The Tomorrow Testament

Enemy Mine #2

by Barry B. Longyear

The wars across the planets had lasted long enough. There seemed to be no end to the shedding of blood human blood, alien blood. Suspicion and hatred ran too deep between the superpowers, the United States of Earth and the Dracon Chamber. Then Major Joanne Nicole was captured and rose from prisoner-of-war to confidante of Drac chief Tora Soam. Could she penetrate the strange alien mind, learn its esoteric wisdom, and realize the impossible dream of peace?

Genres: Science Fiction, Aliens, Fiction

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Barry Brookes Longyear was an American science fiction author who resided in New Sharon, Maine.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tomorrow Testament is an often overlooked and under-appreciated sequel to Manifest Destiny, a part of which the film Enemy Mine was based. It's the story of Joanne Nicole, one of his best characters, who has been captured in the long-running war. She becomes a confidante of one of the Drac leaders, and begins to understand their culture and build hope for peace. It's a very allegorical story, of course, but is quite well executed. Good, thoughtful stuff.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lesson of this story has stayed bright in my mind: true mastery of any conflict is when you understand it so deeply that you can sidestep the game and transform it into an entirely new situation.
Reread November 8, 2009. Reread May 28, 2012.

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Stars! Really enjoyed this. It was very deep and makes you think. Having the MC be blind made it so interesting too. A lot of political intrigue and twists and cunning plots. But also emotional and meaningful. Loving this series.
Read: 6/9/25-6/12/25

Quotes:
- “There are all kinds of cowards, Sergeant. It's only the honest ones that have to carry the name.” (p223)
- “Haven't you ever looked in a mirror? Of course you're beautiful! Perhaps not very smart, but beautiful… Asking me if I think you are beautiful is a stupid question.” (p239)
- “The more we learn, the closer we get; and the closer we get, the more there is to learn...” (p252)
- “A beating in defense of my understanding of truth is one thing. I am not up to my parent beating me because I was beaten. That seems somehow to be taking the gesture past integrity into foolishness.” (p268)
- “He asked what the difference is between ignorance and stupidity. And he answered his own question by telling me that ignorance is self-inflicted stupidity.” (p302)
- “The composition would be untrue if all of the notes were there. This song is crippled, as it must be.” (p303)
- “‘It is strange. In the dark like this, you are not... not a human. With the darkness of your eyes, do you see the same?’ - ‘Yes. I see us as...beings?’” (p303)
- “I am able to tell you my purpose; I am not willing. It is none of your concern.” (p306)
- “Without her eyes, she was seeing more than she ever had seen before…“ (p334)
- “Do not close paths simply because another wants them explored.” (p344)
- “All rules aim toward goals, and all goals are rules aimed toward further goals… To understand the circle, break it and travel in both directions until you meet yourself. To understand the chain, understand the closest link, then travel in both directions until you run out of links.” (p346)
- “Be prepared to accept all. But test the truth by forcing it to lie; test the lie by forcing it to be true.” (p352)
- “Truth of nature and import of meaning are not matters determinable by a consensus. If only one being understands the meaning, the meaning is understood. If only one being sees the truth, the truth is seen.” (p375)

[Kakha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a continuation of the first, legendary book. This book is different, also very interesting. The book tells about the world of the race of Dracs – reptilian humanoids, beautifully created by the author. Great sequel. You will plunge into the wonderful world. In addition, this book shows the confrontation between earthling – Major Joanne Nicole – and Dracs. Joan learns about Dracs civilization by their holy book - the Talman. Interesting book.

[Chip Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago, pleased to find a sequel to the novella (and movie) "Enemy Mine." I loved the manner in which the book immersed the human protagonist so fully into the world of the Dracs that she had no choice but to understand them, and herself. The book also offers an intriguing exploration of philosophical growth.

[James]

Major Joanne Nicole struggles to understand the workings of the minds of an alien race in order to stop a brutal war between the aliens and humans

[David Agranoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Underrated sequel to the classic Enemy mine.

[SciFiOne · Rating 3 out of 5]

1989 grade C+

Series book EM2