The Magnificent Wilf [Hardcover]

Gordon R. Dickson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995

Representing the Earth for galactic civilization during an interstellar tour, diplomat Tom Parent and his linguist wife, Lucy, realize that their acceptance is crucial and are alarmed when Lucy is diagnosed as a Wilf--whatever that is.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Dickson's latest (after Other) is unabashed space opera, leavened with humor. The narrative rockets into action immediately, moving dizzyingly through alien contact with Earth and into a mission by diplomat Tom Parent and his linguist wife, Lucy, to save the planet by proving to the aliens that humans are civilized. Along their improbable way, the couple watch their Great Dane, Rex, begin to talk; they also travel by spaceship to an alien world and to an alien governing council that Tom inadvertently joins by sitting in the wrong chair. The headlong dash from event to event is paramount; dialogue and characterization are credible, though simple. This novel succeeds as light entertainment, but it doesn't match the complexity or vision of the Dorsai series, or for that matter much else by this Hugo- and Nebula-winning author.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Tom and Lucy Parent and their Great Dane, Rex, are sent from a future Earth to convince the other sapient races of the galaxy that Earth is civilized enough to be allowed independence. Trouble begins when Lucy is mistaken for a Wilf, a life-form that tries to motivate its companions toward ethical behavior. Nor does trouble end there, for the ambassadors encounter more weird and wonderful aliens than ever found at the Mos Eisley Cantina, and intrigues, plots, and counterplots, too, before they succeed in their mission. Dickson, one of sf's genuine masters of comedy, discloses all the humorous possibilities in his story with polished skill. He obviously had fun writing this book. Be confident that readers will have fun, too. Roland Green

Product Details

• Hardcover: 292 pages
• Publisher: Baen; 1ST edition (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671876643
• ISBN-13: 978-0671876647
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,405,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Light and Trite, July 4, 2007

By 

Kiwi (Mississauga, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Magnificent Wilf (Mass Market Paperback)

I expected a bit more than this book delivered, but not by much. It was humorous in a pretty weak way. Overall, not particularly good SF and the humor was so-so. Very 1940's slapstick space opera (or should that be operetta). It's a more or less entertaining light read if you want something that won't strain your brain in the slightest. If not, don't bother with this one.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A read for tikling those with humorous wits, March 14, 2000

By 

Jacob Watters (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magnificent Wilf (Hardcover)

Though the book deals with Science Fiction, its purpose is entertainment. Entartain it does. Dickson mixes up the wits of a married couple that serve as Earth's representatives with the rest of the galaxy. He creates a new genrea called Humor Sci-fi. It's surely a pleasant read for any sci-fi fan.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Diplomats to the rescue! At least these are amatuers., November 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Magnificent Wilf (Mass Market Paperback)

As a long time fan of Dickson's Dorsai books, as well as his Drogon Knight books. I picked up this book for a nice light yarn. As such I wasn't disapointed, but Gordon is only rehashing the works of other good authors and suffers because of it. If you want a good book that doesn't challenge, you get this; if you want a book that pushes you into new thoughts about how to make the world better, try some of Gordon's other books.