One of the only real elements that does play a part (except for the fact that we are on a different planet) is the depiction of Oasis and the Oasan's themselves. The science fiction elements are underplayed a great deal, so much so that the causal non-genre reader shouldn't feel out of their comfort zone. Against this backdrop we've got the love of Peter for his Wife Bea and the strain on the relationship this adventure brings about forms the core of the novel. He quickly bonds with the natives and finds them both friendly and eager to learn. Peter, a Pastor, is called to the planet by the private space company USIC in order to teach the Oasan's more about God and Jesus and such things - following the disappearance of the last Priest to visit the planet. They have however become fond of religion, in particular the King James Bible which they refer to as The Book of Strange New Things. There is no "prime directive" here and while the creatures on the planet Oasis are clearly intelligent and communicative (to a degree) they don't visibly use technology at all. The premise is that humanity has finally spread to the Stars and along the way they've found not only a habitable planet but one that already has an indigenous life form. I must admit that it's also not a bad example and will certainly not do the reputation of science fiction any harm. It's one of those genre books that have managed to convince the mainstream that it's more mainstream literature. The Book of Strange New Things, is itself quite strange.
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