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Humanx Commonwealth #4
Midworld
Aliens invade the peaceful, tropical planet, MidWorld, where they are taught how to survive by the gentle Born even as they plot the destruction of him and his people. By the author of Mid-Flinx. Reissue.
213 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
309 people are currently reading
1,902 people want to read
About the author
Alan Dean Foster
461Ìýbooks1,954ÌýfollowersBestselling science fiction writer Alan Dean Foster was born in New York City in 1946, but raised mainly in California. He received a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA in 1968, and a M.F.A. in 1969. Foster lives in Arizona with his wife, but he enjoys traveling because it gives him opportunities to meet new people and explore new places and cultures. This interest is carried over to his writing, but with a twist: the new places encountered in his books are likely to be on another planet, and the people may belong to an alien race.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
September 21, 2010
3.5 to 4.0 stars. Another quality science fiction novel by Alan Dean Foster. This story (Book 1 of the Humanx Commonwealth series) takes place on an unnamed world where descendants of a earlier colony ship have evolved into a very symbiotic relationship with the world around them and there existence is disrupted by another ship's arrival to exploit the planet for commercial gain.
I thought the story was very well written, fast-paced and I thought the world-building was superb. A quality SF story and one I recommend.
SIDE NOTE: If the plot sounds a lot like the movie Avatar, it is because there are some "striking" similarities. First, the world is almost completely jungle with violent plant and animal life. Second, the inhabitants worship the jungle/planet. Third, the arrival of human commercial interest to exploit the planet. There is also at least 4, 5 and 6 but I do not want to give away any spoilers.
I thought the story was very well written, fast-paced and I thought the world-building was superb. A quality SF story and one I recommend.
SIDE NOTE: If the plot sounds a lot like the movie Avatar, it is because there are some "striking" similarities. First, the world is almost completely jungle with violent plant and animal life. Second, the inhabitants worship the jungle/planet. Third, the arrival of human commercial interest to exploit the planet. There is also at least 4, 5 and 6 but I do not want to give away any spoilers.
April 14, 2017
As a professional biologist, I absolutely love this book and always have. ADF usually spins out okay though entertaining yarns. But this one is something special, with a real appreciation of how an alien ecosystem would work. Perhaps the best biological SF I've ever read. This is a theme that runs through all of his work, but especially apparent here.
Oh, and totally obvious that James Cameron ripped this off from ADF for Avatar. I read this in ~1980, and that it is the source material for Avatar leaped out at me while viewing the film. No doubt whatsoever.
Circling back years later: Objectively, Midworld isn't a 5 star book. Foster isn't great at characters, plot or dialog, but rather in worlds and systems. Yet Midworld stands as an unusually striking world - particularly in the context of its time - with some subtle and not-so-subtle allegory included. Still a great read, and better than most of Foster's oeuvre.
Oh, and totally obvious that James Cameron ripped this off from ADF for Avatar. I read this in ~1980, and that it is the source material for Avatar leaped out at me while viewing the film. No doubt whatsoever.
Circling back years later: Objectively, Midworld isn't a 5 star book. Foster isn't great at characters, plot or dialog, but rather in worlds and systems. Yet Midworld stands as an unusually striking world - particularly in the context of its time - with some subtle and not-so-subtle allegory included. Still a great read, and better than most of Foster's oeuvre.
April 21, 2020
Great SiFi/adventure story, just what you expect from an Alan Dean Foster story. 2 things about the world setting made this one stand out to me. The world is very much like the 1960s "Green Star" series by Lin Cater and the story line reminds me alot of the movie "Avatar". I wonder how much cross influence there was between these 3 stories. Nice read. Very recommended
November 25, 2015
‘Midworld� is both an exciting adventure story and an allegory for the ongoing struggle between the natural world and the demands of industry.
It’s fast-paced and chock full of action (it’s remarkably violent in places, actually, but not gratuitously so). It would probably have made a fantastic movie if James Cameron’s ‘Avatar� hadn’t been so similar. (Some have suggested that ‘Avatar� is little more than a rip-off of ‘Midworld� but, generous soul that I am, I’m going to put it down to convergent evolution rather than plagiarism.)
The world-building is also great; something I’ve come to expect from Foster while reading his Humanx Commonwealth series.
I recommend this book to anybody who likes a good science fiction/space opera romp or just wants to put on their hippy beads and shout ‘Careful now! Down with this sort of thing!�
It’s fast-paced and chock full of action (it’s remarkably violent in places, actually, but not gratuitously so). It would probably have made a fantastic movie if James Cameron’s ‘Avatar� hadn’t been so similar. (Some have suggested that ‘Avatar� is little more than a rip-off of ‘Midworld� but, generous soul that I am, I’m going to put it down to convergent evolution rather than plagiarism.)
The world-building is also great; something I’ve come to expect from Foster while reading his Humanx Commonwealth series.
I recommend this book to anybody who likes a good science fiction/space opera romp or just wants to put on their hippy beads and shout ‘Careful now! Down with this sort of thing!�
August 5, 2021
Midworld was one of the very first novels set in Foster's Humanx Commonwealth universe, and is a very good ecological tale, one of his finest achievements of world-building. The plot may feel a bit contrived in places, but the characters are engaging and sympathetic. It's a bit reminiscent of Cameron's Avatar film (I know, almost every other reviewer here has pointed that out), but I think Midworld is more intelligent. And you have to love H.R. Von Dongen's cover on the early paperback edition... it captures Foster's description very well!
August 24, 2011
Awesome book! I first read "Alien" before I saw the movie because I wanted to desensitize myself for what I heard was in it. Then I came across "Midworld."
Now I love novels that surprise me with a revelation that sneaks up on the reader even though the clues were there. "The Mote In God's Eye" did that, as I related when I reviewed that book.
This one delivered a SURPRISE (all caps here). I won't spoil it for anyone who has not read it.
More recently, I saw the movie "Avatar" and realized that Mr. Foster was robbed! The parallels between "Avatar" and "Midworld" are many and obvious. Anyone who reads or has read the book will, I think, be in the same camp.
Now I love novels that surprise me with a revelation that sneaks up on the reader even though the clues were there. "The Mote In God's Eye" did that, as I related when I reviewed that book.
This one delivered a SURPRISE (all caps here). I won't spoil it for anyone who has not read it.
More recently, I saw the movie "Avatar" and realized that Mr. Foster was robbed! The parallels between "Avatar" and "Midworld" are many and obvious. Anyone who reads or has read the book will, I think, be in the same camp.
July 25, 2024
„Die denkenden Wälder� ist für mich mein Jahreshighlight für das 1. Halbjahr 2024. Foster schreibt über einen anderen Planeten, einen der von Wald, wilden Tieren und Natur nur so strotzt. Es gibt dort auch menschliche Wesen, Eingeborene, die im Einklang mit dem Planeten leben. Born, der Hauptprotagonist, ist ein Jäger und Abenteurer. Eines Tages rettet er zwei fremde Menschen, die aus unserer technischen Zivilisation stammen und die nun zu ihrer erst kürzlich auf dem Planeten installierten Station zurückkehren wollen. Dies können beide aber ohne die Hilfe von Born nicht schaffen, denn die Natur auf dem Planeten ist vielfältig und gefährlich. Es beginnt eine wunderbare Reise, und diese endet sehr berührend. Ein insgesamt herausragend guter Roman, ausgewogen, faszinierend, atmosphärisch, mit liebevollen Charakteren und Tiefgang: Es zeigt die Unfähigkeit des zivilisierten Menschen mit der Natur auf dem Planeten zu leben, � der moderne Mensch nimmt und nimmt, ohne zu fragen � und gibt nichts zurück.
Ein ganz klares fünf Sterne Buch.
Ein ganz klares fünf Sterne Buch.
June 29, 2024
Surprisingly good!
I’ve seen Alan Dean Foster books around at used bookstores for years and avoided them because I thought of him as the movie tie in guy.
This does play out like a movie. It’s short with a tight plot, simple, workman prose and an interesting take on the story.
The story itself is quite a bit like avatar (I wonder if he wrote the tie in novel for the movie that ripped him off) even more than Ursula K Leguin’s the word for world is forest. What he does that’s interesting in this and another of his books I’m reading is not have humans as the POV characters. The humans are the outsiders coming to these people’s world.
Nicely done, I’ll definitely read more of his stuff, especially the humanx commonwealth stories.
I’ve seen Alan Dean Foster books around at used bookstores for years and avoided them because I thought of him as the movie tie in guy.
This does play out like a movie. It’s short with a tight plot, simple, workman prose and an interesting take on the story.
The story itself is quite a bit like avatar (I wonder if he wrote the tie in novel for the movie that ripped him off) even more than Ursula K Leguin’s the word for world is forest. What he does that’s interesting in this and another of his books I’m reading is not have humans as the POV characters. The humans are the outsiders coming to these people’s world.
Nicely done, I’ll definitely read more of his stuff, especially the humanx commonwealth stories.
May 1, 2020
4 stars - It was great. I loved it.
I could definitely see where Cameron used this as inspiration for Avatar, yet it was a completely different story.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: You cannot live with a world by taking when and where it suits only you, or eventually, your world dies and you with it.
First Sentence: World with no name.
I could definitely see where Cameron used this as inspiration for Avatar, yet it was a completely different story.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: You cannot live with a world by taking when and where it suits only you, or eventually, your world dies and you with it.
First Sentence: World with no name.
Read
June 1, 2010After you read this, tell me that Cameron didn't rip this off for 'Avatar'.
Just sayin'
Just sayin'
January 17, 2018
I picked up this book because I watch Todd the Librarian on YouTube and this is her favourite book. I figured if it’s good enough for Todd then it’s good enough for me and so I picked it up, and it was delightful.
What’s interesting about it is that it’s almost like a mixture of fantasy and science fiction, following the story of Born as he defends his village against the creatures of the forest. They live amongst the trees and live in harmony with the planet, but then a couple of strange men show up from a futuristic world. What follows is a classic case of technology not being all that it’s cracked up to be.
I thought this was a fantastic read, and Alan Dean Foster has an unusual writing style that’s perfect for people who love strange words and beautiful language. At the same time, at its heart it’s just a good old-fashioned adventure story, but it also has a lot to say about society. It’s arguably even more relevant now than it was when it was published back in 1977. It was a great little book and I’m glad I picked it up. Thanks, Todd!
What’s interesting about it is that it’s almost like a mixture of fantasy and science fiction, following the story of Born as he defends his village against the creatures of the forest. They live amongst the trees and live in harmony with the planet, but then a couple of strange men show up from a futuristic world. What follows is a classic case of technology not being all that it’s cracked up to be.
I thought this was a fantastic read, and Alan Dean Foster has an unusual writing style that’s perfect for people who love strange words and beautiful language. At the same time, at its heart it’s just a good old-fashioned adventure story, but it also has a lot to say about society. It’s arguably even more relevant now than it was when it was published back in 1977. It was a great little book and I’m glad I picked it up. Thanks, Todd!
February 22, 2023
I liked how he creates an alien ecosystem and shows cultural differences of those at one with nature and those not. Clever plot.
March 7, 2024
An alien invasion story where human beings show up to pillage a foreign planet where chlorophyll-based life dominates to the point that all creatures live in symbiosis with the vegetation. The setting is creative and reminds me of the relationship of Orson Scott Card’s piggies and mother trees. However, the writing is painfully artless and too on-the-nose. The characters are all very flat and exist only to flesh out the theme of colonialism’s “taking� vs mutualism’s “sharing.�
August 9, 2024
3.75 stars. listened to the audiobook version.
Midworld by Alan Dean Foster is a science fiction is about humans the outsiders were being helped by the local residents of the planet, and saw the unfold world of the forests. It’s a book about nature, how to be coexisted with nature and the balance of in the environment. It reminded me of Downward to the Earth and Hothouse. I saw the similar themes in the two books, such as the misunderstanding of the native alien species about their cultures, principles etc and the outstanding world of exuberant forests; but it is not quite as good as the two book. Still has some interesting settings and alien planets or animals.
the conflict with the commonwealth company and the aboriginals or the long time ago survivors of the colonists; their life has been emfolding the forests for a long time. The two aboriginals, Born and Losting have rescued the humans from the top of the forests; the two protagonists accepted the guiding the humans to their station. But the story has a more dramatic twists in the end.
Overall, it is a good story even though the writing and world building not quite as sophisticated as Hothouse and Downward to the earth. However, you can still get the benefits from reading Midworld with its interesting world and characters.
Midworld by Alan Dean Foster is a science fiction is about humans the outsiders were being helped by the local residents of the planet, and saw the unfold world of the forests. It’s a book about nature, how to be coexisted with nature and the balance of in the environment. It reminded me of Downward to the Earth and Hothouse. I saw the similar themes in the two books, such as the misunderstanding of the native alien species about their cultures, principles etc and the outstanding world of exuberant forests; but it is not quite as good as the two book. Still has some interesting settings and alien planets or animals.
the conflict with the commonwealth company and the aboriginals or the long time ago survivors of the colonists; their life has been emfolding the forests for a long time. The two aboriginals, Born and Losting have rescued the humans from the top of the forests; the two protagonists accepted the guiding the humans to their station. But the story has a more dramatic twists in the end.
Overall, it is a good story even though the writing and world building not quite as sophisticated as Hothouse and Downward to the earth. However, you can still get the benefits from reading Midworld with its interesting world and characters.
January 23, 2014
Midworld by Alan Dean Foster is one of my all-time favorite books. Set on, possibly, the most wonderfully described planet in the sci-fi genre. An alien world covered in a lush forest jungle half a kilometer deep. As you descend from the highest level of the canopy, each of the seven levels has its own unique ecological niche of flora and fauna. Three levels deep, a seemingly primitive native people reside. Strangely humanlike, they are endowed with certain physical features suited for their environment.
A male native named Born is the main protagonist in the story as he goes about the business of gathering, hunting, and exploring with his symbiotic partner, Ruumahum, a six-legged beast called a furcot. Unlike many in his tribe, Born is curious about the world beyond the safety of his village and he treks farther, deeper, and higher than the others in his community.
As a reader, I could see, hear, touch, smell, and taste the world’s endless diversity. At times, a sixth sense permeates the story, and in the end, the reader fully realizes the enormity of Born’s world and how his people came about.
I would have been quite satisfied to simply go along with Born’s wanderings, but as always, an antagonist must be introduced whether it’s a rival for the affections of a sought-after female in Born’s tribe or the discovery of others not native to Born’s world, but oddly familiar in appearance and certain mindsets. Given Born’s insatiable curiosity, he guides his newfound friends back to their ship where he discovers their true intentions.
Any aficionado of sci-fi, fantasy, and action adventure should appreciate this story. As someone who has a great affection for the woods and waters and the natural world, I can’t help but notice parallels between Born’s world and my own. Unlike humans and earth, Born and his people have nurtured a respectful and sustainable relationship with their world.
A male native named Born is the main protagonist in the story as he goes about the business of gathering, hunting, and exploring with his symbiotic partner, Ruumahum, a six-legged beast called a furcot. Unlike many in his tribe, Born is curious about the world beyond the safety of his village and he treks farther, deeper, and higher than the others in his community.
As a reader, I could see, hear, touch, smell, and taste the world’s endless diversity. At times, a sixth sense permeates the story, and in the end, the reader fully realizes the enormity of Born’s world and how his people came about.
I would have been quite satisfied to simply go along with Born’s wanderings, but as always, an antagonist must be introduced whether it’s a rival for the affections of a sought-after female in Born’s tribe or the discovery of others not native to Born’s world, but oddly familiar in appearance and certain mindsets. Given Born’s insatiable curiosity, he guides his newfound friends back to their ship where he discovers their true intentions.
Any aficionado of sci-fi, fantasy, and action adventure should appreciate this story. As someone who has a great affection for the woods and waters and the natural world, I can’t help but notice parallels between Born’s world and my own. Unlike humans and earth, Born and his people have nurtured a respectful and sustainable relationship with their world.
January 27, 2013
This was an pleasant & unexpected find! Surely this is the germ of the idea James Cameron developed Avatar from. More than germ, maybe. I'd tell you about it, but if you've seen Avatar there's no need. As always, Foster is a methodical writer. Is using the phrase "workmanlike prose" damning with faint praise? But the way I see it is, if you aren't one of those gifted with gorgeous, lyrical prose but still have good story ideas percolating in your head, then the best thing you can do is get your ego out of the way and just tell the tale. And that's how I've always felt about him.
April 24, 2023
„There are ecosystems that are defenseless against their destruction. But there exist also those that strike back mercilessly.�
„You cannot live with a world by taking when and where it suits only you, or eventually your world dies and you with it.�
Magnificent read!
„You cannot live with a world by taking when and where it suits only you, or eventually your world dies and you with it.�
Magnificent read!
March 9, 2025
This is definitely what Avatar should have been.
December 24, 2021
When I got this I wasn't aware it was (VERY loosely) part of a series and thankfully it didn't matter as this reads as a standalone book. The synopsis provided is a bit melodramatic and doesn't accurately tell the story of this book, but it does provide a hint at the conflict in the book. Of course, there is as much conflict between the planet itself and its inhabitants, which is the underlying current throughout the book.
This is a great read for those days when you want a book that is interesting, intriguing, and isn't going to tax your brain with scientific theorems or robots. There are parts that are predictable and at times it reads like a B-movie, but it never loses its charm. Foster is a great author for creating characters with a little depth that you will care about as they go about their adventures, and this book lives up to that. If you are a Foster fan, like a dose of light sci-fi, or are just looking for an interesting book on the lighter side to read in front of a fireplace or in a recliner, I can recommend this as an enjoyable use of time.
This is a great read for those days when you want a book that is interesting, intriguing, and isn't going to tax your brain with scientific theorems or robots. There are parts that are predictable and at times it reads like a B-movie, but it never loses its charm. Foster is a great author for creating characters with a little depth that you will care about as they go about their adventures, and this book lives up to that. If you are a Foster fan, like a dose of light sci-fi, or are just looking for an interesting book on the lighter side to read in front of a fireplace or in a recliner, I can recommend this as an enjoyable use of time.
December 18, 2024
Vor einigen Jahrhunderten mussten sich die Siedler eines verirrten Kolonistenschiffs auf dem von einem gigantischen Dschungel überwuchernden Planeten ansiedeln. Sie überlebten nur knapp und sind aufs Niveau einer Stammesgesellschaft herabgesunken (oder war das gar kein Herabsinken?). Es gibt viele schreckliche Gefahren. Der Jäger Born ist der junge Rebell. Er will ein Mädchen beeindrucken und Anerkennung vom Stamm finden, bei dem er durch seine Aktionen aber eher als verrückt gilt. Darum steigt er auch hinab, als ein riesiges metallenes Ding im Dschungel abstürzt.
Besser als erwartet. Ich hatte nämlich den Eindruck gewonnen, ich hätte Foster früher total überschätzt. Dieser Roman hat mir ganz gut gefallen. Die Schilderung der Flora und Fauna ist sehr phantasievoll und gut gelungen. Auch die Schilderung der Gedankenwelt der Bewohner war überzeugend. Der Roman ist ernsthafter als z.B. "Vorposten des Commonwealth", den ich vor kurzem las und der im gleichen Universum spielt.
Foster will eine Ökobotschaft rüberbringen, wie man sie in den 70ern und 80ern in der SF sehr häufig antreffen konnte. Leider kommt sie mit ihrem Gut-Böse-Schema etwas zu einfach rüber. Jedenfalls steuert Foster hierfür den Roman auf ein bestimmtes Ende zu, was sich aber auf realistische und überzeugende Weise kaum hinkriegen ließ (mehr will ich jetzt hier nicht sagen). Darum fand ich dieses Ende doch recht enttäuschend und kann doch nur 3/5 Sternen vergeben
Besser als erwartet. Ich hatte nämlich den Eindruck gewonnen, ich hätte Foster früher total überschätzt. Dieser Roman hat mir ganz gut gefallen. Die Schilderung der Flora und Fauna ist sehr phantasievoll und gut gelungen. Auch die Schilderung der Gedankenwelt der Bewohner war überzeugend. Der Roman ist ernsthafter als z.B. "Vorposten des Commonwealth", den ich vor kurzem las und der im gleichen Universum spielt.
Foster will eine Ökobotschaft rüberbringen, wie man sie in den 70ern und 80ern in der SF sehr häufig antreffen konnte. Leider kommt sie mit ihrem Gut-Böse-Schema etwas zu einfach rüber. Jedenfalls steuert Foster hierfür den Roman auf ein bestimmtes Ende zu, was sich aber auf realistische und überzeugende Weise kaum hinkriegen ließ (mehr will ich jetzt hier nicht sagen). Darum fand ich dieses Ende doch recht enttäuschend und kann doch nur 3/5 Sternen vergeben
March 12, 2024
Great world building but characters not well developed, didn't matter if they lived or died.
June 9, 2020
Deep forest, atmospheric, jungle inundated adventure awaits the reader of this 1975 sci-fi classic. It is a thin novel, only thirteen chapters, but full of life, mainly strange plant life. The planet with no name has multiple levels. Both the top level and the bottom are called hell. There's plenty of hell sandwiched in between too, in the form of weird predators seeking victims.
Born is the point of view character and though he's never lived on Earth, he's quite human with normal emotions like love, jealousy, and pride. Lots of pride. Look-at-me-admire-me type pride... which often ends in disappointment for him.
One day while out hunting he sees something shiny and blue fall through the jungle, and knowing it shouldn't be there, he's intrigued enough to gather a hunting party and go look for it. What he finds there could change the history of his people forever - or will it? Born isn't easily led astry, yet he's fascinated and wants to know more.
I recommend this short novel. It isn't my usual type of book but I do try to take in a few science fiction novels each year. This is a good one.
I read this to fulfill a 2020 PopSugar Reading Challenge prompt, to read a book recommended by a favorite vlogger - and though I have many favorites, has mentioned this book so many times, it immediately came to mind. I listened to the audiobook version sold by Audible. Though the book was originally published back in 1975, the Audible version was released in 2019. Glad I waited for it. I also got the Kindle version so I could understand some of the names as they were odd, like "Ruumahum" the "furcot" . . . sometimes a printed version is helpful, especially when exploring strange worlds. The audiobook has an excellent narration, by Eric Martin.
Born is the point of view character and though he's never lived on Earth, he's quite human with normal emotions like love, jealousy, and pride. Lots of pride. Look-at-me-admire-me type pride... which often ends in disappointment for him.
One day while out hunting he sees something shiny and blue fall through the jungle, and knowing it shouldn't be there, he's intrigued enough to gather a hunting party and go look for it. What he finds there could change the history of his people forever - or will it? Born isn't easily led astry, yet he's fascinated and wants to know more.
I recommend this short novel. It isn't my usual type of book but I do try to take in a few science fiction novels each year. This is a good one.
I read this to fulfill a 2020 PopSugar Reading Challenge prompt, to read a book recommended by a favorite vlogger - and though I have many favorites, has mentioned this book so many times, it immediately came to mind. I listened to the audiobook version sold by Audible. Though the book was originally published back in 1975, the Audible version was released in 2019. Glad I waited for it. I also got the Kindle version so I could understand some of the names as they were odd, like "Ruumahum" the "furcot" . . . sometimes a printed version is helpful, especially when exploring strange worlds. The audiobook has an excellent narration, by Eric Martin.
March 13, 2025
Alan Dean Foster loves words. It's always a delight when an author is having fun. His prose is florid, unnecessarily so at times, but I forgive him that, because I can tell he was smiling when he wrote it. The love of language seeps into the book's worldbuilding, too: Foster's attention to idiomatic drift in isolated human populations is paralleled only by his attention to plants.
Alan Dean Foster LOVES plants. I mean, the book is literally dedicated to a houseplant. Plants are not just scenery to him: they are dynamic, terrifying, beautiful characters. The setting's visceral detail is essential for communicating Midworld's core themes, which, refreshingly for a book written by a white guy in the 70's, are environmentalist without being anti-human: We are part of the world. Harm done to the world is harm done to ourselves. Love for the world is love for ourselves.
The human characters are compelling, too. They clash realistically without ever diverting the plot, where a pointless argument could suck all the air out of the world's deadliest road trip. Instead, the tension seethes and builds while Foster reserves his punches for the book's true conflict: the horror of extraction. Harm done to the world is rationalized by exceptionalism, "us versus it". Any persons who retain love for themselves are easily reclassified as "it". But a people that is part of the world is not so easily destroyed.
It's been some time since I last read Le Guin's The Word for World is Forest. I want to return to it now and compare it to Midworld; the two stories are clearly kindred. I remember finding Word for World brutal, almost unbearably so. I'm not sure what I'll find this time.
June 5, 2023
So this was published 3 years after The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K Leguin, and I feel like there are definite similarities. While Leguin is one of my absolute favorite authors, I think I liked this book more than The Word for World is Forest. I don't want to say it was better than that book, but I certainly enjoyed it more. In both books we have outside forces encroaching and seeking to exploit a more environmentally conscious population. Maybe I liked this one more because there was more dangerous flora, and that's always something I love, or maybe it was just because it was slightly more exciting. The Word for World is Forest might be a slight bit more heady, and I'm absolute sucker for the dream world stuff, but this book was pretty damn awesome..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2017
I'm not gonna lie. I bought this book purely because of the green, three-eyed cow-bear on the cover. My expectations weren't particularly high, and perhaps that explains why I was able to enjoy it so much.
The strength of the book, for me, was in the world Foster has built. As other reviewers have commented, there are numerous parallels to the movie Avatar � the home tree, the rainforest setting, and the symbiotic relationship between the inhabitants and the rainforest (among many others). The division of the enormous rainforest into seven separate layers quickly became one of my favourite aspects of the story. Each layer brings its own unique dangers both in regards to the animal and plant life as well as how the characters interact and physically traverse the different levels. Foster does a great job giving the layers their own character largely through the different threats they present to the inhabitants, particularly the very top canopy (Upper Hell) and the very bottom layer (Lower/ True Hell) setting the atmosphere of each layer all the while maintaining a quick pace.
In terms of character growth, there isn't much, but given the short length and the nature of the story, it isn't entirely necessary anyway, or at least it doesn't detract from the other, positive aspects of the story. Characterisation isn't extensive but it is present and good enough to carry the story. The protagonist, Born, is innately curious, labelled 'insane' by his tribe due to his desperation to prove himself as the best hunter. These traits aren't exactly original but they're executed well enough and at least give us a very active and likeable protagonist to follow. Born's friend the furcot, Rhuumahum (the three eyed cow-bear on the cover) is also easy to like and their relationship helps to convey Foster's idea of symbiosis and interconnectedness that permeates the alien world.
With an active hero and a very hostile and violent world there's definitely no shortage of action. Midworld hops from conflict to conflict though still manages to maintain a good deal of variety thanks to the nature of the different threats within the forest � from ravenous swarms to enormous flying creatures and toxic plant life. And with the arrival of 'the giants' we also get an extra dimension regarding their intent towards the native population and how their values interact and conflict with those of the native inhabitants.
The world-building, either through character dialogue or the narrator's voice, rarely lets up, and while it is interesting it does get a little tiring towards the end. Thankfully, Midworld is only a little over 200 pages so it doesn't become much of a problem. The short length serves Foster's style of story telling well.
Fast-paced, set in a very engaging world, with a meaningful theme. If the setting and ideas in James Cameron's Avatar appealed to you then there's a good chance you'll find lots to enjoy in Midworld.
The strength of the book, for me, was in the world Foster has built. As other reviewers have commented, there are numerous parallels to the movie Avatar � the home tree, the rainforest setting, and the symbiotic relationship between the inhabitants and the rainforest (among many others). The division of the enormous rainforest into seven separate layers quickly became one of my favourite aspects of the story. Each layer brings its own unique dangers both in regards to the animal and plant life as well as how the characters interact and physically traverse the different levels. Foster does a great job giving the layers their own character largely through the different threats they present to the inhabitants, particularly the very top canopy (Upper Hell) and the very bottom layer (Lower/ True Hell) setting the atmosphere of each layer all the while maintaining a quick pace.
In terms of character growth, there isn't much, but given the short length and the nature of the story, it isn't entirely necessary anyway, or at least it doesn't detract from the other, positive aspects of the story. Characterisation isn't extensive but it is present and good enough to carry the story. The protagonist, Born, is innately curious, labelled 'insane' by his tribe due to his desperation to prove himself as the best hunter. These traits aren't exactly original but they're executed well enough and at least give us a very active and likeable protagonist to follow. Born's friend the furcot, Rhuumahum (the three eyed cow-bear on the cover) is also easy to like and their relationship helps to convey Foster's idea of symbiosis and interconnectedness that permeates the alien world.
With an active hero and a very hostile and violent world there's definitely no shortage of action. Midworld hops from conflict to conflict though still manages to maintain a good deal of variety thanks to the nature of the different threats within the forest � from ravenous swarms to enormous flying creatures and toxic plant life. And with the arrival of 'the giants' we also get an extra dimension regarding their intent towards the native population and how their values interact and conflict with those of the native inhabitants.
The world-building, either through character dialogue or the narrator's voice, rarely lets up, and while it is interesting it does get a little tiring towards the end. Thankfully, Midworld is only a little over 200 pages so it doesn't become much of a problem. The short length serves Foster's style of story telling well.
Fast-paced, set in a very engaging world, with a meaningful theme. If the setting and ideas in James Cameron's Avatar appealed to you then there's a good chance you'll find lots to enjoy in Midworld.
September 19, 2011
Through-out the course of this book I was thinking of giving it 2 stars. Till the last 20 pages are so. That so rarely happens in bookreading, that the end somehow pulls it all together? That's what we all hope for when reading a book that drags, we stick with it, and so often we are never rewarded for our readers diligence.
Greedy resource seeking humans land on another planet, and get to work in leaching all the natural resources from it. The planet they land on, is comparable to a Rainforest, there are different levels, each with their own variety of predators. Most of the "human" life there has never been to the higher or lower levels, and if they have, so few have come back alive that they avoid them.
Except Born, he's a little mad and reckless, and tends to travel farther from the Home tree and deeper into the levels then the others. Along with is trusty furcot, a sentient, six legged, creature that has a symbiotic relationship with a human (all have one), Born finds a destroyed skimmer, along with two living inhabitants.
He takes them back to his Home tree, and they learn about the local flora/fauna as it repeatedly tries to kill them. Once at the Home tree they make their plans to return to their own central spaceship. Born and his alpha Male competition Losting go along with him.
It's a familiar premise, high tech humans who are helpless in the wild, but still manage to deride their "primitive" native guides, are fragile, needy, and argumentative. The guides are not very communicative, which makes their actions all the more primitive seeming. Along with a manipulative greedy company, that tries the "we'll trade you these cheap beads for your land and livehood" trick on said uncivilized humans.
And at this point, the unexpected happens. This movie is reminiscent of Avatar, but instead of banding together animals and natives into an all out war, with wooden spears against automatic riffles and lasers. Born smiles, nods, and.....And it is awesome, and got this book to 3 stars.
Greedy resource seeking humans land on another planet, and get to work in leaching all the natural resources from it. The planet they land on, is comparable to a Rainforest, there are different levels, each with their own variety of predators. Most of the "human" life there has never been to the higher or lower levels, and if they have, so few have come back alive that they avoid them.
Except Born, he's a little mad and reckless, and tends to travel farther from the Home tree and deeper into the levels then the others. Along with is trusty furcot, a sentient, six legged, creature that has a symbiotic relationship with a human (all have one), Born finds a destroyed skimmer, along with two living inhabitants.
He takes them back to his Home tree, and they learn about the local flora/fauna as it repeatedly tries to kill them. Once at the Home tree they make their plans to return to their own central spaceship. Born and his alpha Male competition Losting go along with him.
It's a familiar premise, high tech humans who are helpless in the wild, but still manage to deride their "primitive" native guides, are fragile, needy, and argumentative. The guides are not very communicative, which makes their actions all the more primitive seeming. Along with a manipulative greedy company, that tries the "we'll trade you these cheap beads for your land and livehood" trick on said uncivilized humans.
And at this point, the unexpected happens. This movie is reminiscent of Avatar, but instead of banding together animals and natives into an all out war, with wooden spears against automatic riffles and lasers. Born smiles, nods, and.....And it is awesome, and got this book to 3 stars.
September 17, 2018
Wow, I really liked this!! I read this off of my 30 before 30 lists and for Tome Infinity and Beyond, a science fiction readathon.
We are thrown into this planet that is basically one giant rain forest. We follow Born, who is the outcast of his people, trying to impress and make his mark. A large, foreign object crashes through the forest that ends up opening the eyes of these natives to the universe around them.
Getting into this book was a little slow for me at first just because I wasn't quite sure what was happening, and then there are many words that are unique to this world. I was thinking I was dumb and didn't know these words, turns out it was just words for the millions of plants and animal life that make up this world-with-no-name.
After being reminded that this book is kind of like Avitar, I had a better base for what the planet was like. Then obviously the more we got into the story, I was simply hooked. This does have some similarities to Avitar, but it is not exactly the same.
For such a short book, this book is ridiculously atmospheric and emotional. This is part of a series that encompasses many different worlds and I do plan to continue.
Thank you Todd for the recommendation!
We are thrown into this planet that is basically one giant rain forest. We follow Born, who is the outcast of his people, trying to impress and make his mark. A large, foreign object crashes through the forest that ends up opening the eyes of these natives to the universe around them.
Getting into this book was a little slow for me at first just because I wasn't quite sure what was happening, and then there are many words that are unique to this world. I was thinking I was dumb and didn't know these words, turns out it was just words for the millions of plants and animal life that make up this world-with-no-name.
After being reminded that this book is kind of like Avitar, I had a better base for what the planet was like. Then obviously the more we got into the story, I was simply hooked. This does have some similarities to Avitar, but it is not exactly the same.
For such a short book, this book is ridiculously atmospheric and emotional. This is part of a series that encompasses many different worlds and I do plan to continue.
Thank you Todd for the recommendation!
March 29, 2010
Foster creates an excellent "full-immersion" experience with this world. Love his tongue-in-cheek style; a fun read.
September 30, 2011
I have a full shelf of Alan Dean Foster, and this is one of the most worn. Read it! Think of the Celtic world tree!
August 15, 2023
It's an inverse, plant-based, Independence Day.
Born's hanging out on the home-tree with his ursine hexapod, miffed that buff Losting is about to steal his girl, when Born's natural curiosity leads him to discover that there's a whole universe out there, which leads to a sort of first contact in reverse with the humans showing up in a flying saucer on the planet of the "aliens".
Foster occasionally writes like he's being paid for the trips you make to the dictionary, or at least assumes that you know plants and plant anatomy well. And it's the world building that is the star of the show here on an overly verdant world. There are weird predators and fantastical visions, and great sci-fi thinking about how you would perceive things on a planet like that. The plot is sharp and while the characters are a bit antiquated, Foster plays with the tropes here to produce unexpected results.
My gripe is with the message, which is covered without subtext, from the narrator, within dialog, and in internal character thought. Now, I'm not here to tell you that bulldozing forests is a good thing, actually, but I am going to say that it's a particular sort of 60-70s environmentalism. I am onboard with the sentiment that man is part of nature, and must act that way, but some of the big showdown scenes lost their steam for me when it felt like a dueling pair of straw men. Not, again, out of the author's intent to provide a bad argument but because there are years of additional discussion, sadly, and some of them hold less water.
Born's hanging out on the home-tree with his ursine hexapod, miffed that buff Losting is about to steal his girl, when Born's natural curiosity leads him to discover that there's a whole universe out there, which leads to a sort of first contact in reverse with the humans showing up in a flying saucer on the planet of the "aliens".
Foster occasionally writes like he's being paid for the trips you make to the dictionary, or at least assumes that you know plants and plant anatomy well. And it's the world building that is the star of the show here on an overly verdant world. There are weird predators and fantastical visions, and great sci-fi thinking about how you would perceive things on a planet like that. The plot is sharp and while the characters are a bit antiquated, Foster plays with the tropes here to produce unexpected results.
My gripe is with the message, which is covered without subtext, from the narrator, within dialog, and in internal character thought. Now, I'm not here to tell you that bulldozing forests is a good thing, actually, but I am going to say that it's a particular sort of 60-70s environmentalism. I am onboard with the sentiment that man is part of nature, and must act that way, but some of the big showdown scenes lost their steam for me when it felt like a dueling pair of straw men. Not, again, out of the author's intent to provide a bad argument but because there are years of additional discussion, sadly, and some of them hold less water.
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