Customer Reviews

Precursor (Foreigner 4)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The books of the "Foreigner" series aren't the usual kind of books where things happen and keep going until the end, and then stop. It's a world where you go to and live, for a while. You get a ride with Bren Cameron, the human ambassador/translator to the atevi, the species native to the world; you look at the world solely through his eyes and observe a wealth of culture, politics and personal relationships from his point of view. Being Bren Cameron among atevi absorbs you to the point of forgetting to get off the bus. The culture you're immersed into absorbs you to the point of avoiding even numbers as infelicitous for some time after finishing the book. To me, what actually happened in "Precursor" was comparatively unimportant as opposed to just getting to *be there* again. And of course, I was glad to find everyone I'd known from the former books alive and well.- The plot is flawlessly thought out and masterfully executed: the flow of time and action feels entirely natural and adds to your feeling of being at home in that world. Bren Cameron goes to the space station, together with "his" atevi, and solves a bunch of glitches and one major problem, vaccilating between experienced routine, inspired self-assurance, profound doubts and major new insights, just as we all do, just as we know him. In the process, there are all those little things that deeply touch our souls: like giving fruit candy to the *Phoenix*'s crew used only to bland rations, like Sabiso, the shy, young woman who comes along to serve Jago, like the two junior translators from Mospheira who are along for the trip and get their first wide-eyed experience of real atevi. And then there's that one big thing we learn about our favorite atevi, that doesn't change a thing, doesn't do anything for the plot, but so deeply startles and surprises us that it colours all three of the earlier books in retrospect and made me go back for the first one again the moment I finished "Precursor", to live through it all again knowing that... Oh yes, and of course the electronic archive of the whole of human literature and history is released to the Moshphei' and the atevi alike (happens early enough in the book that I don't think telling it constitutes a spoiler). One so looks forward to the first production of "Macbeth" by an atevi machimi troupe! And, ever since I regard the antics of our present-day political and military leaders with a new misgiving among all the customary ones: "How embarassing that the atevi get to read *this* in the archives!" Just think of all the collateral damage done in the small wars we had this year, with their apalling lack of biichi-gi, the atevi principle of political finesse and style in doing just the minimum of harm needed to effect one's aims: they're going to think we humans are utter barbarians.- Many things I have been asking myself on and off since the first three books have been answered in "Precusor"; and I look forward to the two other books that are announced to follow. There are still so many questions I'd like to see answered, and so many things I look forward to see - through Bren Camerons eyes. To whoever hasn't read these books yet, I can only warmly recommend: visit this world! It one of the most believable and most engaging ever to come out of the great stream of creativity that is Science Fiction.

Since discovering C.J. Cherryh's novels about the -atevi-, I've waited several years for PRECURSOR, and I'm delighted to say it was worth the wait.

Cherryh has a gift for combining breathless and sinister power politics and intricate plotting with a dry, unexpected wit that blindsides you and makes even readers familiar with her tactics laugh out loud. I count myself experienced in the ways of CJ's aliens, but this time, she startled me but good. (The people on the E train are USED to people letting out whoops of glee during rush hour, right? Oh well, they'll get over it.)

To borrow -atevi- speech constructions, I can only say that one will prove indecorously impatient for the next installment.

What is there to say? I have been waiting for this book for months, ever since it was announced and have been eagerly contacting my bookstore to find out when it was going to arrive. The wait was worth it, even though now I am waiting for the next in the series to appear. Cherryh just seems to get better and better and involves her reader completely in her universe. After finishing the book I found myself starting all my sentences with "one" and looking for felicitious numbers. How Bren Cameron has matured. Now so much more than just an interpreter and capable of taking on the responsibilities expected of him. So much more confidence in his dealings even if there are family problems to distract him. If you have enjoyed the first three books in this series you will enjoy this. I am now once more going to have to start at the beginning and reread books one two and three!

This is the crowning book of the series, starting with Foreigner. Cherryh mixes a new sociological challenge into her previous duality of human (Mospheiran) and Atevi (indigenous)peoples. With the addition of the culture of the "ship" and the "station" humans, the author provides an explosive mix of opinions and backgrounds. Without reading the previous trilogy, one cannot appreciate the complexity of Precursor. This was a book that I had problems setting down because I knew the main characters as friends of mine, whom I wished to succeed.

For the avid science-fiction reader, there is plenty of free-fall and low gravity action, with the additional science of orbital stations and the danger involved in the control of life support from a central board. As in many of this author's books, the story moves forward through the perceptions of the protagonist, and the reader is limited to the information available to Bren at the time. What I find enjoyable is that Bren Cameron is no fool, even though there are times when he regrets his actions or fears their results. He is able to steer three (four?) antagonistic cultures into confrontation with one another and the reader must read the entire book to learn the outcome.

At last! I read & reread this one 4 times in a 10 day period. The careful plotting and the characters are a real delight. It is nice to see characters grow, change & react to 'real life'. Bren Cameron is particurally good with all of his public face and inner conflicts. Nice to watch the unknown become revealled. The atevi in particular are a delight to read about. They show a flexibility that I did not really expect. Having already given my first copy to a friend overseas, I am now getting ready to buy the second copy - and bemoan the fact that I will have to wait for the next volume! Well worth the keeping!

Just finished reading Precursor. Many authors cannot successfully return to a world and set of characters from a previous trilogy, but this book shows once again that C.J. Cherryh is a great storyteller. This book picks up from the previous stories without losing a beat. If anything the storyline was more exciting and the characters had more depth and more heart. As soon as I reached the chapter where we knew the action was going to take place on the space station I was captivated. And having the dowager appear at a MOST critical scene in the midst of all the action was marvelous! Readers would need too be familiar with the first trilogy to truly appreciate the books, but this is not a problem for Cherryh fans.I look forward with much anticipation to the next book and the appearance of the dreaded and mysterious 'aliens'.I highly recommend this book.

There's something special, something felicitious, about CJ Cherryh's atevi. I have never found another author whose words resonate so delightfully in my heart and soul. Reading and re-reading only deepens the pleasure for me. Thanks to her skill as a writer I've flown in a shuttle, lived on a station and have been awed by aliens that appear more real than my neighbors. The atevi books are an experience for the senses. If one wishes to read words that can make one feel, smell, touch and hear an imaginary world and its inhabitants, this series will do it. I have one complaint: the next book isn't available yet!

Upon consideration, even some niggling doubts aren't enough to downgrade my review from "Smashing!". PRECURSOR lacks something, but only when compared head-on to FOREIGNER; considering the incredibly tough act this installment has to follow, I'm happy enough with it ;) . My only substantial complaint is an overall feeling of this volume being the set-up for a later payoff which we have to wait for; it's a ripping political thriller in itself, but it definitely leaves the reader starving for more. I only hope that the subsequent volumes can deliver on these promises with the same energy and followthrough that INVADER and INHERITOR managed to bring to the storyline of the first volume.

I have to tell you, I love the way Cherryh writes. It's not always easy to read her books, they're not the "mind candy" I sometimes like when I'm not willing to work with an author. Her writing requires work, attention, concentration. Often whole chapters can be used to describe a single incident, whole books cover just one week, or day. But there's always action for those parts that require it, it's not all philosophy and tea. I just enjoy an author who refuses to dumb down her work, and makes us use our brains a bit, while expanding what we think and how we perceive things.

This latest installment in the Atevi series should be read after the other three, otherwise it will be harder to understand a lot of the background. But for a fan of the series, and her work, this book is a welcome addition to the group. More, CJ, more!

I've thoroughly enjoyed every book of the Foreigner series. I had no idea what C.J. planned to follow in the storyline -- I just hoped she would. Now that I know, I'm amazed. Her characters continue to grow in depth and charm. Her view of station life and how it may affect those living in that environment is particularly relevant as we start one above this world. I highly recommend this series to non-sf readers as well as sf readers. As usual, I found myself laughing out loud between moments of awe. Thanks, C.J. Keep 'em coming! And I'll keep my candy tray filled.