I picked this up by chance a few years back and finally got around to reading this and am glad that I did.

It was truly a serendipitous find. At that time, I had no idea what a wonderful reading experience awaited me.

The book is made up of several short stories centred around cat-loving Haviland Tuf and his adventures on board an ecological engineering vessel.

Haviland Tuf is an extremely captivating character. His love for cats adds a unique charm to his personality. The stories take us on a thrilling journey as he navigates through various situations on the vessel.

The stories in question address and challenge a variety of issues, whether they be political, religious or social issues, in a fresh and interesting way, fronted by one of the most fascinating characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about.

Each story presents a different perspective on these complex issues, making the reader think deeply. The author’s writing style is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking read.

One of the most remarkable characters to emerge from GRRM's brilliant mind is Haviland Tuf. He is a space trader who, by a stroke of fate, comes into possession of a thousand-year-old, 30-kilometer-long spaceship. This extraordinary vessel endows him with god-like powers such as terraforming, military might, cloning, and genetic engineering.

Most individuals would be corrupted by such vast power. However, Tuf is far from the typical greedy, power-hungry, and sleazy space trading smuggler with a big, witty mouth.

We are dealing with a tall (approximately 2.5 meters), pale, lethargic, fat, bald, albino man. He speaks in a verbose manner, similar to a posh Englishman or Christie's Hercule Poirot. Socially awkward, he is an eco-friendly atheist, a pacifist, and a vegetarian who loves eating mushrooms and adores animals, especially cats. Morally, he is very lawful good.

He travels around with his super-powerful spaceship, helping people out for just the cost of repairs to his own ship. Yet, he is absolutely flabbergasted that everyone he meets treats him with innate mistrust, hostility, suspicion, threatening him, trying to rid him of his cats or his ship, and attempting to cheat him.

Despite this, he always gives everyone, even those who are obviously antagonistic, the benefit of the doubt and forgiveness upon forgiveness.

"There is no trust left in humanity."

Funny, charming, warm, quirky, and amiable, Haviland Tuf is a delight to read about on a surface level. Beyond that, there are deeper layers of eco-friendly messages and symbolism regarding greed and justice, and who should hold power. In a philosophical sense, it almost parallels Plato's "Republic" and draws upon Thomas R. Malthus' ideas in political economy and demography regarding abundance and overpopulation.

"It is a darkly comic meditation on environmentalism and absolute power."

Through a series of rather peculiar circumstances, Haviland Tuf, a space trader with a deep love for cats, discovers that he is in possession of the universe's very last functional seedship. This remarkable vessel holds within it the potential for both catastrophic and miraculous events. And as Tuf embarks on his voyages, accompanied by his feline companions, he eventually finds occasions to employ the various capabilities of the seedship. These voyages take him and his cats all across the known universe.

This novel, one of George R.R. Martin's earlier works, is essentially composed of seven stories. Each of these stories has the potential to stand alone, yet they work best when read together as a cohesive whole. It is an immensely entertaining read, filled with captivating adventures and thought-provoking concepts. I must admit, however, that I found myself enjoying the first half of the novel somewhat more than the second. Nevertheless, it is a truly engaging and enjoyable piece of science fiction literature.

Tuf Voyaging was truly one of the coolest books I've read in a long time.

It is a collection of short stories, all centered around Haviland Tuf. The stories seamlessly flow and build upon each other, creating the impression of a pseudo novel.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this collection is that every single story is not only fascinating but also has a highly satisfying end. Moreover, it is the character of Tuf himself that steals the show.

It is extremely rare to read a single line of his dialogue and not find oneself smiling throughout. Tuf masterfully employs a strict balance of morality and superior intellect to talk his way out of any situation.

Although I was initially hesitant to read anything else from Martin, given the sheer awesomeness of his Song of Ice and Fire series, Tuf Voyaging did not disappoint in the slightest.

It is a solid piece of science fiction that also happens to be one of the funniest and most entertaining books I've read in a very long while. Haviland Tuf has firmly established himself as one of my all-time favorite literary characters.

As the title indicates, Tuf Voyaging compiles numerous voyages of a man named Haviland Tuf, presented in seven short stories. Except for the earliest one, they were all published in Analog Science Fiction and Fact.

In the initial story, Tuf acquires the Ark, a so-called seedship that provides him with the technological means for extensive cloning and genetic manipulation. The ship endows him with enormous, nearly absolute, power, which Tuf uses to assist those in need (while also making a profit). The issues he encounters often have an environmentalist nature and involve interventions in fragile ecosystems, both human and non-human, with often distressing consequences. Many of the stories also have religious aspects.

The ideas aren't exactly mind-blowing or even very original, but it's extremely easy to read and often highly entertaining. This is not least due to Haviland Tuf, who makes for a great protagonist and a very recognizable character. He's indeed an odd one. He's huge (2.5m, if I recall correctly) and completely hairless. Cats are his most beloved creatures. He's a vegetarian and loves all things mushroom. He detests being touched by strangers. Initially, he's a trader, but inspired by his attempts to clone his cat, he begins to consider himself an ecological engineer. He uses his ship's technology to help people, at least when they can afford his services.

Many of his idiosyncrasies are very amusing. For instance, he tends to take others ironically seriously. He's also very peculiar when it comes to language, like pointing out subtle differences and inaccuracies in other people's speech (such as "armada" instead of "army") or noticing how strange some words are (like "crux" or "inkling"). He's also a master of disguise, or at least he thinks so.

If you enjoy the writing style of Iain Banks or the general atmosphere of The Expanse, I'm certain you'll find a lot to like about these stories. In its subject matter, it's very similar to Hard to Be a God by the Strugatsky Brothers. Be that as it may, sometimes we're looking for something familiar and entertaining, and for those times, this book is a great choice.

The Plague Star (1985)

The first story of the collection, and easily my favorite, is essentially a Battle Royale scenario. The participants are Haviland Tuf, Kaj Nevis (the leader of the expedition and later armed with a powerful mecha suit), Jefri Lion (a retired soldier who now works as a research assistant), Rica Dawnstar (a mercenary bodyguard), and Anittas (a cyborg or cybertech). The trip was suggested by Celise Waan, an anthropologist who, in her research, came across the strange "plague star". She, too, is part of the crew.

I really liked how the story was preceded by the Prologue. We learn that a strange disease haunts some planet (whose name I forgot and in a time frame I can't remember either). Celise Waan found that report and hypothesized that the star that brings the plague must actually be a spaceship. In fact, it turns out to be a so-called seedship of the Federal Empire, a very advanced human civilization long since gone. The ship belonged to their Ecological Engineering Corps and was used for biological warfare. The enormous ship has long been abandoned, and for obvious reasons, it's extremely valuable.

As they approach the Ark (as the seedship turns out to be called), its automated defense system is activated, and it severely damages Tuf's ship. This is when the deathmatch begins. Kaj Nevis commands Rica and Anittas to join him towards the Ark, while the rest of the group is presumably left to die on Tuf's ship. However, of course, they also find a way to the Ark, where there is more fragmentation of the groups, until eventually, it's pretty much every man (and woman) for himself (herself).

The character of Celise Waan isn't exactly original, but Martin still manages to make you hate her guts. With all her talk of inconveniences and what she deserves, you really want her to die, soon and painfully. And even more so when she sends out the poor little cat to its death. Tuf has to give it the coup de grâce himself. This is the moment when Tuf decides to go on his own, too.

I loved the scene when Anittas connects to the system. Neuromancer came out only one year earlier, so Martin may have been inspired by that, but I liked how here already there is the idea of gaining so much power as to basically turn into a god, a topic revisited many times throughout the other stories.

There is also an element of horror that I liked a lot. As it turns out, the ship holds numerous monsters, and as a final act of revenge (before his biological component dies), Annitas releases the beasts to roam freely on the ship. It's not exactly that from Jurassic Park (which was released only five years later), but I still liked the part with the T. rex. Some of the other monsters also reappear in later stories.

Meanwhile, Tuf familiarizes himself with the ship's cloning mechanisms. He uses the advanced technology to bring his cat back to life. I was a bit disappointed that the technology simply shines as the magic bullet, without Tuf having any sort of moral qualms about the idea of bringing back his cat.

Notwithstanding, I still liked the story very much. Not the least because of how terrifying the idea of diseases and cloning as part of war strategy really is. Certainly a great setup for the stories to come.

Loaves and Fishes (1985)

This is the story about the dangers of overpopulation and how genetic engineering may contribute to solving (or at least alleviating) the issues.

Tuf arrives at the Port of S'uthlam, where he wants to make refurbishments and repairs to his newly acquired ship. However, unbeknownst to him, his arrival stirs the gridlocked negotiations in the political crisis that the planet is currently, and mostly secretly, experiencing. As Tuf is able to reveal, the S'uthlamese are going through a population explosion, mainly due to the religious beliefs preached by the Church of Life Evolving, according to which human reproduction will lead to a world of gods. Signs to the contrary are already visible. Through malnutrition, the S'uthlamese are unusually small and thin (compared to other human populations), and the poorest are already turning to cannibalism. In just over 20 years, famine and war threaten.

This is probably the story that most clearly aims to hold up a mirror to the real world, and I liked the story for that. More importantly, I very much enjoyed the conversations between Turf and Portmaster Tolly Mune, who is tasked with convincing Turf to sell his ship (as otherwise, the political leaders see themselves forced to acquire it by violent means).

Guardians (1981)

In this story, Tuf agrees to help the people of Namor, a planet mostly composed of water. They face expulsion from their planet because of a vastly superior attacker. Actually, this opponent seems to be part of Namor's own fauna (rather than an external force), though hitherto completely unknown. What's more, the attacker doesn't only strike in the water (with tentacle monsters), but also in the air (through the "Fire-Balloons") and on the ground (through the "Walkers").

I think you could say that the core idea of this story is to find an explanation that accounts for many diverse and surprising facts. Where do they come from so suddenly, and can it really be a coincidence that they appear all at the same time? Why don't they fight against each other?

The story is very passive, as most of what happens is told by Turf watching video recordings. There were two things that I really liked, though. The pressures of finding a timely solution in the face of extinction, and the eventual resolution of the overall mystery. The theory may not be exactly obvious, as otherwise, Tuf would have come up with it earlier, but it does account for the strange phenomena that occurred in recent times.

Ideas about what it means to be intelligent and conscious, hive minds, telepathy, and the manipulation of the mind were exciting enough to make this worth a read. Oh, and this also marks the first use of the psi powers of cats, a deus ex machina that Martin uses numerous times in the stories to come.

Second Helpings (1985)

This is more or less a direct continuation of "Loaves and Fishes". As announced earlier, Tuf returns to S'uthlam (from which he had to flee earlier) to pay his debt (or the first half of it) for the repairs of his ship five years earlier. This time, the story revolves around the side-effects that his earlier interventions in the planet's ecosystem had.

Soon after his return, Turf realizes that he has become something of a celebrity among the S'uthlamese. This is due to a popular movie adaptation of his earlier visit, a tale that depicts how he initiated an era of prosperity, Tuf's Flowering, among taking other freedoms of artistic expression. Paradoxically, the dangers of famine are even more imminent now, as the people (ignorant of the dangers) have gained a very optimistic outlook on their future.

Tuf is forced to again tinker with the planet's ecosystem. The unpleasant truth is that variety in their cultivations is a luxury they can no longer afford, and that even following this strict regime, they will end up with a famine in a century's time (not to mention the unpleasant yet inevitable changes to their hitherto beautiful environment), unless they also change their beliefs about reproduction.

I really liked this theme of side-effects as well as dictating (or recommending) necessary changes to another culture's beliefs. There is also the idea of whether there should be a right to force them to change their ways, which I thought was a very interesting form of paternalism. Certainly among the best stories of the collection.

A Beast for Norn (1976)

In the oldest story of the collection, Tuf is confronted with the futuristic version of cockfights, a custom he obviously doesn't approve of. At the beginning of the story, Tuf is approached by Herold Norn, who represents the Norn House of Lyronica. This House is the lowest-ranking participant in the bestial battles of the Bronze Arena. In order to improve their standing, he tries to convince Tuf to sell him a more competitive beast.

This was an amusing little story. While the outcome may be predictable, I thought it was a very well-written and thought-out plot. Naturally, Tuf starts to sell monsters to other parties too, and at a considerably increased price. Eventually, no one gained anything - with the exception of Tuf. In order to end this vicious circle, the most powerful House shoots the bolt by paying Tuf money to no longer offer any trades. As it turns out, due to environmental factors, their expensive purchases are soon worthless. Brilliant.

Call Him Moses (1978)

Possession of the seedship almost gives Tuf absolute power, so it was to be expected that there would be a story that focuses entirely on religious themes. This is the one.

The story opens with Tuf being in a bar and enjoying his mushroom wine with Dax on his lap. Out of the blue, he is attacked by a man (Jaime Kreen). He is able to defend himself, not least because of his cat's telepathic abilities, breaks both arms of his attacker, and eventually acquires him as a slave. This arrangement is to remain in place until Kreen is able to repay his debt (bail, damages to Tuf's clothes and the bar, the wine, the troubles he caused). He offers the man to repay his debt by answering questions. As it turns out, Tuf is held responsible for the enslavement not just of himself, but of his whole people.

Kreen comes from the planet Charity. In recent events, a man named Moses led a religious movement to gain control of the planet. His people were the original settlers on the planet. For religious reasons, they decided to give up their technology-oriented life and turn to nature. Other people came and built the City of Hope, and even among the original settlers, many turned to the conveniences it promised. Moses and his people were not happy about that.

He stages himself as a prophet and orchestrates the Ten Plagues familiar from the biblical tales. So, the people of Hope soon find their water turned to blood, plagues of frogs, lice, flies, locusts, and eventual darkness (he skipped the pestilence of livestock, boils, thunderstorm, and death of the firstborn).

Obviously, this form of biowarfare looks a lot as if it's supported by Tuf. He's innocent this time and even offers his help in the matter (for the "cost price", of course). He emerges as God himself (or at least a god more powerful than what most peoples in history came up with) and demonstrates to Moses what really devastating plagues look like, first for real and later only as deterring simulations.

To be honest, I felt the story was a bit lazy. The necessities to develop the core of the story, the demonstration of power in the form of plagues, were already in place before the story even began, and the theme is already familiar from this little book of Christian dogma. I did enjoy the interactions between Tuf and Kreen, though. Tuf is ruthless in charging Kreen for everything he consumes during his stay on the Ark. So, while he works on his debt by doing small jobs throughout the day, he has the running expenses for food, air, shelter, and even the use of the toilet (including information on where the toilet is). It's silly, but it's fun.

Manna from Heaven (1985)

I have to say that this was my least favorite story in the collection. Not because it's bad, but because it's very similar to the fourth story. Again, Tuf travels to S'uthlam, and again he is confronted with problems very similar to his two earlier stays on that planet. There is a war now, but I have to admit I didn't really care much about that. The outcome was also very predictable. From a moral point of view, the extreme form of paternalism and Tuf's firm stance on the issue are interesting (approaching the problem as a god, as he says), but I felt I had read this before. I don't think I would have missed much if I had skipped this story.

Rating: 3.5/5

Tuf Voyaging is an outstanding collection that consists of seven interconnected science fiction stories.

Most of these stories were initially published in the renowned hard-sf periodical Analog. Each story within this collection is of remarkable quality, and when combined, they create a volume that truly lives up to the proverbial saying of being greater than the sum of its parts. It follows in the footsteps of other classic sf fix-ups such as Asimov's Foundation.

These stories were penned long before Martin became a household name with his famous proclamation that winter is coming. However, they possess the same kind of intricate and detailed world view.

Tuf, the central character, is a classic genre character in the tradition of Poul Anderson's Nicholas van Rijn, Hubbard's Methuselah, or Leinster's Calhoun. He adds a unique charm and depth to the overall narrative, making Tuf Voyaging a must-read for any science fiction enthusiast.

With its engaging stories, complex world-building, and memorable characters, Tuf Voyaging stands as a testament to Martin's early talent and creativity in the science fiction genre.

Connected short stories that vividly illustrate an important theme: don't mess with the circle of life.

THE PLAGUE STAR: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It offers cinematic glimpses similar to those in Pitch Black, Alien, and Jurassic Park. The story takes the readers on a thrilling journey through a world where the balance of life is severely disrupted.

LOAVES AND FISHES: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here, Tuf teaches an inconvenient truth. He shows how interfering with the natural order can lead to unforeseen consequences.

GUARDIANS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tuf's Green Peace mission in space is an interesting concept. It highlights the importance of protecting the environment and maintaining the circle of life even in the vastness of space.

SECOND HELPINGS: ⭐⭐⭐
Tuf unknowingly devolves into an alluring video star. This unexpected turn of events adds an element of mystery and excitement to the story.

A BEAST FOR NORN: ⭐⭐⭐
Tuf engineers monsters for the battle arena. But are we really entertained by such actions? This story makes us question our own desires and the impact they have on the circle of life.

CALL HIM MOSES: ⭐⭐
Tuf busts a false prophet and shouts "Let my people go!". This story emphasizes the importance of truth and justice in maintaining the circle of life.

MANNA FROM HEAVEN: ⭐⭐
Tuf ruins the sex party by engineering an organic prophylactic. This humorous yet thought-provoking story shows how even the smallest actions can have a significant impact on the circle of life.

Ecology is still a subject that many science fiction works tend to avoid. However, Martin makes an attempt in this collection. Overall, it leans more towards a satirical piece rather than a scientifically precise one.

Nevertheless, I did have a great time reading this collection once again. The humor plays a part in it, but I also simply relished the writing. Despite presenting the stories out of chronological order, Martin manages to bring about a development in the character. From a humble and eccentric trader in The Plague Star to a near megalomaniac in Manna from the Heavens.

I have come across numerous reviews stating that there is no character development in Tuf. I politely disagree with this view. It is subtler compared to some of his other stories, but it is undoubtedly present. Another aspect I appreciate about Tuf Voyaging is that it emphasizes that Martin is just as proficient in writing short stories as he is in penning huge fantasy novels. Martin is a versatile writer, capable of producing more than just fantasy novels.

As much as I love A Song of Ice and Fire, I still believe that Martin's finest work lies in his short fiction, and Tuf is a prime example of that. Don't approach it as a novel and don't anticipate epic fantasy, and you might just end up enjoying what Martin has accomplished here.

Full Random Comments review

A magnificent collection of stories linked in the pulp style, with an unforgettable main character and plots that carry a very particular ecological message.

This collection stands out for its engaging and fast-paced narratives that draw the reader in from the very beginning.

The main character is vividly portrayed, with a unique personality and set of skills that make him or her truly memorable.

What sets these stories apart, however, is the strong ecological theme that runs throughout.

The author uses the plots to explore various environmental issues, such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change, in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

Readers will find themselves not only entertained by the exciting adventures but also inspired to take action and make a positive impact on the environment.

Overall, this collection is a must-read for fans of pulp fiction and anyone interested in environmentalism.

Nuostabi, įtraukianti, labai geros fantastikos knyga. It truly is an amazing, captivating, and very good fantasy book. The story within its pages takes the reader on a thrilling journey through a world filled with magic, adventure, and unforgettable characters.

Įdomu pamatyti, ką dar gali parašyti "Sostų karų" autorius. It is interesting to see what else the author of "Game of Thrones" can write. This author has already proven their talent with the highly successful "Game of Thrones" series, and this new book shows that they have even more creativity and imagination to share.

Tikrai nenusivyliau. I truly was not disappointed. From the very first page, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. The plot was engaging, the writing was excellent, and the world-building was top-notch. If you're a fan of fantasy, this book is definitely one that you should check out.

In the book, the philanthropic side of Martin was revealed. I liked it. I had never read anything similar in the covers of science fiction before :)

It was truly a refreshing discovery. The author did a great job of presenting this aspect of Martin's character in a way that was both engaging and believable.

The story not only entertained but also made me think about the power of philanthropy and how one person's actions can have a significant impact on the world.

I found myself completely immersed in the narrative, eager to see how Martin's philanthropic endeavors would unfold.

Overall, it was a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in science fiction or stories that explore the human spirit.

Haviland Tuf, my beloved.

He is a sassy and sneaky saviour of solar systems, a character who is far smarter than his initial appearance might suggest.

I truly relished this rollicking space opera, despite the fact that it was a bit preachy on occasion.

I would venture to say that this would offer you a taste of George R.R. Martin's work if you're not quite ready to commit to that epic fantasy series, especially since Tuf Voyaging stands alone.

Personally, I would be more than happy to read more about Tuf.

His adventures and his unique personality make for a captivating read, and I'm eager to see what other challenges and escapades he'll encounter in the future.

The world-building in this story is also quite impressive, with detailed descriptions of different planets and civilizations.

Overall, Tuf Voyaging is a fun and engaging space opera that I would recommend to fans of the genre.