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joey_schafer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
I'm not really appreciating this book. I respect that it is an update of an older story, and some of the bones of that older story are frustrating me. That plus earlier versions of details used in The Kaiju Preservation Society that keep throwing me out of the story, the somewhat wooden characters, and I've ground through the last ten pages and decided that if I'd rather read something else, I should read something else. I'll come back to this some other time, when I can deal with USian corporate dystopia.
ehoustonmyatt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A little more emotional than Starter Villain, Kaiju Preservation Society, and Redshirts but still very, very good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Death, Xenophobia, Animal death, Child death, Animal cruelty, and Child abuse
If you’re like me and need to prepare for animal injury or death, here you go: Dog:thewallflower00's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite thing I read this month. The plot isn't very dissimilar from H. Beam Piper's version. Both revolve around issues of sentience and environmentalism. Both end in a lengthy courtroom drama. And both plots tie up with the same "deus ex" revelation. But Scalzi's version has all his fast-paced, snarky, quick wit. Although, that's not necessarily a good thing.
Piper's version takes its time to explain the issues they're facing -- why it's so hard to define sentience, how both parties plan to mount their defense. Scalzi's version has more action. It's plays like a movie, with interjected action sequences that could be lifted out without losing anything. Granted, it's a fine movie, but it lacks the depth of both the original material and Scalzi's previous works.
The main character is kind of a dick, and the stakes don't seem as important as before (constant negotiations for the gobs of money from his claim instead of how do you define a human vs. animal?). On the other hand, the main character is a dick a la Tony Stark, and it's damn funny to watch him outwit just about everyone who crosses him. He manages to be the kind of guy we want to be, but not be around. It's a beach read.
Piper's version takes its time to explain the issues they're facing -- why it's so hard to define sentience, how both parties plan to mount their defense. Scalzi's version has more action. It's plays like a movie, with interjected action sequences that could be lifted out without losing anything. Granted, it's a fine movie, but it lacks the depth of both the original material and Scalzi's previous works.
The main character is kind of a dick, and the stakes don't seem as important as before (constant negotiations for the gobs of money from his claim instead of how do you define a human vs. animal?). On the other hand, the main character is a dick a la Tony Stark, and it's damn funny to watch him outwit just about everyone who crosses him. He manages to be the kind of guy we want to be, but not be around. It's a beach read.
jonathanpalfrey's review against another edition
3.0
This is a modern rewrite of Piper's [b:Little Fuzzy|676209|Little Fuzzy|H. Beam Piper|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1301861911l/676209._SY75_.jpg|1876891] (1962), with roughly similar but updated characters and plot.
I initially thought this version was an improvement; but, having reread "Little Fuzzy", I'm no longer convinced of that.
In its favour, Scalzi's version is of course more up to date; it makes a somewhat more gripping story; and the characterization is more subtle. However, the effect is to make all the human characters less likeable (or more dislikeable) than they were originally. The Fuzzies themselves are the only likeable characters left in it, but we see less of them.
The story becomes a legal case history that may appeal mainly to lawyers. I followed it with interest on first reading; but, in retrospect, if I want to return to this story in the future, I think I'd prefer to read Piper's version.
I initially thought this version was an improvement; but, having reread "Little Fuzzy", I'm no longer convinced of that.
In its favour, Scalzi's version is of course more up to date; it makes a somewhat more gripping story; and the characterization is more subtle. However, the effect is to make all the human characters less likeable (or more dislikeable) than they were originally. The Fuzzies themselves are the only likeable characters left in it, but we see less of them.
The story becomes a legal case history that may appeal mainly to lawyers. I followed it with interest on first reading; but, in retrospect, if I want to return to this story in the future, I think I'd prefer to read Piper's version.
wunderbread384's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
rupedgo's review against another edition
4.0
Great book. Not the greatest plot, but interesting enough, the story relies on the characters to capture your attention. In my opinion it ends too soon for int's own good, it's hard when you contemplate the end and realize you're not ready to leave that world, those characters, that story. You just keep wondering what will happen next, staying as one of the few cases that I wouldn't mind if it became a trilogy.
I never read the original, but after this John Scalzi gained a fan.
P.S. The AudioBook it's amazing, Wil Wheaton nailed it.
I never read the original, but after this John Scalzi gained a fan.
P.S. The AudioBook it's amazing, Wil Wheaton nailed it.