Sometimes a book carries such startling content and weighty matter that it overcomes poor presentation; conversely, a telling of freshness and beauty can elevate simple into sublime. "The Luck Of Brin's Five" is the latter. Wilder's talent lay in storytelling, and this is told very well indeed, in its phrasing, pacing, and in perspective. Narrative point-of-view profoundly influences the way a tale comes across and can make or break SFF; what we have here is a First Contact story not only presented from an alien's perspective, but through the narration of an alien child. How brilliant is that?

Probably best considered YA nowadays, 'TLoBF' is fairly lightweight in plot and stakes; there's no great sturm und drang, and the violence is minor (and largely fisticuffs). While the Moruians really aren't terribly alien in physiology or communication, the cultural world-building is excellent: Ursula Le Guin-level, really. And the p-o-v allows for the reader to be informed of the cultural mores as the child narrator is getting reinforced; I actually laughed out loud at an early scene in which Dorn (the kid) is dubious about Diver (the human) not because he's an alien, but because he's a _grown-up_ ! Great stuff.

Seems there are sequels from this New Zealand-born Aussie author. Tracking down these lost gems sounds like a good idea to me. ( )

I reviewed this novel on SF Mistressworks: https://sfmistressworks.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/the-luck-of-brins-five-cherry-w... ( )

I first read this book in my early teens, and it made quite an impression on me. I was a bit nervous about rereading it but I needn't have worried.

I had forgotten the entire plot and it is like reading it for the first time - what I do remember is the social system - families are formed by five people - three young adults (a female and two males or a male and two females), an older person, and someone who is called the Luck - someone who is physically or mentally disabled or otherwise different. So the title is about the person who is the Luck of the family or Five formed by Brin. And what's more, the people on Torin are marsupials, not mammals.

When their first Luck dies, they find their new Luck in a human who has come to explore the planet Torin and has got separated from his companions. He must learn their customs so as not to give himself or the Five away. This means plenty of excitement and though a short novel, it is full of incident.

One I think I will keep for rereading... and if I could only track down other books by Wilder! ( )