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)

Riveting story!

John Scalzi is a brilliant writer. I admit that the story was a little difficult in the beginning, there was so much world building and set up, but the ending was the most satisfying ending possible. The dynamics between the characters and the fuzzies were brilliant and the court scenes riveting.
The performance made the story difficult to follow because of the lack of voice changes aside from a few characters. I had a tough time understanding who was talking and probably missed a fair amount of foreshadowing from not knowing who was talking when.

Overall, I highly recommend this book.

Terrific all around!

I very much enjoyed the story, the narration, and the performance. An unusual and compelling story, well told.

Enjoyable Sci-fi story

An enjoyable and different Sci-fi story due to no space ships trying to destroy each other, no strange creatures trying to eat you, and a good happy ending (but unfortunately not realistic). I recommend the book as a nice break from other ‘space’ stories, like “Skippy” & “Bishop!”

Excellent story on an interesting idea

A really well told story really well narrated in this case. A very interesting idea to explore - what makes an animal sentient and what would we do if we found sentient life while trying to exploit space.
One thing that very very mildly grates in the audiobook version is the number of times the word "said" appears - I know that some writers are advocates of only using "said" for speech, but I think that this works much better on the page where it just helps the reader to keep track of who's speaking than when it's audible.

Great listen!

This is a really great book. It’s charming, fast-paced, witty, and entertaining. Will Wheaton’s performance is excellent, as always.

Carl and the Fuzzys

Boom! Carl gives this book 2 very enthusiastic paws up and some fireworks! I laughed, cried, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

stolen

i really enjoyed this book but when i went to share with a friend the original story from h beam piper was missing somehow audible reached into my computer and stole the original story from me i dont know how they did this but i paid for it and its gone they wont give a good explanation for this so if you are buying this it is now only the new version not both complete books other than the fact that my book was stolen from me this was an excellent story wil wheaton is as good as ever and jon scalzi is his usual brilliant self

Made me smile!

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

The is one of the best - up in the top 10%

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

When Papa was testifying, it brought tears to my eyes

What about Wil Wheaton and John Scalzi (Introduction) ’s performance did you like?

The back story about the inception of the book was interesting. Wil brought the right amount of indignation and disrepect for authority...

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

see above

One of the BEST

adaptaions I have ever read...This book stands alone...the author puts a different slant on Little Fuzzy and succeeds admirably. Well DONE John Scalzi !!!!!. It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a book this much. Will Wheaton's rendering is exceptional. This is a MUST LISTEN book-

Vickie

Carl was right

If you want to wag your tail while listening to a fairly good book, Fuzzy Nation will fit the bill. Purist don't like that this rewrite of a classic, but I enjoyed the update. Much more action and less philosphical discussions. Includes one of my favorite themes, little people standing up to the big, evil corportation.