The Color of Distance

Amy Thomson's 1995 novel *The Color of Distance*, published by Ace Books, earned a nomination for the Philip K. Dick Award in the Best Paperback Original Novel category. Its sequel is *Through Alien Eyes*.

The story is a first-contact narrative that shifts between two perspectives. Dr. Juna Saari, a xenobiologist on a human Survey crew, becomes stranded on a planet inhabited by the Tendu—intelligent amphibians capable of remarkable physiological control. Anito, a Tendu, aids Juna's survival by overseeing extensive biological modifications that adapt her to the planet's toxic atmosphere. The Tendu live in a tropical treetop environment and communicate through changes in skin color and pattern. Over three years, Juna learns their "skin speech," masters their culture, understands the complex alien ecology, adopts a young Tendu named Moki, and begins to identify as one of them.

While Juna adapts, the Tendu confront the implications of future human contact. Anito, initially resentful of Juna, eventually becomes her *atwa*—a Tendu term for a domain of specialized knowledge. Alongside other Tendu elders (or *enkar*), including Ukatonen, Anito and Juna travel to the Survey mission's landing site to repair environmental damage caused by humans.

When a returning Survey team finally rescues Juna, re-entering human society proves as challenging as adapting to Tendu life. She undergoes quarantine while humans assess whether she has "gone native." During subsequent trade negotiations, the Tendu's internal physiological control allows them to heal a human team member, Dr. Wu, from a heart attack—clearing his arteries and restoring him to near-youth. This act begins to dissolve suspicion between the species. Ultimately, Moki and Ukatonen choose to return with Juna and the Survey team to Earth, setting the stage for the sequel. The novel explores the planet's biology, the aliens' life cycle, and environmentalist themes.