s/16282974.jpg|18979356] (and the rest of the Silo series) the people seeing on screens that above ground it's no longer safe to live (but they don't show the rest of the above ground, only the direct surroundings) and thus no one can go out.

The saved ones were dropped on the planets Castor and Pollux. However, as the Arthroplana saw life and everything connected in a harmonious way, mankind was to not leave any impact whatsoever on their new homes. Take something from the soil or use water, and it must be renewed, as if nothing happened, as if no change was made. This also makes man stay in line, obey, and ignorant/dumb. All was regulated by the Conservancy, who made sure everything was followed up in a strict manner. Humans are also divided into groups, given specific tasks, after a battery of tests. When they do not comply or obey, Readjustment awaits them. So, yes, it does give the story a dystopian touch, to some extent.

The Beastships serve multiple purposes, but mainly as transport for trade and other activities. These Beastships all have an Arthroplana in them, a sort of supervisor/owner, who does all the steering. In one of them (Evangeline), a certain John is captain (but it's still Tug, the Arthroplana, who's really in charge), although that was not what the tests gave as first result of what he should be / have become. There's also one crew, Connie. She was chosen - via those tests - to be a Mother, but decided to go for Crew. I find it very interesting and refreshing (although the story is at least 20 years old) that Lindholm used an introverted character. Connie doesn't speak too often, likes a structured life and work, needs time on her own, ... John is a little different, although he too needs some me-time occasionally.

To avoid the humans ageing too fast, they're put into Waitsleep. Travelling from one planet/docking station to another can take many decades or centuries (in human time). So they're awakened every x-years. Add to that that they get to eat and drink specific products to avoid them developing too fast. Hence, puberty or sexuality or other aspects only become more apparent at a much later period. Or, in other words, due to the long sleeping and short periods of activity, they age very slowly and their bodies develop less fast than when they would have spent their lives on Earth/Terra.

Back to the Conservancy: they want it all to remain like it is, keeping everyone under control, censor everything, and what not. But then there's Earth Affirmed, who want to prove that Earth is not dead, that after all those years/centuries, it's safe to go back and continue to live there. As John finds no new trade contract (the excuse being that his ship is too old, too slow, ...), he has no choice but to accept EA's not-as-well-paid offer (to go and get Earth samples, whereby EA would take care of everything on a technical level; there's even a time capsule on Earth John and co. should locate), even though EA wanted him all along.

And so the fellowship (Evangeline, Tug, John, and Connie) set out to Earth. But there's someone else as well: Raef, a stowaway, who wanted to flee from Readjustment and other troubles (his youth wasn't that happy either). As he's terminally ill, all the more reason to want to see one's home planet one more time, no? At first, only Tug is aware of him and hides him in the back to the ship, doesn't tell the others about this extra crew member.

There's a lot of manipulation by Tug, who tries to win Connie to his side, as he can't really become friends with John anymore, based on earlier co-operations and travels. John knows about Tug's behaviour and tries to warn Connie about it, although at first she's obviously still very vulnerable to Tug's behaviour.

More details and spoilers behind the tags. The story gets a nice turnaround as Evangeline isn't as stupid as people are made to believe. Such Beastships are apparently trained to be obedient and always do as they're told. Little by little, and though her mental conversations with Raef, whom she discovered one way or another, because that's an area where Tug has less or no control, the womb chambers, Evangeline manages to free herself from the shackles and slave-driving tactics by Tug, who manipulated her and his crew (John and Connie).

John and Connie have to land on Earth, but not according to plan. Connie remains sceptic at first, then is convinced by John to venture into the world, towards the sea, and experience for herself that Earth has indeed become a more or less normal planet again (despite loss of certain fauna and flora, and adaptations of remaining species). So much even that Connie doesn't want to leave anymore. While on Castor or Pollux, people have lost the touch with nature, with animals. Hence Connie being very surprised to see and feel Earth's vegetation and the few animals she encounters. And the sand. And the water of the sea.

Also, as you might suspect, she and John "find" each other, after having opened up to each other (there's no Conservancy or anyone else to keep them in line), probably because their puberty and sexuality suddenly got a big boost due to Earth's living conditions.

As Raef finds out about John's and Connie's descent towards Earth, he convinces Evangeline to save them, fearing they won't have enough supplies and will succumb to the toxic conditions on Earth. But Raef's situation gets worse, once he's subjected to Earth's conditions. After having told his story and getting weaker by the day, John and Connie suddenly see Evangeline appear in the sky and decide to head for the ship - since Evangeline has gained full control of herself, having "disabled" her master Tug - and put Raef in one of those Waitsleep wombs for Evangeline to take care of him. Tug still tries to save his skin, to manipulate John and Connie, with the excuse that saving Raef will be disastrous for them all, as Evangeline will not care anymore about anyone, only herself (and Raef, whom she's come to trust and love).


As you live and work together for so many decades, trust is vital. This story is about trust, about friendship, about humanity. How do we treat each other, knowing we all have different views, different desires / wishes, different physical aspects, ...? How do we treat nature, the place we come from and belong to, as well as all the fauna and flora? How will mankind evolve? In this modern day and age, do we still appreciate nature (enough)? Do we still recognize the link between it all, how we have an impact on each other?

This is one very fine (Science Fiction) novel by an author who's more proficient in Fantasy, in my humble opinion. Lindholm's writing talent is enormous: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, ... she can do it all. The setting/world is nicely described, even if the focus lies (as usual) on the characters. Each character is well developed, they're not wooden or 2-dimensional. Better yet, thanks to their (albeit short) stay on Earth, their strained behaviour makes way for openness, feeling more free, daring to speak their minds.

In short: Heavily recommended!

P.s.: One story that's a little similar, when you read the blurb, could be [b:Children of Time|29501976|Children of Time|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1460204944s/29501976.jpg|45276208] by [a:Adrian Tchaikovsky|1445909|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1282303363p2/1445909.jpg]. But I've yet to read that one. ( )
  TechThing | Jan 22, 2021 |
Best appreciated in long absorbed chunks - too thoughtful and wonderful to read casually. Yet not at all difficult or intimidating. I'm over 1/3 through but I've a feeling I'll be recommending this to several people.

OK done:

The description is bad - the mission to Earth is illegal and secret. Humans were rescued by aliens from a condemned Earth many generations ago and are now beholden to fit in to their rescuers' prescriptives. The Beastship our humans ride in is a key, and very cool, part of the story. The number of pages of the book spent on Earth is a smaller portion than the trip there. Lots of world-building with cool concepts, not as much adventure as some readers would like.

Ironically, one of the lines I'm choosing to quote here resonated with a review I just wrote of a book I read a couple of days after this. I think you can appreciate Lindholm's point here without context: The man was a typical poet: he communicated to use words, rather than the other way around."

Here's context for the other quote I want to share. The story is indeed, at core, about environmentalism taken to the extreme. Humans are having trouble adapting to these very strict rules - we just aren't that tame. As one character says, "... the feeling spread.... Make no impact. Don't make a difference. Any change you make in the world is wrong. I went from 'do not be felt' to 'do not be seen.' And, finally, to 'do not be.'"

The reason I don't give this five stars is because I want to understand the aliens better. How, with their passive perspective, could they have developed intelligence enough to tame the Beastships and build radios etc.? I've always thought that it was axiomatic that humans dominate Earth because we're so, erm, domineering...." ( )
  Cheryl_in_CC_NV | Jun 6, 2016 |
Generations ago, an altruistic alien race, the Arthroplana, rescued
humanity from the ecological disaster of earth, and resettled them in
a new system, with dire warnings on the necessity of fitting in to the
local ecology. Since then, this desire to "leave no mark" has become
an obsession - possibly to the extreme detriment of the human race.
The result of generation of selective breeding has been a race of tiny
people who do not reach puberty until late middle age, who are in
danger of soon not being able to naturally reproduce at all.
But there is a radical element of humans that believe it has all been
a big lie - that Earth is really fine, and that the powers-that-be
don't want people to know about it. They blackmail a man, John, to
sign on to one of the alien Beastships to survey earth, and arrange to bring back data that hasn't been filtered.
But on the way, an ancient stowaway makes contact with the Beastship, which, shockingly, is no dumb beast but yet another sentient species fallen under the dominion of the Arthroplana. Her awakening could change everything.
An entertaining sci-fi book, but I did feel that in pointing out some
of the ridiculousness of ecological concerns gone overboard, some of the message of the seriousness of those concerns, and the importance of balance, goes astray. ( )
  AltheaAnn | Feb 9, 2016 |
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A classic science fiction adventure from the backlist of Megan Lindholm, who also writes as Robin Hobb. Generations ago humanity abandoned Earth. Now they have returned. Far from home, the Human race tries to atone for killing Terra thousands of years ago. Rescued by the enigmatic Arthroplana in their mysterious Beastships, they have been inserted into the fragile ecologies of the alien twin worlds of Castor and Pollux, where they must make no impact, where every drop of water must be returned. Humanity has adjusted - or tried to. Despite the constant watch of the Arthroplana and the HUman Conservancy, John Gen-93-Beta has agreed to captain the Beastship Evangeline on an unthinkable journey to a dead planet...Earth. And so begins an engrossing voyage of discovery for five travellers: John, his First Mate Connie, stowaaway Raef, Tug the Arthroplana and the Beastship Evangeline herself. On a planet none quite expected, each learns the power of being human.

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