Alien Island

Alien Island #1

by T.L. Sherred

Earth had not been attacked–no, indeed–and the Visitors were not about to allow the Establishment to intervene between them and the man-in-the-street. The Establishment had, in fact, been spending considerable time, energy and (taxpayers') money on an effort to shield the tender, hyper-sensitive feelings of the public from the panic it assumed would result were it ever to become generally known that the Earth had Visitors–and had been having them for several years.

It was, of course, the Establishment which was scared witless. So they were bypassed. And there wasn't a thing the united governments of the Earth could do about it. Except for their unitedly witless Secret Services...

Genres: Science Fiction

217 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 12, 1969

About the author

Thomas L. Sherred

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

There wasn't a discernible plot. Things happened, but events had no cause and effect. The characters were flat. Dana Iverson in particular had no goals or motivations. Bleh! If this was the first SF novel I picked up, it would certainly be the last.

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beware the false advertising on this book's cover: "A hopeless drunk was the only earth representative the Regans would accept!" I've had this on my shelves for years since I picked it up based on that blurb and the cool cover (I know how the saying goes...) and I finally decided to read it in the hopes that it would be kitschy dumb SF fun. Not so. Thankfully, it was a quick read so I didn't waste too much time with it. However, it's pointless, outdated and sexist to boot. It's not funny at all either, and uses the main character's boozing as a cheap ploy for comedy that never works and feels very forced. Avoid at all costs!!!

[Beth Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just reread this one after many years, preparatory to reading Alien Main, whose existence I recently discovered. This one is very much of its time (1970), and bitterly cynical about human culture, and American culture in particular. The ending is both grim and hopeful.

[Stephen Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A random, uninformed $1 purchase turns out to be one of the best science fiction novels I've read recently. Sherred is ironic and has a good sense of humor. It took me about 50 pages to realize the protagonist is a woman, however.

[Christopher Schmoeckel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I liked:
- It's a "peaceful" alien encounter with diplomacy, trade, and alliances.
- It's told from a female CIA agent's perspective which starts with her being on assignment to infiltrate and ends with her aligning with the aliens.
- Interesting alien technology and psychology.
- I think the book has a lot to say about human nature and the author brings a lot of their personal experience and their home city of Detroit is a welcome setting.

Things I didn't like:
- Sexist as heck (of the times)
- Ends when it really is just getting started and the author didn't write any more novels.
- Drags on a bit focusing on things that seem very trivial by the end of the novel

[Rodleech · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good science fiction story written from a woman's perspective.