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Halfway Human

Carolyn Ives Gilman

First published February 1998
Type Novel
Series The Twenty Planets

Tedla is young, beautiful, and blond - but it is neither he nor she. And Tedla has a remarkable story to tell of witchcraft, lust, and rebellion on a far-off closed world which has taken its own evolutionary path. There, an asexual class of "blands" exists to serve their fellow humans, protected and isolated from contact with the rest of the universe. There is no record of any bland ever leaving its sheltered homeworld. Until now. For Tedla has been found in an abandoned alley light-years away from the planet of its birth. <p>Val is an expert in alien cultures who has never seen a bland before. Helping it recuperate will be satisfying to her, both professionally and personally. But Val has no idea what shocking truths are hidden inside this sexless, tormented creature. As Val peels away the emotional barriers Tedla has erected, she hears the tale of an innocent caught up in unspeakable crimes and unthinkable actions. There are reasons Tedla's world keeps its face hidden - and Val is about to discover them. (from the back cover of the Avon/Eos first edition)

YearAwardCategoryStatus
1998 James Tiptree, Jr. Award / Otherwise Award Gender-bending SF Nominee/Finalist
1999 Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Best Novel Nominee/Finalist
1999 Locus Poll Award Best First Novel Runner-up

Date Publication Publisher Type Page
February 1998 Cover Halfway Human Avon Eos Novel
February 2010 Cover Halfway Human Phoenix Pick Novel
March 2010 Cover Halfway Human Phoenix Pick Novel