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)

Scalzi + Wheaton = Perfection

These two are the symbol of perfect harmony in audiobooks. After this one, I have listened to every Scalzi book narrated by Wheaton, so I feel empty inside now. I still have all the other books not narrated by Wheaton, so there's that to he discovered next. Just know that if this is the first time you are listening to this combination, then you have plenty to look forward to in his other books narrated by Wheaton. It's been a fun ride, and I'm looking forward to listening to all of these again and any other books that come out in the future.

Corporations are SOBs

What did you love best about Fuzzy Nation?

The outcome

Who was your favorite character and why?

Holloway - he is on top of it.

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

Excellence in natation.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Papa Fuzzy spoke.

Any additional comments?

Lots of good listening hours.

great story and performance

quick and great story. great narration. john scalzi and will wheaton are a good combo

Great narration by Wil Wheaton

This was a pretty good book. I did not realize how much it was going to be a kind of legal drama. I was expecting more of an epic sci fi adventure which I would not say this book qualifies as. More of unique quirky legal drama in space. If that is your cup of tea you will be sure to love it.

Phenomenal from beginning to end!

great story, great performance. I couldn't put my headphones down. would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

How can you not love it?

John Scalzi writes characters and dialog that you have to love. And Wil Wheaton's narration redeems his years spent as the most hated Star Trek character!

Enjoyable from end to end

This was everything I’ve come to expect from Scalzi, with just enough tension and risk to provide real stakes, while never crossing over into a hopeless situation that can only be salvaged by chance or plot twists that don’t fit.

So Much to Enjoy in this Sci-fi Book!

This story, like the others, is well written by Scalzi with plenty of humor and suspense, as well as a new species of animals. Wheaton does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life. They are now my contemporary favorites for Sci-fi Author and Narrator. Keep up the awesome work! Can't wait to catch up and see what's ahead.

Love this!

Except the “he said, she said”. This was a wonder story. I’d love to read a sequel

Completely engaging and thrilling

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. John Scalzi does a great job of keeping you guessing with all the twists and turns as a new sentient species is discovered and the legal proceedings that follow. There were so many brilliant surprises to the story with a man, who's not necessarily a good man but not necessarily a bad man, takes on the establishment to save the Fuzzies. While I really enjoy the way Will Wheaton tells a story, I do wish he had more voice characterizations that other performers do. Except for a few instances, it's pretty much his natural voice all the way through.