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A Small And Remarkable Life
John W. Campbell Memorial Award short-list, 2006 Hugo Award runner-up 2007
The much-anticipated first novel by Hugo and World Fantasy Award nominee Nick DiChario puts a spin on the story of being stranded on an alien planet, cut off from your own people, unsuited to your new environment, and physically different from everyone else. This is what the young alien Tink Puddah must face when his parents are killed on their first day on Earth in the year 1845, and Tink finds himself stranded in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.
A story of courage, determination, hope, and survival,
A Small and Remarkable Life chronicles the journey of two people headed in very different the alien Tink Puddah, a lonely outsider who finds the strength and resources within him to endure the most brutal and unforgiving conditions, and the holy man Jacob Piersol, determined to save Tink's soul, but tortured by his own past and the God who seems unable to console him.
Charming, literate, and thought-provoking, A Small and Remarkable Life is a wonderful debut novel from one of the field's best-loved short-story writers. Bonus Book Club discussion guide included.
The John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel of the Year is one of the world's most prestigious awards in all of science fiction, bestowed by a blue-ribbon panel of American and British academics and authors.
The much-anticipated first novel by Hugo and World Fantasy Award nominee Nick DiChario puts a spin on the story of being stranded on an alien planet, cut off from your own people, unsuited to your new environment, and physically different from everyone else. This is what the young alien Tink Puddah must face when his parents are killed on their first day on Earth in the year 1845, and Tink finds himself stranded in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.
A story of courage, determination, hope, and survival,
A Small and Remarkable Life chronicles the journey of two people headed in very different the alien Tink Puddah, a lonely outsider who finds the strength and resources within him to endure the most brutal and unforgiving conditions, and the holy man Jacob Piersol, determined to save Tink's soul, but tortured by his own past and the God who seems unable to console him.
Charming, literate, and thought-provoking, A Small and Remarkable Life is a wonderful debut novel from one of the field's best-loved short-story writers. Bonus Book Club discussion guide included.
The John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel of the Year is one of the world's most prestigious awards in all of science fiction, bestowed by a blue-ribbon panel of American and British academics and authors.
- GenresScience Fiction
Hardcover
First published August 1, 2006
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53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 16, 2009
The quote on the front cover claims A Small and Remarkable Life is "one of the most original first-contact novels ever," and I have to agree. Nick DiChario is primarily a short story writer, with this being his first novel, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I stuck it in my pile of books to borrow from the library last week. But when he comes enthusiastically recommended by sci-fi giants like Mike Resnick and Robert J Sawyer, I figured it couldn't hurt to take a look. Which, by the way, was a good decision on my part.
At the back of the book, there's a section of questions designed to be used as discussion fodder for a book club. This is that sort of book. It's eloquent, though-provoking, and an excellent start to all sorts of interesting conversations. Tink, being an permanent outsider, has a different view on people, their motivations and their desires. DiCharnio tackles some big issues here, seen through Tink's eyes: euthanasia, racism, life after death, and what it is that makes us human. At only 231 pages, this book is very short, but it packs a powerful punch.
Initially I thought the way the narration flips back and forth between time periods (from 1845, when Tink and his parents arrive on earth to the 1860s, when the book ends) would be distracting, but it had an easy flow to it and the two stories worked together nicely to build up to a pretty intense climax. The twist at the end fitted naturally, more of a satisfying "oh, of course!" moment than a "wait... whaaat?!?"
When it comes down to it, this is not just a book for fans of science fiction; this is a book for people who like to read, especially those who like to think about what they're reading.
At the back of the book, there's a section of questions designed to be used as discussion fodder for a book club. This is that sort of book. It's eloquent, though-provoking, and an excellent start to all sorts of interesting conversations. Tink, being an permanent outsider, has a different view on people, their motivations and their desires. DiCharnio tackles some big issues here, seen through Tink's eyes: euthanasia, racism, life after death, and what it is that makes us human. At only 231 pages, this book is very short, but it packs a powerful punch.
Initially I thought the way the narration flips back and forth between time periods (from 1845, when Tink and his parents arrive on earth to the 1860s, when the book ends) would be distracting, but it had an easy flow to it and the two stories worked together nicely to build up to a pretty intense climax. The twist at the end fitted naturally, more of a satisfying "oh, of course!" moment than a "wait... whaaat?!?"
When it comes down to it, this is not just a book for fans of science fiction; this is a book for people who like to read, especially those who like to think about what they're reading.
February 7, 2018
This lovely and brilliant little novel offers a compelling premise, can be read on many levels, and will leave the reader with much to think about and mull over for long afterward. It can certainly be considered science fiction, but readers who don’t like science fiction should not be put off by that classification. This is a novel for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking read that challenges the mind and the imagination. The characters are unforgettable, the plot twists surprising, and the conclusion both unexpected and utterly satisfying.
April 22, 2019
it's a strange little book but I enjoyed it.
April 10, 2014
I found this book slightly more accessible than DiChario's other novel in print, Valley of Day-Glo. This is a story of a man named Tink Puddah(rhymes with Buddha as Mr. DiChario points out on the last page finally. Tink is an alien to our planet, born here on the same day his pioneering parents died on this Earth they had come to visit. And so Tink, short and blue-skinned grows up surrounded by strange earth creatures and learns from them and of them. This is a remarkable tale full of delight and at times sadness. DiChario touches on life experience in the mid-nineteenth century in America as Tink tries to make sense of the world around him. This stranger in a strange land has little guidance from the humans who take him in but he strives to understand and become something above the mere flesh.
This is an astounding work and first rate. It transcends the Science Fiction genre much like Heinlein did with Time Enough for Love showing that space ships and gleaming control panels and flashing lights are not all this genre can offer us. An insight into life and our place here on Earth is also possible. Thank Nick DiChario for sharing your worlds with us.
This is an astounding work and first rate. It transcends the Science Fiction genre much like Heinlein did with Time Enough for Love showing that space ships and gleaming control panels and flashing lights are not all this genre can offer us. An insight into life and our place here on Earth is also possible. Thank Nick DiChario for sharing your worlds with us.
December 30, 2010
Brilliant. Tink Puddah is one of my favorite characters ever.
"Are your people savages?"
"What do you mean by savages?"
"Primitive. You don't believe in God. Why not? Aren't you familiar with the God of man, or with Jesus Christ? Is that it? You don't know about the resurrection?"
So being savage was disbelieving in God. Tink did not think this was exactly right. "I know about your belief. But there is no God."
The man drew back. Tink felt suddenly wicked. He shouldn't have said that, he knew it as soon as the words had passed his lips, but he had never discussed God with any man before.
"Are your people savages?"
"What do you mean by savages?"
"Primitive. You don't believe in God. Why not? Aren't you familiar with the God of man, or with Jesus Christ? Is that it? You don't know about the resurrection?"
So being savage was disbelieving in God. Tink did not think this was exactly right. "I know about your belief. But there is no God."
The man drew back. Tink felt suddenly wicked. He shouldn't have said that, he knew it as soon as the words had passed his lips, but he had never discussed God with any man before.
January 2, 2015
Caught an interview with the author at Aqua Books (a local used bookstore). He's an writer from Rochester, NY who was in town because his girlfriend (whom he met a sci-fi convention in Toronto) lives in Winnipeg :P
How could I not pick up one of his books to try!
It wasn't bad. The author's style was breezy and easy to read and the story was interesting enough.
I'd recommend it to folks who feel like a fairly original variation on first contact stories.
How could I not pick up one of his books to try!
It wasn't bad. The author's style was breezy and easy to read and the story was interesting enough.
I'd recommend it to folks who feel like a fairly original variation on first contact stories.
December 10, 2008
An unusual first contact story set in the 19th century Adirondacks. I found this interesting, but not fascinating; it didn’t blow me away. But if you’re looking for an atypical bit of sci-fi, this is worth picking up.
How’s that for a small and utterly unremarkable review?
How’s that for a small and utterly unremarkable review?
October 14, 2009
This was an unusual and wonderful story. It really touched me.
September 4, 2013
Strange little book, but an OK read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews