This was a dull way to show us an otherwise interesting and unique world. Though this is a short book, its plot is the “long walk” so common in fantasy and sci-fi. They may have lived without advanced technology, but their lives were extremely sophisticated in how they adapted to their environment. It made me feel a bit awkward, especially since Born’s community had made so many significant discoveries about the biology of their planet. The strangers describe Born and his people as savages, and I never got the sense that Foster disagreed with this label. You can probably guess what some of the themes of this book are: western culture vs.

When the strangers need an escort to return to their distant base, Born is the only one brave enough to accompany them. When a brave fighter named Born comes across a pair of humans who recently crash-landed a ship of their own, he decides to save them, though he realizes his people may disapprove of his decision. They live in the middle of the canopy, as far as possible from the creatures of the lower and upper “hells.” Generations later, the descendents of this crew have forgotten their origins and made a new life in harmony with the plants and creatures of the forest. This was my introduction, and I don’t know if it was the best pick.Ī fleet of human ships crash landed on a sprawling jungle planet rich with a variety of dangerous life. I’ve seen Alan Dean Foster’s name on the sci-fi shelves for years, and it sounds like he’s still writing well-received works. Re-readability: I won’t be revisiting this one. Adapt, adapt, adapt …!” ~ Alan Dean Foster, Midworld They matured and observed the world around them through different eyes. Their offspring grew up with no illusions about the supremacy of humankind or anykind. “A few, less constrained by pride and more resilient, survived and had children.

Midworld by Alan Dean Foster