Fuzzy Nation

De: John Scalzi

Narrado por: 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.

Reseñas de la Crítica

• 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)

I HAD to write this.

I don't normally involve myself in writing reviews, as what I like, isn't necessarily what you like, but in this case I feel compelled to. This book was in a word AWESOME!!!!! No I have not read the 1960's version, and maybe that is good or bad don't know. This book was so well written. I listened to the entire thing today. I laughed the entire way through. He wasn't just a writer confusing himself with a comedian. The way he slid the humor in almost imperceptibly was wild. You didn't know it was funny till you caught yourself laughing. No I am not a literary genius or giant, but I am above average for intelligence, although I am so tired I did have to use spell check twice. Seriously, this is the first book by John Scalzi I have read, but will not be the last. No not an original idea, but how many publishing company give permission for rewrites on a book. Cant be too many. Maybe one day there will be a sequel. If you want a good old fashioned read. GET THIS BOOK!!!! Enough of my rambling. Happy reading all.

Great escapism

This download is two books for the price of one. Part I is John Scalzi's Fuzzy Nation; Part Two is the 1960's "inspiration" for the more recent book (Little Fuzzy by H.Beam Piper).
While both books have a similar theme - saving the (little people) Fuzzies from the machinations of big business and thoroughly nasty associated characters via a courtroom drama - the books differ in the way that the plot develops and the case that is made for "sentience".

The earlier book is actually far more sophisticated in its account of the psychology-philosophy of consciousness and the criteria for sentience (Weiskrantz's formally developed thesis that consciousness consists of higher-order thoughts is brilliantly anticipated here). John Scalzi's book is more contemporary in its feel (e.g., nobody smokes a pipe and the Fuzzies are not immediately recruited as pets). Scalzi also makes much of the lawyerly argument and the rebel-with-a-cause character of the main human protagonist.

I thought it was a shame that the critical evidence for language was identical in both books, and that it was so far anticipated in John Scalzi's version as to be utterly and completely obvious by it was revealed. This evidence comes as a greater surprise in the earlier version of the tale - it is presented almost as an afterthought in the middle of complex plot twists.

That said, there are enough differences between the two books to make it worthwhile hearing the story twice and enjoying the changes that have happened in our culture over the past 50 years. John Scalzi is to be congratulated in re-animating and presenting a story that would probably have been lost - and for his creation of some lovely and loveable characters.

fictional Marley and Me

This book is filled with warm and fuzzy characters, bad characters and the main character is gray. I am a sucker for books with dogs in them. I am a sucker for books with complicated characters. I am a sucker for books with twists. I am now a sucker for John Scalzi and Wil Wheaton. This combo has to be the best going. I didn't think anybody could top Card and Rudnicki, but this just might.

The main character is a pain in everybody's butt and you never really know his true motivations. Most people put up with him because of his dog Carl, who everybody loves, including the Fuzzies. This book is full of wit and sarcastic humor (my favorite). Wheaton does not have a Rudnicki or Lee type voice and he does not do a whole lot of different character voices. Through his talent as an actor and his understanding of the written word, he makes this book come alive.

The first half of this book is Fuzzy Nation and the second half is Little Fuzzy by Piper. This rating is for Fuzzy Nation only. I enjoyed Little Fuzzy, but no where near as much as Nation. After listening to Nation, I would have wanted to listen to LF anyway, so it was great to have it included. I look at LF as bonus material.

If you like Marley and Me or Agent to The Stars, you will like this also.

I have done over a hundred reviews and rarely do I give anything Five Stars, so that tells you how much I loved this story.

Pure fun - Scalzi and Wheaton are great together!

This is Scalzi at his storytelling best. In many ways it reminds me of a Heinlein "juvenile", that is to say there is nothing childish about this book. You can comfortably share this with a bright young person who will enjoy it with you. It's a straightforward retelling of a somewhat familiar tale - but Scalzi has fun with it and that fun is contagious. The characters are vibrant and well drawn. While there is little "world building", the universe is familiar and well defined. Wil Wheaton was a brilliant choice for the narration and it is my sincere hope that other collaborations will follow.

Thank you Audible Frontiers for bringing us this stellar performance!

He said, she said

I read this book based on a recommendation, and midway through it, I thought to myself, "Is this that author who wrote the Old Man's War space novels?" He is an entertaining story teller, but holy smokes he needs to use a thesaurus when tempted to write the word, "said". It becomes distracting to listen to the word "said" repeated over and over again. There are other words like: "Replied", "Queried", "Asked", "Quipped", "Jibed", "Wondered aloud", "Laughed", "Growled", "Whispered", that came to me as I listened to the narrator. I felt bad for him having to read the word "said" over and over. If it were me reading it, I would have taken license to change the word myself. Anyway, it was a great story, and written with a sense fun that Scalzi's fans will appreciate.