Fuzzy Nation

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton, John Scalzi - introduction

In John Scalzi's re-imagining of H. Beam Piper's 1962 sci-fi classic Little Fuzzy, written with the full cooperation of the Piper Estate, Jack Holloway works alone for reasons he doesn't care to talk about. On the distant planet Zarathustra, Jack is content as an independent contractor for ZaraCorp, prospecting and surveying at his own pace. As for his past, that's not up for discussion.

Then, in the wake of an accidental cliff collapse, Jack discovers a seam of unimaginably valuable jewels, to which he manages to lay legal claim just as ZaraCorp is cancelling their contract with him for his part in causing the collapse. Briefly in the catbird seat, legally speaking, Jack pressures ZaraCorp into recognizing his claim, and cuts them in as partners to help extract the wealth.

But there's another wrinkle to ZaraCorp's relationship with the planet Zarathustra. Their entire legal right to exploit the verdant Earth-like planet, the basis of the wealth they derive from extracting its resources, is based on being able to certify to the authorities on Earth that Zarathustra is home to no sentient species. Then a small furry biped - trusting, appealing, and ridiculously cute - shows up at Jack's outback home. Followed by its family. As it dawns on Jack that despite their stature, these are people, he begins to suspect that ZaraCorp's claim to a planet's worth of wealth is very flimsy indeed and that ZaraCorp may stop at nothing to eliminate the fuzzys before their existence becomes more widely known.

©2011 John Scalzi (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Science Fiction, 2012

“[Scalzi’s] style and skill make it a highly entertaining read. It succeeds both as a new novel from a talented writer and as a tribute and gateway to Piper’s work.” ( Wired)

"It’s a wonderful book.... [T]he way that Scalzi puts that wonderful novel of Piper’s into a fresher context is cynically lovely.... Year’s best? Yeah, one of them." ( The San Diego Union-Tribune)

“A perfectly executed plot clicks its way to a stunning courtroom showdown in a cathartic finish that will thrill Fuzzy fans old and new.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Very different than the original but good.

This is a reboot of H. Beam Piper's book "Little Fuzzy". You do not need to read / listen to the original (included as the 2nd part of this audiobook) to enjoy Scalzi's new book. In fact, comparing it to the original the whole time you are listening / reading may put you in a different frame of mind, which could change your enjoyment.

For those of you who have read the original, here are the main differences.
The main character in the original is an octogenarian, long time prospector, a gruff old man who is immediately protective of the fuzzies. Scalzi's Jack Holloway is a disbarred lawyer turned prospector who's first inclination is to protect his claim and is more sarcastic than gruff.
The fuzzies are different. I don't want to give too many spoilers but you will immediately notice that they don't do any hunting in Scalzi's book.
The federation base on the moon is gone leaving a single judge the planet's only federation representative. The planet including the city are completely under corporate control and the villains are diabolical rather than just callous and greedy. The wildlife is more dangerous too.

It's a good book, a twisty tale up to Scalzi's usual high standards. If you like his other books, you'll like this one too. The theme and feel of this new book is completely different than Piper's original. It's a bit like a liberally adjusted movie adaptation. I did feel a bit of “that's nothing like the original!” but I enjoyed it.

The legalese is convincing.

This was an engaging remake of the old story.

There were some changes to make Jack Holloway work better with Scalzi's writing style. Scalzi still uses 'he/she/they said' to express every change in dialogue, which can get annoying, if you zero in on it. I didn't really notice it that often, and it wasn't as obvious as in his Old Man's War series.

Throughout the book Scalzi is careful to use Holloway's actions and words to describe his character. You aren't force fed his every thought, which is both a huge relief, but since Holloway is so manipulatively devious, it leaves enough mystery to unfolding events to create doubts on how the space opera plays out.

The little Davids trying to stick it to the industrial corporate Goliath is a delight, and one that will be easy for a lot of today's readers to empathize with.

None betteer

I loved this book almost from the first "page". It kept me inthralled through the whole "read'. There was a surprise at the end that made the book even better.

Believable Tech, Distant World, and Moral Dilemmas

John Scalzi's version is a wonderfully simple book with plenty of excitement and the classic moral dilemma of doing the right thing for others versus the right thing for one's bank account. In the midst of this far off court room drama find a disgruntled girlfriend, a likable cat like humanoid, and a Han Solo type who stands to gain a huge fortune by selling out.

This story is fun, and it made me feel good. I think the technology is believable: it does not sound so far fetched, and perhaps one day our ancestors will struggle with some of the questions this book poses. There is a little bit for everyone here.

Crank it up to 3x's as it is easy listening.

Entertaining read!

Where does Fuzzy Nation rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have not listened to that many, but it definitely ranks among my favorite! :)

What other book might you compare Fuzzy Nation to and why?

I can't think of any book... but movies: This reminds me a bit of Avatar and similar "Fern Gully" type of stories.

Which character – as performed by Wil Wheaton and John Scalzi (Introduction) – was your favorite?

The main character and pappa fuzzy. :)

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This made me laugh out loud a lot. loved it!

Any additional comments?

Wil Wheaton did an excellent job!!!

As good or better than the Original......

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I found the changes made in the story were well thought out, and that the plot was brought up to date with care and really good changes to the characters.

Loved it!

If you could sum up Fuzzy Nation in three words, what would they be?

Compelling, funny, excellent

Who was your favorite character and why?

Carl - the Dog

What does Wil Wheaton and John Scalzi (Introduction) bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Will Wheaton was excellent as always

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

Took me two days - I couldn't stop listening.

Scalzi's Best Story!

I loved Old Man's War a lot. I have enjoyed many Scalzi novels since, and really dug Android's Dream. But Fuzzy Nation takes the medal of first prize. The blend of technology, animals and sentience, humor, and court room drama makes for a fabulous ride. This story is awesome, and I was entertained the whole way through. Nice work!

Highly recommended!

Would you listen to Fuzzy Nation again? Why?

Yes, I think that re-reading it would bring a different perspective to it.

What did you like best about this story?

I like a book that makes me laugh. And cute furry things don't hurt. Jack was not a particularly good guy, but he wasn't so bad that you didn't like him or couldn't relate.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the courtroom scenes.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not at first, but I did get hooked into it towards the end.

Any additional comments?

I have not listened to the original book, my comments are all about John Scalzi's version. It threw me off on the timing because I forgot that the original book was also included. I kept wondering what was going to go horribly wrong since I was only halfway through it. :-)

Far better than the original

Any additional comments?

If you have read or heard the original and don't know if this is worth the listen / read I would highly recommend it. I have heard both and aside from the horrible reading of the original the story was flat with no real depth. This telling of the story on the other hand has some extra action (it is Scalzi after all) and some much needed depth to the story with additional explanations and well I don't want to ruin it. Check it out its worth it.