Fuzzy Nation

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton, John Scalzi - introduction

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Even better than the original

Piper's _Little Fuzzy_ is a beloved SF classic that retains much of its appeal, but was already quite dated due to changes in technology and society when I read it as a teenager in the mid-1970s. Author John Scalzi rewrote the classic for the 21st century, adding his own sensibilities, then shared his work with the Piper estate, which gave Scalzi permission to publish his version. Although it feels disloyal to say so: _Fuzzy Nation_ is better than _Little Fuzzy_.

Although there are some great moments in the book, my favorite is just a trivial incident: the Fuzzies watch a certain movie that features aliens that look very much like them. (Take THAT, George Lucas!)

Wil Wheaton does a superb job on the narration; character voices are distinct, but not overly exaggerated--the narration never gets in the way of the story. I'll enjoy listening to this book again.

Scalzi and Wheaton are unstoppable!

What can I say that I haven't already said in previous reviews? Wil Wheaton is an incredible narrator. Couple this with the genius of John Scalzi and you have a dynamic duo that couldn't be better suited for their works than super hero. These two are legends, and Fuzzy Nation is on another level of awesome. Do yourself a favor and listen to this book. I went into it not knowing what I was getting into, but I was involved and engaged the entire time.

Another great book by Scalzi and Wheaton

Any additional comments?

Initially, I didn't think this premise would work as a Scalzi book. He's at his best when he tweaks a single sci-fi element in an established world then sees how it plays out. But Fuzzy Nation is a fully sci-fi world. After reading it though, this might be his most grounded work yet. With some very small changes this could be the story of finding a new species on earth.

I love Wil Wheaton. He's not for everyone. His reading style has few voices but is very expressive and everything is well acted. For each character, imagine Wil playing them. Now compile all back into a single work. There's not a lot of variation, but each character is their own. This is my second time hearing him read John Scalzi and that was the book which first introduced me to Scalzi. It's a combination I still enjoy.

Loved this book

Book wizzed by. Was fun, interesting, thoughtful and entertaining sci fi. My only wish was that we had gotten to spend more time learning what forces shaped the planets biosphere

Thank you Mr. Scalzi

You have faithfully retold my favorite novel by my favorite author. I thoroughly enjoyed this reboot. Yourself and Mr. Wheaton have preformed admirably. Now, how about the Uller uprising...

Fuzzy humor

Fuzzy Nation is a fun book with humor similar to other Scalzi books. Wil Wheaton narrates the book and does a good job.

Jack Halloway accidentally collapsed the side of a cliff on the remote planet inhabited by many reptilian creatures that find humans tasty. Or his dog Carl did when he set off the explosives. Jack did set the charge and he did train Carl to press the button that sets off the explosives. The collapse leads to his contract being cancelled. Now Jack owns the rich seam of jewels uncovered by the collapse. His handler quickly negotiates a new contract with Jack, who is going to be rich.

Jack makes another discovery when he gets back to his tree compound. A fuzzy cat-like creature that broke into his house. There’s no record of the creature and he thinks his biologist ex-girlfriend might be interested in it. The next day, his fuzzy friend is back with its family.

Jack has to deal the a large corporation that doesn’t like to share and an ex-girlfriend that thinks the fuzzy is sentient, which would result the cessation of all mining.

I am not familiar with the original book by Piper. This story is a fun read (or listen).

what is sentient ?

Any additional comments?

A great look at what do we value, and what do we use to determine senescence. Hoses and power grids are not necessary for civilization of intelligence.

Ok story

The story had a lot more promise to it in regards to the Fuzzies, but the story kept going back to the the main character.
The main thing that bothered me the most was, that for being so far in the future, I don't understand the reason that the author felt the need to blaspheme the name of Jesus Christ.
Evolution is mentioned in this book a lot but was easy to overlook for the fun nature of the story. Nevertheless, intervention by an intelligent being to protect a new species from a more advanced predator contradicts the very premise the the un-theory of Evolution. Essentially, it was empty filler to had to the total word count.

Light science fiction.

What did you love best about Fuzzy Nation?

Fuzzy Nation was enjoyable to listen to while I did my chores. It wasn't too complicated. I did not try to follow all the corporate legal rumblings, rather just enjoyed the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fuzzy Nation?

It would be a spoiler to say, but there were a few moments in the story that were touching.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes changed frequently in the story and I just enjoyed the dynamic flow. I am not a science fiction reader, but this one had a nice story to accompany the "out of this world" setting.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

A cute, fun story. Not too heavy.

awesome

This was reminiscent of Asimov, but incredibly funny at the same time. One of the best books I've ever read.