Color Of Distance: Amazon.ca: Amy Thomson: Books

Product Description

From Amazon.com

Juna is the sole survivor of a team of surveyors marooned in the dense, uninhabitable Tendu rainforest. Her only hope for survival is assimilation into the amphibian Tendu species. Now she must take on their life--and their fears--in a frightening world of alien possibilities. Amy Thomson's first novel, Virtual Girl, won the John W. Campbell award.

A portion of the proceeds of this book will be contributed to rainforest conservation. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

"The Color of Distance is an off-world tale of first contact and discovery, a long and loving evocation of a complex alien ecology...impassioned."--The Washington Post Book World

"An energetic and entertaining first contact novel, complete with charming, strange, dangerous aliens."--Vonda N. McIntyre

"Fast-paced, suspenseful science fiction."--Voya

"Deeply felt and closely imagined."--Mary Gentle

* Amy Thomson is a national bestselling author and winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer

* The Color of Distance was nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award for Best Paperback Original Novel

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A good effort, but hollow, Jan 1 2001

By	Tim Ciccone (Charlottesville, VA) - See all my reviews

I seem to be the lone voice of dissent here...

Well, Thomson *does* do a great job of creating a complex world with an ecology as rich and diverse as that of Herbert's Dune, but she fails to create any deeper meaning. Her book is pretty and delicious, but there is no substance beneath all the fluff. For all their apparent differences, the Tendu are disappointingly human. I bought this book anticipating a fresh look at alien first contact. Instead, I found a rather slow story about a woman who learns to "go native" in an alien society that's obviously modeled on earth's native tribes. What killed the book is that the aliens aren't really alien. Perhaps for many readers that is part of its charm, but not for me.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant linguistic and first contact novel, Jul 14 2004

By	Eric L., Yarnell (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a fantastic first contact novel. The alien culture was truly alien--not just some projection of some aspect of current Earth cultures as is the case in almost every book about aliens I've ever read. Amy has truly created a race distinct from humans and based on a realistic interaction with the environment based on sound evolutionary principles. And to top it off, a completely unique and wonderful linguistic system--what a joy! Additionally, the book was , in my opinion, amoral. It did not take sides and mark any practice as "evil" or "good," though it did realistically show how people in each race (human or tendu) may interpret various practices that way. It was wonderfully refreshing. The many interesting twists on first contact were also appreciated--the human turned alien, the alien tendu turning the tables on the arrogant humans (who assumed they had to protect the tendu from them), the hero's realism (she wasn't a superhero but did manage to persevere), etc. Thank you. Can't wait to go read the sequel.

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3.0 out of 5 stars OK, but not what I was expecting, Jun 3 2004

By	Ashley Megan "amazonfox" (Vernon, CT United States) - See all my reviews

I hate false advertising. I went into this book expecting (justifiably, from various reviews and blurbs) a story about a woman who faces the terrifying prospect of "total assimilation" into an alien species.
Not. Juna's desertion on the alien planet isn't even permanent, only a 4 year period between when her ship leaves and when the next one is scheduled to return. She is never completely assimilated into the native Tendu culture, only enough to survive in the harsh environment, and she always remains an outsider. The Tendu are barely even alien, aside from their physical appearance (the Tendu talk with their skin, flashing colors and patterns on their own bodies, hence the reference in the title).
That said, it is a good story, and Juna's transformation, while never separating her entirely from humanity, is intriguing. The Tendu as a whole aren't particularly likable, but that's OK - are aliens really supposed to be charming? There's a lot of description - of the ecology, of the Tendu, of their culture, etc - but it's interesting stuff, nonetheless, although the "alien" jungles sound more like the Amazon rainforest on acid than anything truly unique.
Lighter fare than most first contact stories, OK but not particularly thought-provoking.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book, but not for kids
What an amazing book. This book is split into sections often alternating between alien and human points of view. Read more

Published on Mar 21 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun first contact!
Amy Thomson does a wonderful job of letting the reader discover the culture of the Tendu right alongside with the marooned Juna Saari. Read more

Published on Nov 14 2001 by Julia Rampke

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've read in a while...
Wonderful book. A well thought out world complete with a fascinating ecosystem. Not for "action" fans. Read more

Published on Jun 17 2001 by Robin Green

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, Startling, and all together wonderfully Alien
I have to admit, I haven't ripped through a paperback like this in years--this novel is fascinating, puzzling, entrancing, expressive, impactful and all together alien--which is... Read more

Published on Feb 24 2001 by vle