Hoka

Hoka is a silly book about an alien race, the Hoka. Their unique characteristics are that they resemble our Earth teddy bears, and they have an absolutely wild and hypnotic imagination. Upon discovery by Earthlings, the Hokas are unwittingly exposed to and greatly influenced by human culture. This often leads to humerous results. I found myself initially turned off by the unsophisticated and simple short story format. I was expecting more development. These stories just kinda dive right in. But, the book grew on me and I got a few good chuckles from it. For big science fiction fans, it probably won't satisfy your craving for a good sci-fi book. But, for anyone wanting to kill some time reading something a little off the wall, you won't be dissapointed. Probably a good book for kids. It's a quick read, too.

Orbiting the G2 star, Brackney's Star III, is the earthlike planet Toka. And, inhabiting the world of Toka are the Hoka, a small, teddy bear-looking race, who are surprisingly strong for their size. Unfortunately their longsuffering human plenipotentiary, Alexander Jones, the Hoka are the most imaginative race in the galaxy, as soon as they discover a new book of fiction, they adopt the roles and live the story...invariably with comedic results! This book is a collection of short stories about the Hoka and the unfortunate Alexander Jones. Each story is literally laugh-out funny, and the illustrations peppered throughout add a lot to the humor of this wonderful book. With most short story collection there are good and not-so good stories, well that is not the case with this book, they are all hilarious. This is a great book, one that I highly recommend to everyone! In case you are curious, there are 5 stories in this book. #1) Joy in Mudville tells the story of the Hoka baseball team (the Teddies), and their quest for the Sector Pennant. (No one can stand before the Mighty Casey, right?) #2) Undiplomatic Immunity finds Alexander Jones and a delegation of Hokas on Earth to request that Toka's status be upgraded. Unfortunately for Jones his Hokas have discovered the spy novel! #3) Full Pack (Hokas Wild) describes what happens when the Hokas discover the Jungle Books, and meet up with a group of aliens that look like a tiger, a gorilla and a snake (or should I say Shere Khan, the Banderlog, and Kaa?). #4) In the Napoleon Crime, Hokas across the planet are suddenly introduced to military history with potentially disastrous consequences; can Jones save the day yet again? #5) The Bear That Walks Like a Man is not a Hoka story per se, but a faux-leftist intellectual's look at the Hoka.

If you like teddy bears and science fiction you will love "Hoka". Hoka is a planet discovered by Earth explorers whose inhabtants look exactly like teddy bears. Anderson and Dickson use this premise to expound on human legends and tall tales with hilarious results. A must read.