Space Opera Fans discussion
Reader Discussions
>
Alien POV
date
newest »
![Down arrow](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/down_arrow-1e1fa5642066c151f5e0136233fce98a.gif)
![Trike | 706 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525980079p1/2135825.jpg)
A more recent one is The Three-Body Problem, but I wouldn’t call it Space Opera. It’s certainly SO-adjacent, but the majority of it takes place on Earth.
Besides Footfall, Niven has quite a few, such as The World of Ptavvs and Protector.
David Brin’s Uplift books probably fill the bill, but it’s been so long since I’ve read them that I don’t recall which ones I’d slot into Space Opera. Some are more Planetary Romance, such as the one where a ship is marooned on a water world.
Some of my favorite alien POV books aren’t Space Opera, such as A Fire Upon the Deep and Dragon's Egg. But they’re close, so I’d recommend them to those who enjoy SO.
Iain M. Banks and Alan Dean Foster have some alien POV books, too. Banks is a better bet for Space Opera action. I want to say Consider Phlebas is the one that fits, but I might be thinking of Use of Weapons.
![Laz the Sailor (laz7) | 209 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1326721642p1/7436388.jpg)
C.J. Cherryh has several books written from the point of view of aliens. In additiion to the Chanur series, there's the Hanan Rebellion series and the Faded Sun trilogy. Also, I haven't read it, but I would be surprised if the Foreigner series doesn't include at least occasional alien POV. I think there are also some stand alones that qualify. It was one of the things that I always found intriguing about Cherryh's work -- her ability to write from the viewpoint of the aliens.
![Trike | 706 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525980079p1/2135825.jpg)
![Steph Bennion (stephbennion) | 303 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442616243p1/7362119.jpg)
![C. John Kerry (cjkerry) | 611 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1574102776p1/5884053.jpg)
![Laz the Sailor (laz7) | 209 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1326721642p1/7436388.jpg)
The first few books are human-perspective only, then one alien character is introduced with a unique perspective.
The middle books might be considered Space Opera as there are spaceships, other stars, other aliens, and a small battle. However, Trike is correct that it is mostly set on one planet and the intrigue is largely political.
More books using Alien POV:
Nor Crystal Tears by Alan Dean Foster
Each book in the series Family Law by Mackey Chandler uses alien POV at least some of the time
Nor Crystal Tears by Alan Dean Foster
Each book in the series Family Law by Mackey Chandler uses alien POV at least some of the time
![C. John Kerry (cjkerry) | 611 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1574102776p1/5884053.jpg)
C. John wrote: "Forget who it was but someone wrote three novels which featured the three main alien lensmen. I have one of the but haven’t read it yet so I can’t say for certain it is told from their point of vie..."
I’d forgotten about those! Wikipedia says author is David Kyle. The Dragon Lensman by David A. Kyle, Lensman from Rigel, and Z-Lensman.
I’d forgotten about those! Wikipedia says author is David Kyle. The Dragon Lensman by David A. Kyle, Lensman from Rigel, and Z-Lensman.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Dragon Lensman (other topics)Lensman from Rigel (other topics)
Z-Lensman (other topics)
Nor Crystal Tears (other topics)
Family Law (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
David A. Kyle (other topics)Alan Dean Foster (other topics)
Mackey Chandler (other topics)
C.J. Cherryh (other topics)
C.J. Cherryh (other topics)
More...
Right now I’m thinking about the rarer stories that at least sometimes use the point of view of a specific alien or multiple specific aliens.
One such is
It’s been a long time since I’ve reread
Can you think of any more recent books?