Scan barcode
A review by bookstacker
Catseye by Andre Norton
4.0
I've mostly read Andre Norton's Witch World books but the few science fiction books I've read by her so far have been enjoyable as well. This story, which was first published in the 1960s, has social and environmental commentary woven throughout. Sadly, the ongoing concept that someone who is "homeless" or poor is somehow inferior to those who are well off financially is still in the mainstream consciousness as well as the mindset that humans should be rulers above all other creatures no matter how intelligent they are found to be. I also admit to especially liking any story where a human can commune in some fashion with animals and treats them as equals rather than subordinates like the main character of this story. It is an exploration of how much you're willing to sacrifice your own ethics and honor in order to succeed and whether man is capable of ever seeing themselves as *part* of a whole environment rather than its master.
Troy Horan was born on the planet of Norden where he and his family were herd riders living sustainably off the land. Unfortunately war among the plants and different organizations cause his people to be removed and their home being converted to a war station. As a result he is essentially "homeless" and demoted to a "Dippleman" whom nobody else has any respect since in order to have status you must at least have a permanent job. He refuses to buy his way in to the illegal Thieves Guild and continues to report to the day job area hoping for permanent work eventually. Due to his Norden background and experience with animals he is hired for a week by an importer of rare animals by the name of Kyger. However, Troy finds he is able to connect to the minds of the Terran animals and learns that they are in danger and being forced to do things against their will.
He also meets the Clans men who live in the only "Wilds" of this planet. A people that strive to live off the lands and conserve it even if it means they have to label their planet as a recreational one to preserve what is left. While he feels a little more trusting towards the ranger he met, Rerne, as a Dippleman he doesn't know if he can trust anyone. His employer is using the animals and he's not sure what the Clans want either. He just wants to be free from the strict rules much like the animals he is able to contact mentally. However, when his employer turns up dead the animals are next on the extermination list. Troy acts in the hopes that doing so he frees them all but at some point he'll have to make a decision. Which is more important the bond he's made with the animals or becoming a recognized part of human society?
Troy Horan was born on the planet of Norden where he and his family were herd riders living sustainably off the land. Unfortunately war among the plants and different organizations cause his people to be removed and their home being converted to a war station. As a result he is essentially "homeless" and demoted to a "Dippleman" whom nobody else has any respect since in order to have status you must at least have a permanent job. He refuses to buy his way in to the illegal Thieves Guild and continues to report to the day job area hoping for permanent work eventually. Due to his Norden background and experience with animals he is hired for a week by an importer of rare animals by the name of Kyger. However, Troy finds he is able to connect to the minds of the Terran animals and learns that they are in danger and being forced to do things against their will.
He also meets the Clans men who live in the only "Wilds" of this planet. A people that strive to live off the lands and conserve it even if it means they have to label their planet as a recreational one to preserve what is left. While he feels a little more trusting towards the ranger he met, Rerne, as a Dippleman he doesn't know if he can trust anyone. His employer is using the animals and he's not sure what the Clans want either. He just wants to be free from the strict rules much like the animals he is able to contact mentally. However, when his employer turns up dead the animals are next on the extermination list. Troy acts in the hopes that doing so he frees them all but at some point he'll have to make a decision. Which is more important the bond he's made with the animals or becoming a recognized part of human society?