Cry from a Far Planet

"Cry from a Far Planet" by Tom Godwin is a science fiction novel written during the mid-20th century. The story explores the challenges faced by an exploration crew attempting to communicate with an alien race on a distant planet, delving into themes of misunderstanding, trust, and the consequences of distrust between species. It encapsulates the complexities of first contact in a universe teeming with intelligent life. The narrative follows Paul Jameson, a lone survivor of an exploration mission after the tragic death of his twin brother, Johnny. Isolated on an alien world, Paul faces not only physical dangers but also the profound emotional turmoil stemming from his brother's loss. The primary conflict escalates when Throon, a native of the planet, becomes gravely ill due to radiation from Earth's technology. As Paul attempts to bridge the communication gap with the natives, he grapples with the implications of trust and betrayal after a telepathic alien, part of a race called the Varn, reveals itself. The Varn seek cooperation with humans to overcome the communication barrier that has led to misunderstandings and violence. Ultimately, Paul must make a pivotal choice: to embrace the potential for alliance with the Varn or to eliminate a possible threat to humanity. The tension between hope for mutual understanding and the instinct to protect his own race is at the heart of this thought-provoking exploration of contact with the unknown. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Tom Godwin was an American science fiction author active throughout the 1950s into the 1970s. In his career, Godwin published three novels and around thirty short stories. He is best known for his short story, "The Cold Equations". Published in 1954, the short story was Godwin’s fourth work to be published and was one whose controversial dark ending helped redefine the genre.