Comments on: MIND MELD: The Best Aliens in Science Fiction

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 31 May 2012 15:18:59 +0000

Not a single mention of C. J. Cherryh? You could teach a course on how to write great aliens from her Chanur books alone.

By: Georges

Georges — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:37:58 +0000

One of the best depictions of non-anthropomorphic, non Earth lifeform-based aliens came in what might be the first modern depiction of such critters, in J.H. Rosny aîné’s “Les Xypéhuz” (1887) — An English translation is available here: http://www.blackcoatpress.com/rosnyworks.htm#Navigators — His “La mort de la terre” from c. 1910 postulates ferromagnetic lifeforms taking over the Earth after humans become extinct.

By: mordicai

mordicai — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:17:54 +0000

I have said many times that I like two kinds of aliens: hivemind & shapeshifters. Gene Wolfe is the master of the latter, but the oft cited Oankali are really great, too.

By: Kev McVeigh

Kev McVeigh — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:43:07 +0000

Whilst I totally agree with Kameron Hurley on aliens not merely ‘practicing a form of Buddhism’ and having head ridges, Mike Cobley also has a good point in that authorial intent matters a lot.
Many aliens are a political construct of the author, ie designed with a purpose related to the meaning of the novel. Judith Moffett’s Hefn for instance, Gwyneth Jones’ Aleutians, and karen Joy Fowler’s Sarah Canary all leap to mind of ones not already mentioned.