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)

best one...so far

every book I listen to by John Scalzi I think, "This is the best one!" then I hear a new one and think it all over again. I love his books and I love Wil Wheaton.

Fantastic

Wil Wheaton knocks it out of the park with this reading of John Scalzi's novel. I laughed and I'm not too proud to admit that I cried too. There are very real emotional moments the duo manage to pull out of you.

I highly recommend this book.

Great story, narration didn’t vary voices for the characters

The story is good, it ends with a series of court scenes that had me laughing out loud. It is cleverly written. The narrator did vary pace and tone and definitely added to the drama. Unfortunately the narrator didn’t vary the voices for the characters and this meant the dialogue was sometimes difficulty flow and had too much ‘he said’ ‘she said’. The voice worked well for the main character but the secondary characters all sounded the same. Except for papa fuzzy, he sounded different. 😃

Almost fantastic

This story ALMOST got 5 stars. One little thing threw me off. I loved this story so much. I hadn't heard the previous version, so I had no idea what was going to happen. And, as usual, Will Wheaton was an awesome narrator.

The only complaint I had about the entire thing was the dialog. The dialogs themselves were great, but after each person talked, the author felt the need to say "So-n-so said" Constantly. No matter how long they talked, they were identified by "*their name* said"
It was very off-putting and distracting.

That aside, fantastic story. I really did love it.

Get off my planet.

I never read the original story but I think I will now. This was a really good book. I enjoyed it thoroughly specifically, Carl the dog and Pappa fuzzy. I was a real fun book despite the sad parts.

Scalzi is a master

I love this book. John scalzi was the right man for this job. props to Wil Wheaton for a job well done.

Another great performance

I liked the story line i could not guess what the end game was. I liked the outcome ad it brought closure to the story and left an opening for a sequel. well read, well written

Great, Rollicking Fun

Would you listen to Fuzzy Nation again? Why?

Yes, because it is a fabulous roller coaster ride. Exciting and funny, this book begins with an apparently morally bankrupt character trying to weasel out of responsibility for an environmental disaster he has caused. By the books end you are cheering for him. Making that journey had me sitting up until three in the morning, listening in the dark.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack Holloway, the main character is a sleaze bag. A wisecracking disbarred lawyer, who teaches his dog to detonate explosives. Will he do the right thing in the end? Read it and find out.

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

Wheaton is a fine, interesting reader. I was particularly struck by his voicing of the alien creature, Papa. It was much, much better than the narrator's voice inside my head, and added so much to the story.

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

Many times I laughed out loud. Once I cried.

Any additional comments?

This book is based on a sixties novel, "Little Fuzzy". I was surprised when I went looking how to spell a character name to learn fans of the original novel seem to really hate this book. Not having read it, I have no way to compare. Perhaps Mr. Scalzi sacrifices some of the depth of the original for an exciting read? Maybe listening to a talented reader bring it to life makes it more than it would be in print? I only know I really, really enjoyed listening to it, as I did the other two Scalzi novels I have listened to., and I have just added another to my library.

Scalzi delivers, again

I like the dialogue. The characters are well fleshed out and realistic. The protagonist is not a cardboard hero, but someone you can identify with. The world is well imagined. There are. couple twists, the last one being the best. Will Wheaton does his usual excellent job as narrator. Worth a listen. Kudos to Audible for bringing this book to listeners.

Thus one grabbed me from the start and never let go

This is an interesting funny read with a great sense of humor and interesting plot twists. I’m a sci-fi fan and I found this to be one of the better sci-fi books I’ve read in a while.

I easily give this 5 star as a fun, easy listen that made me pay attention and just enjoy