Enemy Mine (novella)


"Enemy Mine" is a science fiction novella by American writer Barry B. Longyear. It was originally published in the September 1979 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. Later, it was collected by Longyear in the 1980 book Manifest Destiny. A longer, novel form was published, based on the film. It also appears in Longyear's anthology The Enemy Papers : this version was labeled as "The Author's cut" and was significantly revised.

Plot summary

Willis Davidge, a human fighter pilot, is stranded along with Jeriba Shigan, a Drac, on a hostile planet. Dracs are a race of aliens which are reptilian in appearance and reproduce asexually. Davidge and Jeriba Shigan, whom Davidge nicknames "Jerry", initially attempt to kill one another but quickly realize that cooperation will be the key to their survival.

Awards and nominations

In 1980 it won the 1980 Hugo Award for Best Novella and the 1979 Nebula Award for Best Novella.

Adaptations

In 1985 it was produced as a science fiction film by Twentieth Century Fox.