"The first landing on Shiraz was going to be dull, predictable routine, nothing more."The Quozl are a gentle species of space explorers that have come to colonize the planet they have named Shiraz. The only problem is that Shiraz is already inhabited, by a race of violent and confusing beings that are utterly unlike the civilized Quozl. Unable to make a return trip to their home planet of Quozlene (each mission of exploration and settlement is strictly one way), the Quozl decide to colonize the planet anyway, but in hiding. The inevitable contact with the violent species that rules over Shiraz must wait for another, more appropriate day.But things do not go as planned, for some Quozl do not wish to spend their lives in hiding. Shiraz is their planet, too.Alan Dean Foster's Quozl is an entertaining first contact story, but it isn't nearly as humorous or whimsical as the book's cover art appears to hint at (although appearances are, more often than not, quite deceiving), or the slapstick Flip-A-Mation (which features a single Quozl exiting a tiny spaceship, only to trip over a skateboard in grand Inspector Clouseau fashion) attempts to state outright. While the book does have its moments of humor, especially in its final act, more often than not Foster chooses to focus on the drama. That made it a far more interesting book than I think an outright comedy would have, although the book was clearly marketed as one.As I read Quozl I quickly found myself suspecting that I had read this book before, and I have. Only it was called Phylogenesis, another first contact story, this one between human and thranx, also written by the prolific Foster. Although the aliens and humans in both stories are quite different, the accidental and isolated nature of the first contact (both take place in locations that are geographically remote) are virtually identical. A curious alien that refuses to follow the rule of no contact slips out to explore Earth, only to run into an Earthling. As the two begin to communicate and share information, a friendship is formed that lays the foundation for the now unavoidable meeting of the two societies. While human and Quozl attempt to keep their meeting a secret, both are eventually discovered.Knowing that what is done cannot be undone, and since killing of a member of an intelligent species is almost anathema to a Quozl (note I said, almost), the contact is allowed to continue. And a secret can only be kept for so long. During the aforementioned third act, when the Quozl find themselves entangled in a legal battle with earthling xenphobes, I was once again overwhelmed by a feeling of deja vu. I had read this story before, and I have. Only it was called Diuturnity's Dawn, the third book in Foster's Founding of the Commonwealth trilogy, Phylogenesis being the first. As is the case with a great many of Foster's novels, I found myself as frustrated with the quick and breezy narrative as I was entertained. This was due to Foster's introducing fascinating concepts and/or ideas, only to then brush past them in the most economical manner so that his story could keep moving forward. It would have been nice if he had taken a moment or two to slow down and examine the important events and their outcomes in a bit more detail. But he did not, so Foster's novel, like far too many of them, is nothing more than a few days worth of diverting entertainment that, with a little more effort, could have been so much more.
READ THE FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG: http://thebookaddictsblog.blogspot.pt...I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.I need to start by saying that I barely read any books set in space, or with alien characters, so I am not an expert on this matter, but I think I can honestly say this is probably one of the best developed out there right now.The Quozl culture, their costumes, their identity as inteligent beings, their way of living. It felt as if nothing was left out. Everything was interestingly detailed and analysed, leaving us with the sense that we knew them as well as the author, there was nothing else we could ask for that wasn't mentioned here. The story didn't feel shallow, basic. It went kilometers deep into Quozl history.I especially adored the way it was funny and light and easy to read, but also extremely profound, scientific and fascinating. It made these little guys feel so real and the story so much more intense and fast to get trough.The next thing that needs to be acknowledged is the way these aliens see the world they are about to enter. In the beginning of the story we see the crew of the Sequencer, after generations and generations of interspace travel from their overpopulated planet, Quozl, as they land on a new (supposedly) unoccupied planet, Shiraz. However, as they study it further, they discover it has already been popularized by other intelligent beings. They landed on Earth. As peaceful, respectful and polite creatures, the Quozl are aghast when they start studying Humans and learn of their violent wars. That's probably what stuck me the most, the views they had on the Human society and their way of exposing it. In my opinion, it was brilliantly made and it was carried all throughout the story.I believe these alien colonists really force us to see what we have let technology, evolution and Human nature do to the world we live in and give an example everyone reading would want to follow.I absolutely loved to love and loved to hate some of the characters. Not because they were detestable, but because they were so clueless and naive. Anyhow, all of the characters were explored and described immensely well and we get to met such a diverse set of them that it's hard to point out any negative aspects.The relationship between aliens and humans was one of the best aspects about the last half of the book. The differences and similarities, especially the differences in the dialogue, was what, in my opinion, took this story to the next level.The ending was not how I pictured it, but it was still really good, and showed that a book like this can remain constant and true to itself and still keep you guessing and reading on. There is always something new to discover, until the very last page. I utterly believe we would like to think that that is not how things would play out, but I think, deep down, we all hope for it. There is no way to guess what would actually happen, but Alan Dean Foster did a remarkable job.Although this isn't a recent book, I would still absolutely recommend it. It was, overall, such an interesting, enjoyable, amusing book, with cute moments, awkward scenes and lovable characters. Under all the subtle humour, it is the kind of sci-fi novel that makes us think 'what if?'
What do You think about Quozl (1991)?
A light and enjoyable tale, although a little unsatisfying in parts. The descriptions of the Quozl species, their culture and habits, is good, very detailed, but I'm glad I didn't see the pics shown on the cover here on Goodreads - I prefer to use my imagination, and not to read this as a picture book.It would have been improved by more information about the integration of the Quozl with humans, apart from the main character. The 'coming out' of the aliens seemed a bit rushed, and there are tantalising hints at the compatability between humans and Quozl, which would have been interesting to explore.I enjoyed it, but there were rather a lot of errors and spelling mistakes for a book that's been around for so long.Reviewed in exchange for a preview Kindle copy.
—Elizabeth Grieve
Those readers who are familiar with Foster’s ‘Flinx and Pip’ adventures are sure to find this book worthy of those stories. Imagine yourself on an interstellar colonization trip to an unknown planet. You spend five generations getting there, and when you finally land, you are not the only sentient race on the planet. Though you are more advanced technologically, the other race has overwhelming numbers and is divided into warring tribal societies.It is decided by your High Council that it would be best to stay hidden until the day comes where you will be safely established in a self-sufficient settlement. It is estimated that you will need two-three hundred years to get to this point. You choose an area where there are few of the indigenous people and begin colonization. The Quozl are a burrowing race and their colony has little or no surface structures. Therefore they are able to live for fifty years without anyone on Earth knowing they are there.The Quozl live in a hive-type society, where they are each a member of a ‘guild’ and each guild-head is among the High Council that leads the society. They also live in multiple connected burrow for which a ‘governor’ is chosen, who also is on the High Council. In this way they live in a very structured society where age and experience is determine your place in the hierarchy. Having originally been a warlike race, they have developed methods to self-inhibit these tendencies, and have learned to channel that nature into art and philosophy. Having spent time listening to ‘TV and radio’ broadcasts, they are confused as to how an advanced race can continuously war with itself. They fear to expose themselves to this new world where they could be declared the enemy of the ‘Human Race’ and thereby be exterminated in an inter-species war.Foster comes up with a unique way in which the Quozl are ‘exposed’ to humans and in the way they find to co-exist on this planet Earth. It’s a fun story and the ending, though too utopian for me, is a rational outgrowth to the rest of the story.Zeb Kantrowitz zworstblog.blogspot.com
—Zeb Kantrowitz
One of my favorite books of all time. Sadly the cover art does not do the depth of this book justice, as it weaves a complex society into its integration on Earth with great skill and poise that belies the "cartoony" art. This is definitely a case of "do not judge the book by its cover". The characters are exceptionally well developed, as is the growing interrelationship between the Quozl and Earthlings, and the dangers such interactions can pose. Grab this one for a fast and entertaining read you won't forget.
—B.T. Lyons
