Customer Reviews

Spacial Delivery

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In my opinion Gordon R. Dickson (1923-2001) is one of the most consistently entertaining American science fiction authors of the 20th Century.

His early novel, Spacial Delivery, first published in 1961, is an excellent example of Mr. Dickson's ability to utilize shopworn SF themes to craft an amusing and perceptive story.

The planet Dildia is an object of diplomatic desire for both the humans and their space faring adversaries the Hamnoids. Unfortunately Dildia is inhabited by fully intelligent beings, the bear like Dilbians.

Imaging an intelligent bear that walks upright weight about 1500 pounds and stands 9 to 10 feet tall. The Dilbians are a low technology society but have elaborate social codes involving clans and respect for physical strength and individual combat.

Both the humans and the Hamnoids must plot to curry favor with the natives at the expense of the other party. Although the diplomatic mystery dancing is not a major plot element it does add a colorful layer of interest and background to the story.

John Tardy is "drafted" to serve on Dildia. Like the draft that use to be in effect in the US until President Nixon terminated it, once drafted you have to go where they send you and do what you are told. Tardy is not pleased having his career plans interrupted but he reports for duty on Dildia as ordered.

Before I continue I have to inform the reader that the Dilbians names and the names they apply to humans and Hammoids are descriptive, comical and add considerably to the charm and entertainment of this book. The human ambassador, Joshua Guy, "Little Bite" informs Tardy "Half-Pint" that he must rescue a female human, 'Greasy Face" who has been kidnapped by the Dilbian the "Streamside Terror" due to a misunderstanding with his female object of desire "Boy Is She Built'. Tandy, "Half-Pint" is mailed to a show down with the "Streamside Terror". Yes, mailed in a harness attached to the back of one "Hill Bluffer" the local Dilbian mailman. It does sound a little silly but in the context of the story and the world Dickson creates it results in a very entertaining story.