**Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin**

Tuf Voyaging presents a collection of captivating stories. The plague star story is truly engrossing, with its outstanding dynamic movement. It's so hard to put down that I couldn't even start other stories I was reading, as I was eager to know if Tuf would survive the terrors on the ship.

Loaves and Fishes is a bit harder to get into initially, but it fulfills its promise by the end. I appreciate the solutions devised to help the world deal with its ecological problems.

Guardians showcases the conflict between ecology and culture, as well as different interpretations of intelligence. The 100-year-old colony is in trouble, forcing Tuf to take offensive action before he's ready.

Second Helpings has Tuf returning to s'uthlam and discovering that the legend he left behind has been corrupted and the culture has experienced a population explosion, shrinking a 100-year safety barrier to 18 years.

A Beast for Norm demonstrates how the exploitation of animals for human entertainment is a gross abomination. Tuf uses the greed and desire for honor of the houses to bankrupt them, making them focus on survival rather than animal battles.

Call Him Moses tells of a religious man who attempts to change his neighbors using the legend of Moses and new stories of the ark and Tuf to frighten and enslave them. Tuf discovers this and restores the people's beliefs, proving Moses to be a fraud.

Manna from Heaven shows Tuf's abrupt and violent welcome back to s'uthlam, once again being called upon to give up the ark and provide sustenance for the people of S'uthlam for survival.

The first novel of Martin that I read in my life is a very good example of his genius.

Here, Martin explores the realm of science fiction by presenting us with Haviland Tuf, a cat-loving merchant who manages to obtain "The Ark", an enormous ultra-technological spaceship. With it, he will travel through space, providing his various services to different cultures. Therefore, this is a book with different stories, which will, of course, have the beloved Tuf and his cats as the central thread.

I think there is no need for me to go on and on to say that I have loved this novel. Martin's pen, of course, is magnificent, and the stories are very interesting, covering topics that are pure entertainment and others that are more serious, such as overpopulation, religion, the dirtiness of politics... among others that made me laugh and reflect.

However, it is in its continuity that we find some problems. The variation in quality between some stories and others is noticeable. After doing a little research on them, I realized that Martin wrote these stories in different periods of his life (some before others), and that shows. Especially in "The Guardians" and "A Beast for Norn", stories that Martin wrote when he was just starting out as a writer... and although I understand that the author revised them to publish them as a novel, they do not manage to equal the quality of the others, making the book not quite as rounded as we would like. Of course, it doesn't mean that those stories are rubbish either. In fact, they are quite readable, just not as spectacular as the rest of the novel.

In conclusion, it is a very good book that made me laugh and enjoy. I recommend it to all fans of Martin and, of course, to all fans of cats.

Very good!

He has finished "Los Viajes dd Tuf".

It received a 5/5 rating. It's really crazy that it has to come back in 2021 in order to dethrone it from the Top 5 of annual readings.

This work seems to have made a significant impact on the reader. The high rating indicates that it is highly regarded.

The idea of it potentially being dethroned from the top 5 shows just how competitive the field of annual readings is.

Perhaps there are other great works that are vying for that top spot in 2021.

But for now, "Los Viajes dd Tuf" holds a special place in the reader's heart and among the annual readings.

It will be interesting to see if it can maintain its position or if a new favorite will emerge.

Only time will tell.

Before he crafted his own fantasy world with "A Song of Ice and Fire", George R.R. Martin created a science fiction cosmos in which many of his stories and novellas, as well as his novel "Dying of the Light", are set. This cosmos has a complex backstory, so a glossary was attached to the novel at that time. "Planet Wanderer" also takes place in this universe, but one doesn't have to know the backstory to appreciate these stories.

The short story "The Plague Star" tells of how Haviland Tuf came into possession of the Ark, a seedship for the ecological warfare of the Ecological Engineering Corps of the former imperial forces, which was abandoned and forgotten.

"The Ark carried in its heart several huge cell libraries with tissue samples of literally millions of different plants and animals and vital life forms from countless planets[…]These samples were cloned[] and so the Ark and its lost sister ships could send out diseases to decimate the population of a planet, insects to destroy the harvest[…] S.89"

So, a 20-kilometer-long spaceship that in the wrong hands can be an unimaginable power tool and a可怕的weapon.

It is hired as captain by a group of fortune hunters, for the ship orbits a planet and is not easy to board. However, the greed of the individual participants is so great that they kill each other. But the ship itself also holds dangers. Since Tuf is rather defensive and actually the wiliest, he survives all the dangers, and he realizes that one can also earn quite normal money with it. He manages to control it and use it responsibly, justifying this appropriation in hindsight.

First, Tuf flies to the planet S’uthlam to have the damage to his ship repaired in the orbital port. The planet suffers from overpopulation and therefore urgently needs help, also because the neighboring planets do not allow the S’uthlamers to found colonies. And birth control is prohibited by the dominant life ideology.

The second story in the volume, "Bread and Fishes", tells of how Tuf tries to help the inhabitants by using the fantastic possibilities of the seedship and creating new, more productive plant and animal species. But the seedship itself awakens the greed of the planetary government. But through the resolute intervention of Tolly Mune, the head of the orbital spaceport of S‘uthlam, Tuf can escape.

In "Watchers", Tuf offers his help to the settlers on the planet Namor. The animal world there is trying to get rid of the human settlers. Tuf makes dangerous species available to fight the monsters. The planet keeps presenting ever more可怕的creatures, a kind of biological arms race sets in, until Tuf finds the cause of the uprising. An entertaining and original story that could well have inspired Frank Schätzing for his novel "The Swarm".

In "The Second Feeding", Tuf returns to S’uthlam, also to pay for the repair of his ship. There, the newly introduced plants and animals have only postponed the collapse, and the problems are more urgent than before. And Tolly Mune, who has rewritten her cooperation with the reserved Tuf into a romance in a book, is now a senator because she has become so popular through her book.

Tuf has meanwhile learned a lot and again makes new species available to the planet. This amounts to almost all plants and animals on the planet being edible.

"A Beast for Norn": Tuf, who is actually an animal lover, makes new dangerous animals available for the cruel animal fights on the planet Norn when one of the houses that organizes these fights is outmatched by their animals. Then all the organizers want new animals, with unforeseen consequences for them and the planet. Also a very colorful story that makes one think.

In "Call Him Moses", Tuf fights against a supposed prophet who also seems to be able to command nature and has driven the planetarians out of the comfortable domes because they are supposed to lead a simple life again. The weakest story in the volume, but still original and exciting.

"Manna from Heaven": Tuf's third visit comes to a decision. Tolly Mune is now the president. She faces even more difficult decisions when Tuf presents his latest creation, which is capable of solving all problems. But it is clear that ultimately the problem of overpopulation cannot be solved solely by ever new scientific achievements.

The theme of ecology also emerged in SF in the 70s, as this book attests. Martin takes it up with a lot of fantasy, and one can see on close reading that he is also serious about the theme. Only that this goes well with the "entertainment value" of the "novel". Martin belongs to the best storytellers in fantasy. His strength is the creation of unmistakable characters like Haviland Tuf and Tolly Mune, where the latter is to be counted among the most remarkable female figures in SF. Characters that are complex and where one always also has the impression that they are keeping a remainder of mystery to themselves, just like a real human being.

The success of "A Song of Ice and Fire" also has the positive side effect that Martin's work as a whole receives more attention. So it was probably possible to finally publish the chronologically related stories, which the publisher advertises as a "novel", as a book.

A clear recommendation for friends of good science fiction and a must for fans of GRRM.

Desde un comienzo muy notable, se desliza hacia abajo con bastante oficio.

Genre. Tales.

What it tells us. A set of seven related tales (plus a prologue) up to the Fix-Up, written from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, which presents us with the independent merchant Haviland Tuf, quite a character, how he ends up in command of a ship capable of carrying out complex bio-ecological engineering jobs and what type of tasks he faces with it.

Do you want to know more about this book, without spoilers? Visit:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com....

This book offers a captivating collection of stories. The character of Haviland Tuf is truly engaging, and the concept of his ship and the bio-ecological engineering tasks it undertakes is both unique and fascinating. The tales span over a decade, providing a rich and detailed exploration of this fictional world. Whether you are a fan of science fiction or simply enjoy a good story, this book is sure to appeal to you. So, don't hesitate to visit the provided link and discover more about "The Voyages of Tuf" by George R. R. Martin.

4.5

I was truly very surprised by this book. It has been many (and quite a few) years since I read anything by R. R. Martin, and I'm glad to see that there is a world beyond "A Song of Ice and Fire" with this author.

In this space opera, we will follow Tuf, a plump merchant who is obsessed with cats and suddenly, for various reasons, finds himself in possession of one of the most powerful ships in the Galaxy. From here, and after a first chapter that left me a bit shocked (I didn't expect to read about tyrannosaurs in space), we will be witnesses to the wit and ingenuity of our protagonist when it comes to solving various conflicts in his travels and "adventures". And I put this word in quotes because I don't know if having ingenious conversations, petting kittens, and eating a lot of vegetables in sauces could be counted as adventures... But that's the feeling the novel gives, and it's incredibly entertaining.
It has a somewhat particular structure, as each chapter forms a different journey or adventure, between which sometimes several years pass... However, they all have something in common: Tuf is the only "ecological engineer" that exists in the Galaxy, and as such, he faces environmental problems on the different planets he passes through, with one of them being recurrent.

A very cool, fun book, with touches of humor and the odd not-too-precious reflection, as it is a rather simple but very engaging story.
It's rather light science fiction, so if it catches your attention, I don't think it will pose much of a challenge in that regard.

Qué alegría volver a leer a Tito Martín.

It is such a joy to read Tito Martín again. His works always have a unique charm that can attract readers deeply.

The book is very nice, for sure. It has a wonderful storyline and vivid characters. The author's writing style is also very engaging, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the story.

This review is of high quality above all. It accurately reflects the reader's feelings and evaluations of the book. It not only praises the advantages of the book but also provides some useful information for other readers.

In general, this is a very good review, and it makes people look forward to reading Tito Martín's works even more.

☆4.75/5☆

▪ Plot 5/5
▪ Details 4.5/5
▪ Characters 5/5
▪ World building 5/5
▪ Logic 4.75/5
▪ Writing style 5/5
▪ Enjoyment 5/5

This is my very first real foray into the world of science fiction, and I am truly overjoyed that I decided to pick up this particular piece. The world building within it is nothing short of f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c. Every aspect of the fictional world is meticulously crafted, drawing the reader in and making them feel as if they are truly a part of it.

Moreover, all of the characters are insanely interesting. Each one has their own unique personality, backstory, and motivation, which makes them feel incredibly real and relatable. It's rare to find a book where every single character is so well-developed and engaging.

Gosh, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone! Whether you're a die-hard science fiction fan or just someone who's looking for a great read, you are definitely going to enjoy it. I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us in the future.

Spoiler: You are going to enjoy it.

The universe is filled with ecological crises: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/p...

At the beginning, I evaluated the book as similar to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams, with the individual books of which being published between 1979 and 1992. However, when Martin started methodically killing off his initial heroes, I realized I was wrong - if nothing else, he is truly dedicated to such literary actions long before embarking on "Game of Thrones". Haviland Tuf is a rather unsuccessful interstellar trader with a shiny exterior and asexual behavior, who speaks in a way that inevitably leads one to think of murder - preferably by stuffing his mouth first. I don't know why, but in his stubborn principle and annoyingly moralizing, I saw an early version of Samuel Tarly, but maybe I'm just imagining it. Still, as a positive, he loves cats and their participation in the book is serious, even overwhelming.

Publishing house BARDhttp://knigolandia.info/book-review/p...

One of George R.R. Martin's best books!

I originally found this book in a used-book store while in college and it has become an old friend. I don't read it as often as LOTR but when I do it is always a pleasure.

Haviland Tuf is a wandering trader of the spacelanes in the tradition of Star Trek's Cryano Jones. Like Jones, he isn't very good at his job --- he barely gets by. That is until he gets chartered to ferry some not-so-nice passengers in search of a dark and long-forgotten legend. What they find not only ends the lives that they once had --- in most cases, quite literally --- but launches Tuf on a new career.

Martin's writing in this book is truly outstanding. He creates a vivid and immersive world, filled with complex characters and thrilling adventures. The story is full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

I will say no more but let you discover it all to your own great pleasure.

Martin is at his very best in this book. His characters are thoroughly dimensional and thoroughly human. In my many readings, I don't think I ever discovered a false note in any of his portrayals. Each character has their own unique personality, motives, and flaws, making them feel real and relatable.

If you're a fan of science fiction or just great storytelling, then this book is a must-read. It will take you on a journey through a strange and wonderful universe, filled with danger, excitement, and unexpected surprises.

'Tuf Voyaging', originally published in 1986, consists of seven stories mostly published in Analog in 1985. Remember 1985? 'Money for Nothing', 'A View to a Kill', AIDS, Gorbachev, New Coke, Nintendo, and 'The Breakfast Club' all ring a bell? That's right. It was a year when leaders seemed bent on fighting, greed prevailed, and the youth movement was about distancing from adults. Clearly, Martin was in tune with the times as his protagonist Tuf, who is often misunderstood, calls out governments and nobles and just wants to be left alone with his cats.

The first story, 'The Plague Star', sets the stage. A group of four, bound by greed, see Tuf as the answer to their transport woes. As described, "The man is an independent trader, of sorts. Not a very successful one... He must be getting desperate--desperate enough, I'd think, so that he'll jump at this opportunity... He'll give us no trouble. He's big, but soft, inside and out. He keeps cats, I hear. Doesn't much like people. Drinks a lot of beer, eats too much." It's a novella-length 120 pages that details how a humble space trader comes to possess an ancient'seed' ship.

The other stories mainly involve Tuf traveling to different parts of the universe and'solving problems', with a recurring visit to the Port of S'uthlam, a sophisticated space repair station. 'Loaves and Fishes' shows how Tuf fixes the repair issues at the Port. At 75 pages, it's the second-longest story, while the others are under 50. 'Guardians' is about a fishing world plagued by leviathans that Tuf offers to assist. 'Second Helpings' is a return to the Port seeking another miracle of the fishes. 'A Beast for Norn' and 'Call Him Moses' follow. 'Beast' might seem like a morality tale initially, but it's not. Tuf treats animals as disposable as his clients do. Finally, 'Manna From Heaven' is a final confrontation at the Port that includes a philosophical showdown with the Port Manager.

This feels like old-school sci-fi. The universe seems less about cohesive world-building and more like the sci-fi equivalent of Star Trek. The ship is thirty kilometers long, usually crewed by two hundred but can be largely run by one person after reading a few manuals. You can clone anything from a cat to a T.rex, and the defense system includes monsters from lesser-known parts of the universe.

It's a great premise, but instead of the expected 'humble man achieves power and imposes order on chaotic systems', it feels like half morality tale, half destructive wish fulfillment fantasy. Like a djinn, Tuf often gives people what they ask for, not what they need, in exchange for a few million to pay off his debt. I would have had less of a problem if it wasn't clear that many were suffering while he let leaders mess around, essentially punishing them until they agreed with him. The Port Manager early on makes the point about absolute power corrupting. While I'm not sure Tuf was corrupted, being an asshole with excessive power definitely made him an even bigger asshole on a large scale. Larger questions about society's stability are indirectly mentioned as a potential consequence, but neither Tuf nor the reader gets to see them.

I seriously considered Tuf as George R.R. Martin's alter ego. Drinking dark beer, complaining about food on other planets, and how no one gives him the benefit of the doubt or treats him with suspicion when he struggles to convey his ideas. His solution in 'Loaves and Fishes' involves 45 days of isolation and working without a word to anyone. (I suspect Tuf was working on the outline to GoT). I mean, this quote, "Yet, poisonous cynic that I am, I cannot help but suspect that ultimately the S'uthlamese may decide that some lives are more sacred than others," sure sounds like George commenting on a policy.

I was reminded of James White's Sector General series about a deep-space hospital for beings of all kinds. While Tuf Voyaging manages to avoid much of the misogyny and cultural centrism of that era, the collection has limitations. 'Guardians' is the least problematic story and got Martin nominated for an award or two. 'The Plague Star' is interesting in its aftermath, though most of the characters are unlikable. Basically, I wanted more interesting problem-solving or discussion and more aliens. Enjoyment depends on being able to overlook details and see where the story takes you. And it helps if you love cats.

The peace-loving and eccentric cat-lover Tuff travels around the universe and spreads his own concept of justice.

It is a very cozy book that reminds me of the TV series "Firefly".

Martin deserves 5 stars.

This book takes the reader on an exciting journey through the universe with Tuff as the protagonist.

Tuff's unique personality and his unwavering belief in justice make him a truly charming character.

The story is filled with interesting adventures and encounters that keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

Overall, it is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys science fiction and stories about justice and adventure.