No Kindness Too Soon by Sylvain Neuvel

No Kindness Too Soon by Sylvain Neuvel

This is a bizarre and thought-provoking tale about first contact with an alien species and how we might communicate with them. It’s also a story about whether natural disasters coming like the plagues of Egypt are caused by the aliens. The first half, dealing with theories about what aliens would look like and what would be needed for them and us to understand each other, was quite fascinating, almost a science lesson on ETs. The second half of the story is much more bizarre as the scientists focus in on communications fifteen years earlier between a suicidal Australian and the alien species. They begin to postulate that the disasters are a response from the aliens who are learning about the planet from one miserably unhappy person. It’s a fascinating idea with an ending that will give you a smile.