The Fuzzy Papers

This is a dual book combining Little Fuzzy and Fuzzy Sapiens, and though I have read it several times, my memory, specifically is a little fuzzy. Charming, heart-warming are keywords that I can attribute to these tales. It deals with our human expansion to the stars and our encountering those little green martians we have always expected. Accept they are not what we have thought. That have not always been there in their UFO's spying on us, or are part of a xenocidal race that wants our extinction. If anything man wants to see the end of the alien. Perhaps bleeding heart liberals would be the thought of the defender of the Fuzzy, but Piper writes of Fuzzy in such a way as to make then an endearing race. Part little child, part puppy dog, if my memory is correct. The conflict is that if there are alien intelligences out there, who owns that world. We have see Cherryh look at this from a distance in Downbelow Station, and the same with Weber in On Basilisk Station, but those books were not focused on the thought of someone speaking up for that Alien's rights and ensuring that they are protected. That is the plot line here. We have a company world that wants to exploit the world, we have a native intelligence that needs to be defended working within the system, but unable to articulate for themselves their defense. Hence a really great set of books that led to two additional authors writing books about them, and then years after Piper's death, a third tome being unearthed and published.

When I was in the 6th grade my dad made me read this book and do a 5 page book report. I fought him for almost 2 months. When I finally did start to read it, I couldn't put it down. Now almost 10 years later I can't talk my mom out of his copy so I am getting my own.

Some have commented on the dated nature of H. Beam Piper's book, and I must agree, but that is part of the charm of older Sci-Fi. It seems that smoking and hard drinking are cool in Mystery, but unsavory for Sci-fi. The Fuzzy Papers is an involving, and riviting novel. I highly recomend it to fans of a good story. It has a light natured atmosphere, and is hard to put down. Please don't be put off by the name "Fuzzys" perhaps giving the image of Ewoks or such. They are a very well rounded, fleshed out, and alien character.

This book was created by Ace Books in 1980, and is a combination of two of the redoubtable H. Beam Piper's most popular science fiction books: Little Fuzzy (1962) and Fuzzy Sapiens (1964). Little Fuzzy tells the story of a small, furry humanoid's adventures among the humans sharing his world, and how he came to trouble the counsels of the wise and powerful. Fuzzy Sapiens picks up where Little Fuzzy left off, with man's increase in knowledge about the Fuzzy race, and all the surprises it has in store for humanity.These wonderful stories, coupled with Victoria Poyser's splendid illustrations make for a great immersion into the world of Zarathustra and the Fuzzies. These are two great stories, both of which should be considered classics in the field of science fiction. So, if you are interested in the Fuzzies, and can get this book, then I highly recommend that you do so.

The Fuzzy Papers, though dated in certain customs of the author's time, is a wonderful book. Dealing with the question, "What makes a species sapient?", is definately something we need to consider, and the development of a rapport between the characters and the audience is wonderful. Of course, it's about the classic struggle between the rights of the "haves" and those of the "have nots", but it's also very funny in parts (like the "scientific" names that the original explores gave to the animals). It may be quaint, but The Fuzzy Papers is totally enjoyable, and the way that the author handles the question of sapience makes this a good book for your list of "must reads".