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)

A fun read.

I started out lost but the story grew. By the end I was trying to compare the story line to an old Star Trek script, but I was realy pulling for the Fuzzy's. The plot realy is surprising, and Wil Wheaton surpassed my expertations. I basickally thought of Wil of as a dork in Star trek, but he has really improved.

One of the best

For me, Scalzi seems to be uneven but this is, by far, his best - at least of the ones I've read. I can't recommend it highly enough.

great presentation

So this audiobook is actually 2 books Part 1 is the reboot story "Fuzzy Nation" and Part 2 is actually the original book "Little Fuzzy". I will only review Fuzzy Nation.

Fuzzy Nation was a great story. I enjoyed it very much. I have not read any of Scalzi's books I had come across it as another narration by Wil Wheaton, which is now my favorite reader by the way. The story is suspenseful, trilling and fun. I only gave the story 4 stars because I wish there was more of the story or that it would be prolonged. It felt a tad rushed or parts left out, but please dont take this as the story is missing something because it isnt. Hopefully there is a sequel written soon.


Recommendation: If you like Wil Wheaton and/or futuristic novels check out "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline. It wont fail you, I promise.

Avatar without Avatars

Great old school story revived and updated to contemporary science and vision -- sucks you into the story before you know whats really going on. As each story layer is unpeeled, there's another layer of complexity to contemplate.

I was on the edge of my seat!

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

I never read the original story, but I'm a big fan of Scalzi. This audio book didn't dissapoint.

Awesome reboot

Loved it
Great reboot of a sci-fi (ish) classic

Fast becoming my most read author

Scalzi’s Version better than the original

Having just read both Fuzzy Nation and H Beam Piper’s Little Fuzzy, I have to say that I enjoyed Scalzi’s version better than the original. Not that the original was not a good story, but the newer version just had that something extra that makes it a better story. There was more drama and action in the newer version. Plus Wil Wheaton reads Scalzi novels perfectly. They are my new favorite combination for audiobooks!

Great story, full of Scalzi humor

I'm quickly becoming a John Scalzi fan. This is the second book of his I've read (Old Man's War is the other) and both have been excellent. He tells a compelling story that flies by (I listened to the last 2 hours of Fuzzy Nation late at night while repeating to myself every fifteen minutes or so: "just a few more minutes, then I'll call it a night"). Scalzi has an excellent sense of humor and the dialog--whether between characters or between a character and his inner voice--is witty and entertaining.

The narrator took a little getting used to; the main character has a sarcastic and abrasive personality, which the narrator's tone effectively conveys...but he uses the same tone with most of the other characters (in fairness many of them are abrasive too) and it becomes a little grating at times. However, it's a minor nit, and I highly recommend the book.

Being The Right Guy At The Right Time

A rousing story where the "hero" does not get the girl at the end of the story, all the while doing the "right" thing.

LAWYERED

It's like a John Grisham scifi with a healthy portion of light-hearted. The main character uses his powers of knowing obscure law to get out of every problem, which is not what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it.

Wil is a good narrator, be isn't great at voices, but he has a wonderful voice for reading stories. This is not a book you need to be immersed in, so Wil Weaton reading it to you is a delight. 5 out of 5.