The Magnificent Wilf (Mass Market Paperback)

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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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Baen; 1St Edition edition (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671877194
• ISBN-13: 978-0671877194
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #839,702 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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

By	Kiwi (Mississauga, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

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.

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dickson at his very best, March 20, 1998

By	KitchenSharkMama "MicahBina" (NC,, USA) - See all my reviews

I have been a fan for...well more years than I will confess to...lets just say...I own the original print of The Dragon and the George and let it go there. This is one of my favorites of his and is truely a must read. I hope he plans many more adventures for the Parents...and Rex.