A little help please?

[RCynic]

I've joined here as a last hope in identifying a SF novel I read probably 4-5 decades ago. Perhaps that might help narrow down the possible authors. I can only remember the barest of details, but the part that has stuck in my mind all these years was the end. It did not end well for humanity. The aliens we had encountered, decided we were not fit company for the rest of the galaxy and literally quarantined us to Earth. We had apparently (since I cannot remember) taken a pounding from them because the image at the end of the book of their sleek ships filled the narrator with dread. I've been trying to remember the name of this book for years. If there are any here who can think of a novel with such an ending, I will happily look it up.

I know it's a long shot but the only thing I can remember now is the guy at the end seeing their ships and being filled with fear and that he marveled at the sleekness of the design. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I'll move this to the Book Search section, to help it get proper attention.

 

[RCynic]

I'll move this to the Book Search section, to help it get proper attention.

Thanks...hadn't noticed that yet. I should peruse more carefully.

 

[otistdog]

I can only remember the barest of details, but the part that has stuck in my mind all these years was the end. It did not end well for humanity. The aliens we had encountered, decided we were not fit company for the rest of the galaxy and literally quarantined us to Earth.

This is a pretty popular trope, so it will be difficult to pick just one story without some supporting details. The "sleek" ships showing up at the end is a start. Can you recall anything else?

 

[PaulMmn]

Except for the sleek ships filling the Earthers with dread, the title story from "With Friends Like These..." by Alan Dean Foster matches pretty well. Earth had been quarantined by the aliens because the Earthers fought too well! At the end, the quarantine is broken and the -aliens- look at the Earther's ship in awe and fear...
.
--Paul E Musselman

 

[RCynic]

This is a pretty popular trope, so it will be difficult to pick just one story without some supporting details. The "sleek" ships showing up at the end is a start. Can you recall anything else?

Sorry, I wish I could. Well, one thing is that I seem to remember the alien race's name starting with an L. I want to say Lloryn (sp?) but it has been literally several decades since I read it. It's just that the final scene has stuck so firmly in my mind all these years, I'd like to read it again to see why.

 

[RCynic]

Except for the sleek ships filling the Earthers with dread, the title story from "With Friends Like These..." by Alan Dean Foster matches pretty well. Earth had been quarantined by the aliens because the Earthers fought too well! At the end, the quarantine is broken and the -aliens- look at the Earther's ship in awe and fear...
.
--Paul E Musselman

I'll check that. Foster is a familiar author so maybe......but I thought the book ended with the quarantine being final and complete. Thanks.