Biased towards George R. R. Martin's writing, this book may not reach the heights of his future novels. However, it has a cool premise. A space trader turned ecological engineer visits different worlds accompanied by his cats and attempts to solve problems, offering grand yet twisted solutions to fit his agenda. Tuf is not your typical sci-fi protagonist. He is an old white man with very little facial hair, a placid yet eloquent social recluse who prefers to handle situations independently (perhaps an extension of GRM himself). What makes this story stand out from the rest of the genre is the transformation of this odd figure into the hero. It's an interesting concept that keeps the reader engaged. The idea of an ecological engineer traveling through space and using his unique skills to solve problems in strange and unexpected ways is both fascinating and thought-provoking. Despite its flaws, the book has its own charm and offers a different perspective on the sci-fi genre.

From the very beginning, I can see a certain similarity with the story series Nightflyers here, that is, if we ignore the fact that some form of it is also mentioned here. The main hero Tuf to a certain extent reminds me of captain Erise, but it seems that Mr. Martin was writing around the same time and developed different ideas in those stories. Anyway, in this edition, it feels very coherent.

Haviland Tuf was originally not a very successful merchant and the owner of a ship named "The Horn of Plenty of Excellent Goods at Low Prices". He likes good food and drink and does not allow cats on his ship, although they are regarded as parasites on different planets. People often take advantage of his kindness and eagerness to help, but in fact, he is by no means a fool. After certain difficulties of a scientific expedition that he transported in complete secrecy, he becomes the only survivor and the owner of an ancient cloning warship of ecological engineers from the old Earth. He names the huge thirty-kilometer-long ship "Archa" because here are stored samples of all possible plants and animals that can also be cloned here. Tuf chooses a new profession, he wants to be an ecological engineer and help various worlds with their problems. This is not easy, several worlds would give anything to own this ship that can not only create life but also destroy entire planets. Someone with such power actually suits the role of a god...

An incidentally interesting and entertaining little book, Tuf has amazing lines. For example, "I am familiar with the ancient ritual of offering a hand, sir. I take into account that you have no weapon on you. As far as I know, this custom was originally introduced to convince the partner of this fact. I am also unarmed. Please be so kind and move that hand away."

I was expecting a lot more considering it was written by George R. R. Martin. The story is entertaining, but I have had a hard time empathizing with the main character.

It seems that despite the author's renowned reputation, this particular work didn't quite manage to draw me in as deeply as I had hoped. The plot has its moments of excitement and intrigue, yet the lack of a strong connection with the protagonist has left me feeling somewhat detached.

Perhaps it's a matter of personal taste, but I found myself struggling to understand the character's motives and actions. While the story itself is engaging, without that emotional bond, it doesn't have the same impact.

Nevertheless, I still appreciate the effort that went into creating this fictional world, and I look forward to seeing what else George R. R. Martin has in store for us in the future.

8,25 - 8,5/10

Martin, you are a rascal.

He comes up with a bloody space opera, breaking away from his traditional fantasy and once again creates a tremendous piece. Why didn't he make a sequel? It seems that he could have created 20, 30 more stories. A person of his caliber shouldn't limit his work due to his slow writing speed.

Tuf, you are a real character, but how enjoyable it is to read about you.

And the cats. Well. Cats. What can I say? They make the novel 10 times better.

To top it off, he blends comedy with serious moments to perfection and has a sublime ending.

I have never finished a book before and felt impotence and incredulity about why there isn't a big screen adaptation (even in the form of animation it would be better).

This book truly stands out with its unique blend of elements. The space opera aspect takes readers on a thrilling adventure through the cosmos, while the character of Tuf adds a touch of eccentricity and charm. The cats, with their mysterious and often humorous antics, bring an extra layer of entertainment. The seamless combination of comedy and serious moments keeps the reader engaged from start to finish, and the sublime ending leaves a lasting impression. It's a shame that there isn't yet a big screen adaptation to bring this wonderful story to an even wider audience.

3.5-stars.

Like the majority of George Martin's work, this was very well written and imagined. The story stands out as it delves into the realm of sci-fi, a departure from his usual fantasy genre. This unique choice adds an interesting twist to his already impressive body of work.

Martin comes up with some truly good ideas in this book. It makes one wonder if the old film "Silent Running" might have been one of his influences. The concept of a lone protagonist in a vast and desolate universe, caring for a precious cargo, seems to have some parallels.

However, the thing that made me mark it down was the main character, "Haviland Tuf." He is such a dispassionate person, despite his love for his cats. This lack of emotional depth can make it a bit difficult for the reader to fully connect with him. But if you like the sound of sci-fi with giant space ships and a liberal sprinkling of cats, then I'd give this book a try. It offers an engaging and thought-provoking read that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre.

It took me an incredibly long time to get my hands on this book. I finally received it as a present!

Don't wait as long as I did to read it - this is truly a great book. It's definitely very different from the epic fantasy that Martin has become most famous for, but fans of Martin are well aware of his wide range of styles.

The book gathers stories about Haviland Tuf, an Ecological Engineer (and a cat lover), which were originally published separately but come together to form a coherent novel.

The first section is a classic "subtraction" story. Tuf, a minor space trader and the owner of the ship 'Cornucopia Of Excellent Goods At Low Prices', is hired by a diverse group of disreputable individuals who suspect they know where to find an intact'seedship' of a defunct Empire, more powerful than anything currently known in the galaxy. However, disreputable characters tend to act in a disreputable manner, and soon infighting and plots ensue. Thanks to a combination of ingenuity and luck, Tuf ends up as the sole owner of the ship and sets himself up as an Ecological Engineer, available for hire to solve any kind of planetary problem.

Although he has a variety of commissions and adventures, he keeps getting called back to the planet of S'uthlam, a place overpopulated by a 'nice' but religious people who believe it is their manifest destiny to breed as much as possible. In the past, this has caused major problems with their planetary neighbors, who don't want to be overrun by S'uthlam. Now they are confined to their own planet - but they are running out of food and resources.

Tuf helps with improved agricultural strains and methods - but this only enables the S'uthlam to breed more rapidly. The hard-headed, tough Portmaster, Tully Mune, who knows her people have an even more serious problem than they realize, has to keep calling Tuf back... and drastic problems may require drastic measures.

This book is clever, funny, and entertaining - and also skillfully deals with some of the most serious problems that we here on earth have, much like the S'uthlam, refused to address. More than anything else I've read recently, I keep finding myself discussing this book with other people.

Klappentext: Ökoingenieur Haviland Tuf faces an almost insurmountable task: the salvation of humanity.

The human race has spread across the infinite expanse of the universe. New settlements have emerged everywhere, and each world harbors new dangers. When the interplanetary trader Haviland Tuf acquires one of the last seedships of Earth, his odyssey across the universe begins. An odyssey on which he transforms from a simple trader into the celebrated savior of humanity...

Well, actually, it's not quite that far to the end with the celebration. On the contrary, Haviland's complaint that his good will, his eagerness to help, and his openness are constantly rewarded with mistrust, hostility, and attempts to cheat him is a kind of running gag in the novel. Because the human civilizations on various planets that are heading towards destruction due to overpopulation, crazy religions, and exploitation of nature would indeed very much like to be saved by the biotechnological possibilities of Haviland's "seedship," but only on the condition that they can continue as before. Haviland's attempts to bring reason to his customers fall on all kinds of things - except fertile ground.

Does this perhaps sound familiar to some of you from planets that don't even require a telescope for observation, let alone a spaceship? Exactly. And that also makes up part of the charm of this fast-paced, exciting, and amusing space adventure, for which I give an unreserved reading or listening recommendation. The rest is taken care of by Master Martin with his well-known ability to invent fantastic plots and bring them to paper in a captivating way.

An early novel penned by George R.R. Martin, and it is truly an addictive read! I'm not typically the most enthusiastic fan of Sci-Fi. However, this book titled Tuf's Voyages is magnificent. Each planet presents a new adventure, and yet the characters, including the cats

I have really liked the character that Martin has created. It has many nuances, is anything but conventional, and is deeper than it seems at first glance.

Undoubtedly, one thing that stands out about him is his way of speaking, which, without intending to, has made me laugh many times.

It is true that, except in the first "episode", he continues to use the same pattern (introduction, knot, and resolution) in which Tuf solves a problem. However, I still think that the entire theme of genetics and ecology is treated in a more than satisfactory way (endorsed by a biologist friend xD), and that you understand it without knowing about the subject.

This character and the story around it have managed to capture my attention and keep me engaged throughout. The unique qualities of the character and the interesting treatment of the scientific themes make it a truly enjoyable read. I look forward to seeing what else Martin has in store for us with this character and his adventures.

I have read this book multiple times ever since I first discovered it during my junior high school days. To be honest, this is my absolute favorite book by Martin, despite the astonishing success of "Song of Ice and Fire". In fact, I was so enthralled that I even went as far as writing a fan fic short story set within the same universe.

Whenever I find myself at a loss for something to read, this book is always one of my go-to choices. It has the remarkable quality of being incredibly easy to pick up, allowing me to immerse myself in its world without any hesitation. What's more, it is a quick read, yet it manages to be fun every single time I open its pages.

The story is filled with engaging characters, thrilling plot twists, and a richly detailed setting that keeps me coming back for more. It has truly left an indelible mark on me and remains a cherished part of my literary collection.

Tolly Mune is truly the best character. The very concept of a seedship serves as the most excellent excuse for the stories.

If, just like me, you have the utmost interest in the Ecological Engineering theme, then the best story without a doubt is Guardians. Another intelligent and intense story is the last one, Manna from Heaven. However, if, like me, you're not overly enthusiastic about Tuf's personal style, especially his sarcasm, then the rest of the stories can be skimmed through. This is especially true for the first two.

These stories may not be particularly recommended, but they are still fun enough if you have a penchant for older SF shorts and, for some reason, can't seem to get enough from all the collections that are being allowed to go out of print simply because their authors aren't as famous. It's a bit of a pity that such interesting works might be overlooked due to the lack of fame of their creators. Nevertheless, they still hold a certain charm and value for those who are willing to explore the lesser-known corners of the SF genre.

Tuf Voyaging is a captivating collection of science fiction stories. Although not a major work of George R.R. Martin, it is sure to delight sf readers and perhaps even some die-hard fans of Game of Thrones.

The book is set in the distant future when humanity has colonized numerous star systems. The narrative follows the adventures of a space trader turned entrepreneurial ecological engineer as he travels to different planets to solve their most pressing problems. In the first story, \\"The Plague Star,\\" the protagonist acquires a massive and powerful starship that serves as the driving force for each subsequent story.

Clearly a fix-up novel of short stories mostly published in the 1980s, each chapter can more or less stand alone as a tale, giving the book an episodic and almost picaresque feel.

The central character, Haviland Tuf, provides much of the book's entertainment. He owes a great deal to Rex Stout's detective Nero Wolfe. Tuf is pompous, brilliant, disinclined to physical activity, formal, and often relies on the labor of others. Instead of orchids, he obsesses over cats.

Tuf's speech is delightfully humorous, especially when contrasted with the more straightforward characters around him. His lack of affect makes him a powerful negotiator and a perfect poker player, and it can also be quite comical at times.

Tuf is also a vegetarian, a theme that becomes prominent in one of the stories. In fact, Tuf Voyaging presents an unusual politics, with a combination of vegetarianism, opposition to animal cruelty, and support for birth control. However, Tuf is also a shameless entrepreneur who always manages to turn a profit.

The book's style is relatively basic, focusing mainly on dialog. There isn't much description or lyrical prose. However, the tone is ambitious, ranging from comedy to scientific discussion to horror to political scheming.

While the stories all follow a similar pattern and Tuf can seem a bit too invincible at times, Tuf Voyaging is still an entertaining read with some interesting political ideas. It is best enjoyed one story at a time rather than as a whole.