"Thuf's Travels" is an extremely entertaining adventure fantasy! Written by George Martin with a great sense of gothic humor, but it also provokes serious thoughts about the future of humanity.

The book contains 7 interconnected stories, whose main hero is the wonderful image of Heviland Thuf! These stories are different from Martin's other science fiction works, but just as influential...

"— Wherever I visit, I find that the heroes are terrifying creatures and are always pursued by dangers. Probably, I bring much greater aesthetic pleasure when I orate comforting lies through the filter of my facial expression in melodramatic shows, filled with false optimism and post-coital satisfaction. This is just a symptom of the biggest problem of S'Yutlam. Your blind preference for things as you want them to be, not as they actually are."

Martin's writing in "Thuf's Travels" is a masterclass in creating a world that is both fantastical and thought-provoking. The character of Thuf is complex and engaging, and his adventures take the reader on a journey through a universe full of strange and wonderful creatures.

The book's themes of truth, perception, and the nature of reality are explored in a way that is both accessible and profound. Whether you're a fan of science fiction or just looking for a good read, "Thuf's Travels" is definitely worth checking out.

Well well well… It's truly remarkable how George R. R. Martin seems to have, almost inadvertently, picked up where Stanisław Lem left off in the early 1980s when it comes to sci-fi literature.

This particular work is absolutely awesome. It engages the reader from the very first page and keeps them hooked throughout. It's not only super-fun to read but also has its moments of gore, which adds an extra layer of excitement.

It's a total 5-star read without a doubt. One can't help but be in awe of the creativity and imagination that went into creating this world.

P.S.: It's rather puzzling to think about how this hasn't been adapted to the screen yet. With its engaging storyline and vivid characters, it seems like a perfect candidate for a movie or TV series adaptation. One can only hope that it happens soon and that the adaptation does justice to the original work.

**The Adventures of Tuf: A Mixed Bag of Science Fiction Tales**

  3.0

  

  
    "El blanco es el color de la pureza y la estrella está purificando este lugar. Y,sin embargo, a su contacto todo se corrompe y muere."
  

  Attention! Do not read the book synopsis as it contains spoilers.




We are presented with seven stories that tell of some adventures of Tuf, a merchant who, for one reason or another, will end up working in a very special profession. I can't reveal the reason for various reasons as it would be a spoiler for the first story.



My notes for each story are as follows:




  1. The Plague Star. 4/5.
2. The Bread and the Fish. 3/5.
3. Guardians. 4/5.
4. A Second Helping. 3/5.
5. A Beast for Norn. 2/5.
6. Call Her Moses. 2/5.
7. Tomorrow in the Sky. 2.5/5.

  

There have been
  some things in the book that I loved and others that disappointed me
to a great extent.



The part that I loved was Tuf, the cats, and Tolly Mune.



Tuf is a sarcastic giant, intelligent and kind-hearted, who loves cats, beer, and edible mushrooms. The character is very well constructed and it is he who, to a large extent, has saved all the imperfections of the book.



Tolly Mune, a rather important woman throughout the book, I also liked. She is the opposite pole to Tuffy but at the same time they are so similar that it is scary - a fact that is very well reflected in the last story.

  

  
    "Her name was Tolly Mune, but in the history books she has received many different names."

"Look at us, Tuf. We are a rather unlikely couple of lovers who met among the stars. But I must admit that in that way the story gains a lot."
  

And the cats were, in short, adorable; the truth is that I would really like to travel surrounded by cats and in a certain way "in my own way".

  

  
    "A culture with cats is richer and more human than one deprived of that absolutely incomparable company."
  

I also liked the political part that most of the stories - if not all - have.

  

  
    "If we are going to steal a ship we need a good legal excuse, don't we? We are a damned government. We are allowed to steal everything that comes our way, as long as we can adorn it with a shiny legal covering."
  

But let's sour the milk and go to the part that I didn't like and that disappointed me enormously.



For me, science fiction and religion are incompatible. To evolve on such a scale, I believe that we have to leave behind the four little gods that humanity has believed in since the cave days and get serious. And although the protagonist hates religion and everything that such beliefs entail, there are indeed other characters who believe very devoutly. I didn't like it and it seemed completely inconsistent to me.




It is a book that is read quickly - if you are not in high school - but Martin's writing also didn't seem like a
  GREAT THING
to me. Many people describe his writing style as "beautiful" but if I'm honest with you, it seems normal to me and that's it.



In summary, The Journeys of Tuf is not my book of the year by any means, but it is a good book to get started in science fiction and to laugh at the carefreeness and irony of Tuf.

  

  
    "I'll call you Suspicion - he said -, in order to commemorate my reception on this planet. Your other littermates will be Doubt, Hostility, Ingratitude, and Stupidity."
  

  Daughter of the stars out.

2002

Maybe I'm a bit biased, given my deep love for Martin's work. However, "Tuf Voyaging" is truly a remarkable treat. It tells the story of a sarcastic cat lover who acquires an old Earth Imperial seedship from the Ecological Engineering Corps and transforms himself into an "ecological engineer." The dialogue in this book is simply invaluable. Haviland Tuf takes everything extremely literally and responds with a combination of gravity and sarcasm that often makes me burst out laughing. Tuf is an outstanding character, and the stories within are incredibly engaging. I've read a significant amount of Martin's work, but aside from his ASOIAF universe (including the Hedge Knight series, which is an absolute must-read for any ASOIAF fan) and the short story "Sandkings," not much else has left a profound impression. But "Tuf Voyaging" is different. I vividly remember the first time I read it and shared it with my college boyfriend. He loved it just as much as I did. He not only bought his own copy but also started purchasing copies for others and pestering them to read it. It's that kind of book that has the power to captivate and inspire a passion for reading in those who encounter it.

Discover something truly extraordinary on a captivating road trip that traverses through diverse worlds and planets. Our stylish protagonist embarks on this adventure within a seed ship brimming with an abundance of wonder options, which might just become a reality one day.

I'm not entirely certain if it's my profound affection for Martin that makes my rating more subjective than usual or if this is indeed an incredibly amazing and thrilling ride. However, the simple, single-plotline story, masterfully executed, of a cool guy cruising around in space, playing the role of a god, altering cultures and evolution, imparting some indirect morality lessons, and at times even returning to his place of origin, is truly something else.

Especially this concept of not merely doing something seemingly Clarketech and then walking or flying away as if it never happened in case of a disastrous failure, but instead going back to witness what has occurred and is actually happening. It's like a multifunctional Swiss army knife of science fiction as it allows for the展示 of any time period of whatever fictional culture one has crafted.

It makes me ponder why there are thousands of epic fantasy journeys with a quest-like chapter style, while there aren't as many adventurous quest novels in science fiction. Perhaps this is because fantasy is extremely overrepresented in literature compared to science fiction, although science fantasy holds the greatest potential of them all, especially when incorporating elements such as body horror, psycho-thriller, and comedy and satire. And with all these paths, the nature of alternative earths, alien biology, any kind of technology, etc., there are still so many fresh and unused options and especially combinations. I've already come across so many never-before-seen ideas of how to use old tropes and stereotypical genre conventions in a surprisingly novel way in science fiction.

It's rather strange that this novel didn't gain more popularity after the success of Game of Thrones. Since there aren't really that many of his novels in circulation, what could be more obvious than to pick this one to shorten the waiting time. And perhaps a few dozen or even hundreds of other books for sure. Sorry, George, but you kind of asked for it.

Tropes reveal how literature is conceptualized and created, and which combination of elements makes works and genres unique: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...

Man muss nicht viele Worte über dieses Buch verlieren, das scheinbar nur erschienen ist, um mit dem Hype um den Autor von Game of Thrones noch etwas Kasse zu machen. Ich fasse mich also kurz.

The short stories about Haviland Tuf are shockingly average and, despite their brevity, have some longueurs. This is mainly due to the (in the truest sense of the word) pale main protagonist, who cannot generate sympathy for a single second. On the contrary: Tuf's self-satisfied dialogues create an annoying shallowness - despite "big" themes such as overpopulation, religion, and ecology.

Also, the other characters, who seemingly either have eagle noses or simply have to be fat according to Martin, are given so little depth that one sometimes wishes Tuf would simply wipe them out with his seedship.

So, "Planetenwanderer" remains a rather flat collection of short stories that only scratches the surface despite an interesting scenario. How one can better approach such themes has been shown much more impressively by Dan Simmons in "Die Hyperion-Gesänge".

Whoever doesn't want to think too much and simply needs a good vacation read can quite happily be with "Planetenwanderer".

A fun and interesting collection of sci-fi awaits! At its core is a big bald white guy, perhaps an author self-insert? He has a collection of cats and together, they solve planetary issues aboard a ridiculously large spaceship that wields the powers of creation.

If you have a penchant for sci-fi, I truly believe you'll enjoy this. What I particularly liked was the ecological and sociological focus of the problems and their solutions. It adds a layer of depth and relevance to the story.

George, the writer, is very plainspoken yet evocative. His style reminds me of how his geeky and niche subject matter managed to result in one of HBO's biggest shows. It's a testament to his talent and the engaging nature of his work. So, if you're looking for a unique and captivating sci-fi experience, give this collection a try!

This entertaining read was suggested to me by Goodreads member Sully.

My only prior exposure to Martin's work had been the mythology-laced Game of Thrones. In contrast, this is a sci-fi dystopian novel set in a remote future.

Life seems normal until Mr. Tuf, a minor interstellar trader, gets hold of the most powerful spaceship in the universe. This spaceship bestows him with god-like powers to transform the ecology of planets. Moral questions besiege his actions, of course. Can a person make decisions affecting an entire planet? Who keeps him in check? Shouldn't these decisions be put to a vote? Etc.

Tuf is very ingenious in handling his newly acquired power. His eccentricity allows him to remain reasonably normal, but his reach begins to grow to include whole worlds. The book ends before we can see how he ends up.

Overall, I enjoyed it although at times things were a bit predictable. The story had its moments of excitement and thought-provoking ideas. The concept of a person having such vast power over entire planets is both fascinating and concerning. It makes you wonder about the responsibilities that come with power and the importance of having checks and balances in place. While the predictability at times may have taken away from the overall experience, it didn't completely overshadow the interesting plot and characters. I would recommend this book to fans of sci-fi and dystopian literature.

A Cosmic Odyssey

This story truly stands out with its exceptional writing. The protagonist is an emotionally distant figure, yet manages to be utterly fascinating. As the narrative unfolds, the protagonist finds himself/herself constantly facing moral dilemmas. Despite this emotional detachment, there is a genuine desire to help people. The plot is masterfully crafted, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat throughout. It weaves a web of mystery and excitement that is impossible to resist. And when it comes to the ending, it is truly memorable. It leaves a lasting impression, making the reader reflect on the journey that they have just taken with the protagonist. Overall, this is a story that combines great writing, a captivating protagonist, and a thrilling plot to create a truly unforgettable cosmic odyssey.

Tuf Voyaging is an outstanding earlier sci-fi work by George Martin.

Essentially, it is a compilation of short stories, all centered around a space traveler named Tuf. He is a vegetarian who lives with several cats and possesses a colossal bio-engineering spaceship. This remarkable spaceship has the ability to clone any life form and grow it within hours.

Consequently, Tuf traverses the galaxy, endeavoring to assist worlds with their socioecological issues. It makes for an enjoyable read, although it may be a touch repetitive at times. And like any collection of short stories, their quality varies.

I was particularly fond of the S'uthlam trilogy (Loaves and Fishes/Second Helpings/Manna from Heaven). It is about an overpopulated planet on the brink of war and global hunger. It offers an intriguing perspective on a world that defies common sense by embracing reproduction. I especially admired Tuf's ultimate solution to their problem.

The other stories in the collection range from 'good' to 'meh'. However, overall, it is a solid book and great fun for fans of space-traveling adventures.

Tuff – the ecological businessman, or the God of the galaxy

Years ago, Martin appeared on the Bulgarian market with several fantastic works, and then came the "apocalypse" with "A Song of Ice and Fire", which almost "erased" for readers everything he had published before. But Martin has written wonderful books and it was normal to see them too, recently in new editions and covers, so strangely reminding of his epic fantasy series (no other way). But science fiction lies more in my heart, so I started the journey from this unusual Martin universe without thinking about it. "The Adventures of Tuff" ("The Bard", 2018, translated by Rosen Rashkov) I even read twice, the second time already in the new edition, and I am satisfied with my decision. I think I evaluated it appropriately only now, although I remember it with good feelings then. In fact, it turned out that I like it much more than "The Death of Light", "In the House of the Worm" and "The Night Hunter". This Tuff is bound to make an impression, that's clear, as long as readers still allow into their midst people with aristocratic behavior and thinking, which causes migraines with its punctuality. Certainly from time to time he is able to mess with the mind, no doubt. And let's not forget his beloved cats. Now imagine the picture up and down.

(Continued in the blog: https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/201...)

None of the heroes in this work is likable. However, it would even be interesting if they weren't all cardboard and one-dimensional. And Taff, the main hero, is no different. He is extremely unpleasant: arrogant, narcissistic, and haughty, yet also vain. At the same time, he is polite to the point of teeth-gritting - able to bring out the worst in anyone. Taff rather insistently promotes his love for cats, ignoring the feelings of others. He also deprives the passengers of his ship of meat, while his vegetarianism doesn't prevent him from breeding and feeding animals to the visited planets. The stories themselves are also cardboard and predictable, united by various (very distant) references to biblical plots. They don't pose any interesting or complex questions. If they ever thought about the Maltese cross and the fates of animals in zoos or even circuses, the entertainment value suffers, in part due to the overly specific humor, in which it is assumed that one should laugh haughtily along with Taff. Perhaps it will appeal to crazy cat lovers and those who want to impose their vegetarianism on others. And reading three stories almost about the Maltese cross (but even in the third, the inevitable solution doesn't please because of the self-satisfied main hero). Overall, it is only interesting as an example of a book without a single pleasant hero, but I can't get rid of the feeling that Martin didn't think of Taff as so disgusting and approves of him.