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Posted By: wafricansavage Jul 15, 2001 - 11:44 pm

in every novel i have ever read involving non human species, creatures are always humanestk. A head, two legs and two arms, the skin differnces facial differences and the like the onle seperating feature. would it be safe to say that to be successful one needs humanesk creatures which readers can link to?

Posted By: Bmat Jul 16, 2001 - 03:26 am

Read the Hospital station by James White, the aliens there are of all types. TimeMaster by Robert L. Forward is also a good book with non anthropomorphic alien. I remember reading an interesting book a number of years ago where the aliens had three arms- the book was I think "The Grasping Hand."

It may be though, that since the Earth type body is what we see mainly that we are more comfortable writing about. It occurs to me that some non- 2-headed, two limbed etc creatures on Earth are considered loathsome or frightening - spiders, snakes, centipedes.

My vote is that non-humanlike aliens are fine, especially if what makes them non-humanlike is brought out as influencing their culture. In "The Grasping Hand" the use of three arms and hands was observed along the way.

Posted By: Ajelina Jul 16, 2001 - 04:41 am

I haven't read many ideas where characters aren't humanoid-esque (I'm young, give me time), but personally I wouldn't mind seeing something different more often. For me characters that have a personality and are able to think differently between other heroes in the story is what makes me link to them, not what they look like. I think the reason aliens and so on are humanoid is not so much identification as familiarity. Who ever heard of a talking, walking plant in real life? I think that's why Wyndham's "Day of the Triffids" is so well remembered -- he wrote about the possibility of walking, talking plants in real life and it pulled off great. So I wouldn't say non-humanoid main characters aren't successful, but they are very hard to find: it's bad enough inventing a new world and new set of laws as well as a different look to its inhabitants!

Posted By: Earth_Monkey Oct 07, 2001 - 10:08 am

I would have to say, that for some inspiration for a non-humanoid character try looking through "Barlowe's Guide To Extraterestials". Sure, it has some "humanoid" types like the Overlords from "Childhood's End" but also some really good non-humanoid types....ok and it's a good read too.

Posted By: Krastakin Oct 07, 2001 - 08:06 pm

Well, I kind of have to say the same thing as Ajelina, haven't read many books with non-humanlike aliens. To tell you the truth, I'd like to read one.

Posted By: Bmat Oct 08, 2001 - 02:57 am

Krastakin, I offered some suggestions of non-humanlike aliens above, all books I enjoyed.

Posted By: Krastakin Nov 02, 2001 - 01:53 pm

Hmmm...when school gets out....hehe

Posted By: gottgen Dec 08, 2003 - 07:55 pm

For non-humanoids in a more fantasy vein, try the Tekumel novels by M.A.R. Barker. Old books, hard to find, but there is also a roleplaying game based on the world called "Empire of the Petal Throne." Look them up on the net.

Basically, his explaination is that some humans ended up on another planet thousands of years ago, along with other alien races and the two or three that already inhabited the planet. Due to a lack of mineral resources and the loss of knowledge, they are mostly confined to pre-industrial technology. Magic also works, I think, but I believe it's more psi-oriented.

Posted By: Holyoak Dec 11, 2003 - 08:21 pm

i'd think that all the living things from a planet would be similar. I doubt there are other humaonoid aliens in reality, but they are probably totally differnt.

humanoid isn't what is common, its more like "earth-oid"

would aliens find it bizzare that almost all animals have 2 eyes, 4 limbs (arms or legs or wins), 1 mouth, 2 nostrils, 2 ears, lungs, stomachs... its all evidence of a common ancestor. Name a mammal with 6 feet.

So anyways, if you are making up aliens from a different planet, think about linking the different species. I think aliens would easily see how all earth life is related from a commen ancestor. Dogs seem totally unhuman, but they have basically the same parts we do in bascially the same place. Aliens might not even notice the difference between us.

Posted By: Magus Mar 14, 2004 - 06:18 pm

Animal Farm. All of the main charactors are animals, except that Mr. Jones guy. I dunno. Just started reading it yesterday.

Posted By: gypsychic Mar 15, 2004 - 10:08 am

Watership Down, as far as animals go. Also, I think there's a fantasy series where all the characters are cats, but I haven't read it so I can't say for sure.

Posted By: Aldan Mar 15, 2004 - 01:41 pm

Yes. Those do qualify as being non-humanoid. However, they are creatures with which we are very familiar, and so can make an emotional connection to, since the char's have human personalities in their animal bodies...
It's that combination of things - a form with which we're familiar, tied to recognizable personalities - that make it easier to do a non-humanoid-filled book. Does that make it impossible, otherwise? No, I don't THINK SO, it's just that it WOULD be difficult to do, because writing's all about the EMOTIONAL TIES. If you can't help to create one between the characters and the readers, of whatever form, then the book will fail. Period.