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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The funniest SF story ever written,
By Alan Dean Foster (Prescott, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Next of Kin (Mass Market Paperback)
Eric Frank Russell remains my favorite SF writer; the only one who could make me both laugh and cry. There's no crying in this book, based on the short story that to this day received the highest "anlab" rating ever recorded for a story published in Astounding/Analog magazine. Russell's unique voice came from a blending of British reserve and humor with American slang and culture, as if John Cleese had been signed to play Sam Spade. Though Russell's science was pure '50's and often suspect, you won't care as you giggle, then chuckle, and finally roar your way through this story...which was inspired by an actual incident involving an English prisoner-of-war confined in a Turkish jail. Here's a perfect example of a superb "cross-over" SF story that could be filmed on a modest budget...I keep seeing Mel Gibson in the title role.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fast and funny read,
By
This review is from: Next of Kin (Mass Market Paperback)
Most of Eric Frank Russel's books have one thing in common, the quick witted humans outsmarting the dim-witted aliens. And this is no exception to the rule. While this may seem rather predictable and boring he always manages to avoid duplication. Each time the basic plot is worked out in a new and refreshing way.Do not read this book if you want to read serious science giction or military science fiction. That is not what this book is about. It was written to tell a story that should not be taken seriuos and that leaves a smile on your face. And this is exactly what it does, and brilliantly so. This time the aliens being outwitted are on the other side of an intergalactic war, and they have made the unfortunate mistake of capturing and imprisoning an earthling. But that was not their biggest mistake, the biggest mistake was teaching him their language. For once they learn to communicate their war is as good as lost.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Slapstick for Oddballs,
By kittykatbookworm (Richfield, MN USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Next of Kin (Paperback)
I am not a big sci-fi fan. I rarely read the stuff. Except for the occasional Star-Trek, I rarely watch it. When my dad handed me his copy of this book, I opened it with some trepidation...until I nearly split my gut laughing. Now, this kind of humor isn't funny to everyone. Neither my mom nor my husband finds it nearly as funny as we do. They mainly use words like "goofy" which it is, but as that was the intention, it is absolutely brilliant.In this story, Leeming is taken prisoner by lizard aliens, far beyond the boundaries of friendly space, and effects his escape, not in a desperate attempt to plunge over the walls, but by calling on his Eustace. What's a Eustace? I would never give it away. You'll have to read it for yourself and find out. I also recommend this book to English teachers who are having a hard time weaning their students away from conventional word choices. Even the few swear words are mostly made up!
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