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Wolfling
Human Pet
To the High-born, the aristocracy of the Empire, with ten thousand decades of civilization behind them, Earthmen were mere "Wolfling," barely human curiosities. Jim Keil amused and intrigued them, so he was brought to the Throne World to perform - like any other trained animal - his simple tricks.
But perhaps the Empire had ruled too long and too comfortably. Jim Keil had sharp eyes for the sign of decay and inertia that pervaded the Throne World. The time would come when the High-born would learn that their pet had dangerous claws.
To the High-born, the aristocracy of the Empire, with ten thousand decades of civilization behind them, Earthmen were mere "Wolfling," barely human curiosities. Jim Keil amused and intrigued them, so he was brought to the Throne World to perform - like any other trained animal - his simple tricks.
But perhaps the Empire had ruled too long and too comfortably. Jim Keil had sharp eyes for the sign of decay and inertia that pervaded the Throne World. The time would come when the High-born would learn that their pet had dangerous claws.
157 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
11 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Gordon R. Dickson
589 books377 followersGordon Rupert Dickson was an American science fiction author. He was born in Canada, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota as a teenager. He is probably most famous for his Childe Cycle and the Dragon Knight series. He won three Hugo awards and one Nebula award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 19, 2017
DEAR GOODREADS REVIEWERS NAMED RANDAL AND ALL OTHER GOODREADS REVIEWERS AS WELL: Please do not label a book that features racist characters as a racist book. There is a fucking difference between the characters in a book and the book itself! The "High Born" of Throne World are expressly referred to as a decadent aristocracy - on the cover of the book for crissakes - whose control of an empire is on the verge of collapse. Recommending a book that features self-serving, genetically "pure" white imperials as being for "teenage racists" is so completely nonsensical that all I can do is laugh and then write this little rant. Teenage racists will surely be bitterly disappointed if they pick up this book based on Randal's recommendation! Perhaps the reviewer is attempting to lead teenage racists astray. Well I suppose that isn't such a bad thing now that I think about it. Okay Randal, you accidentally did a good thing there.
Anyway, the most interesting thing to me about Dickson's slim, trim, stripped-down scifi adventure is its basis in cultural anthropology. Our hero is so very, very careful in his assessment of the world he finds himself in. I enjoyed how deliberate he was when analyzing this looming threat to Earth, which made the force of his conclusions (when they finally do occur) particularly striking. Jim Keil's chilly intellect and his refusal to get emotional - even when questioned by doltish Earth officials during the overly long denouement - made him a fascinating protagonist. The author's portrait of an aristocracy destined for eventual failure was quite absorbing and I especially enjoyed its centralization of the anthropological term noyau as the key reason why the High Born will not rule for much longer. The word noyau is a label to delineate "a society of inward antagonism"... suitable for describing such things as the internecine intrigues of Rome's court before its fall, the structure of the reality game show The Apprentice, the current socio-political climate of the U.S. and many other countries, and the territorial behavior of most monkeys and perhaps primates in general.
Anyway, the most interesting thing to me about Dickson's slim, trim, stripped-down scifi adventure is its basis in cultural anthropology. Our hero is so very, very careful in his assessment of the world he finds himself in. I enjoyed how deliberate he was when analyzing this looming threat to Earth, which made the force of his conclusions (when they finally do occur) particularly striking. Jim Keil's chilly intellect and his refusal to get emotional - even when questioned by doltish Earth officials during the overly long denouement - made him a fascinating protagonist. The author's portrait of an aristocracy destined for eventual failure was quite absorbing and I especially enjoyed its centralization of the anthropological term noyau as the key reason why the High Born will not rule for much longer. The word noyau is a label to delineate "a society of inward antagonism"... suitable for describing such things as the internecine intrigues of Rome's court before its fall, the structure of the reality game show The Apprentice, the current socio-political climate of the U.S. and many other countries, and the territorial behavior of most monkeys and perhaps primates in general.
April 25, 2017
It was a great read. It's short, action-packed, & has an Earthman kicking ass despite all odds, a real blast from the past & quite politically incorrect. It starts out with bull fighting, a cultural art that gets our hero to the alien home world where the ruling caste, the High-Born, have genetically manipulated themselves into the fastest, smartest, tallest, & whitest of all people. They breed other races/versions of men into specific roles.
One of the best parts was the duel that read very much like a lightsaber duel, but it was written almost a decade before Star Wars came out.
I added this back when I first joined GR as a book I really liked, but it's been years since I read it. In the spirit of justifying my overflowing bookshelves, I thought I should go back & read some like this, a thin paperback that I probably bought new in 1969 for 50¢ according to the price marked on the cover. I'm so glad I kept it & will continue to do so.
One of the best parts was the duel that read very much like a lightsaber duel, but it was written almost a decade before Star Wars came out.
I added this back when I first joined GR as a book I really liked, but it's been years since I read it. In the spirit of justifying my overflowing bookshelves, I thought I should go back & read some like this, a thin paperback that I probably bought new in 1969 for 50¢ according to the price marked on the cover. I'm so glad I kept it & will continue to do so.
July 29, 2016
One of Miss D's favorite science fiction authors, Dickson is also the author of Miss D's favorite science fiction novel, The Right To Arm Bears. Wolfling is the story of Jim Keil, who is sent from Earth to the Throne World to observe the High-born and determine if Earthlings are indeed descendants of these advanced beings. He becomes involved in a plot against the High-born Emperor that may destroy both the Throne World and Earth. Dickson is rated 9th grade merely for reading level. There is no profanity or mature content of any kind in this book. If you love hard core science fiction, you will love Dickson.
April 25, 2013
Not expressly labeled as a young adult novel but in no way is it beyond the scope or range of such. The story is somewhat simple and straight forward, also containing a bit of mystery which is pretty predictable over all. The science fiction is more like a light glazing and requires this classification based on the setting of the novel more than the technology therein.
The book consists of a single protagonist who is sent on a mission to a far off planet to determine the cause of the residents' stark similarity to Earthly man. He is quickly caught up in the political intrigue and turbulence that is unfolding on the "Throne World" of an interstellar empire.
Jim, the protagonist, is entirely too confident and conveniently skilled and aware to ever really feel realistic. Reasons exist for his profound abilities and temperament, but again they fall into the same convenience as the rest of his makeup.
It is written well enough that a reader looking for a quick and short adventure without too much depth could and probably would enjoy it. There is a bit of repetitiveness in the way the author rolled from one sentence to another implying perhaps a lackluster editor or proofreader.
Not a great and memorable experience, but not bad by any real determinant factors. The characters carry the same attributes and while they were not devoid of development they were not memorable or even substantial.
Three stars for a YA level reader.
Two stars for anyone else who is just looking for something casual.
The book consists of a single protagonist who is sent on a mission to a far off planet to determine the cause of the residents' stark similarity to Earthly man. He is quickly caught up in the political intrigue and turbulence that is unfolding on the "Throne World" of an interstellar empire.
Jim, the protagonist, is entirely too confident and conveniently skilled and aware to ever really feel realistic. Reasons exist for his profound abilities and temperament, but again they fall into the same convenience as the rest of his makeup.
It is written well enough that a reader looking for a quick and short adventure without too much depth could and probably would enjoy it. There is a bit of repetitiveness in the way the author rolled from one sentence to another implying perhaps a lackluster editor or proofreader.
Not a great and memorable experience, but not bad by any real determinant factors. The characters carry the same attributes and while they were not devoid of development they were not memorable or even substantial.
Three stars for a YA level reader.
Two stars for anyone else who is just looking for something casual.
March 14, 2021
It's that annoyingly Holmesian style of story where Jim Kiel Super Anthropologist and Polymath (and bullfighter) is miles beyond the other characters and the readers. Super Anthropologist, of course, shares very little of what he learns until the great big court showdown scene at the very end, where like Perry Mason he trots out his supporting evidence in the most dramatic way possible.
The Jones cover says something something sword and planet something barbarian, but the actual contents is political intriguing in a Galactic Empire and various sleuthing. The underlying situation of relatively vulnerable Earth "rediscovered" by the empire and the delicate investigation and operations is interesting, but David Brin took it to better depths with the Uplift series.
The Jones cover says something something sword and planet something barbarian, but the actual contents is political intriguing in a Galactic Empire and various sleuthing. The underlying situation of relatively vulnerable Earth "rediscovered" by the empire and the delicate investigation and operations is interesting, but David Brin took it to better depths with the Uplift series.
January 20, 2019
Read for #VintageSciFiMonth 2019!
An excellent story which had me turning pages while still being a bit bothered by the biases I felt coming from the author.
An excellent story which had me turning pages while still being a bit bothered by the biases I felt coming from the author.
December 14, 2023
Again, despite theoretically not being a fan of Dickson's work, I've ended up reading and enjoying another of his books. Maybe I should reconsider my thoughts on him in general. This particular copy was rereleased as part of the late 70s Star Wars publishing goldrush, but it's originally from a decade earlier. I can see why they picked it, though, because it fits very well into the space opera mold. The characters are stock and flat, but in that operatic way that feels so forgivable. The pacing is what really counts for this type of story and in that I was not disappointed.
March 6, 2023
This is a book that when you put it down upon finishing you think aloud, "Well, that was worse than I expected."
The story is composed of a firmly misunderstood reading of Nietzsche married to a standard "Earthling gets the girl and outwits the aliens" plot dear to anyone who reads Golden Age SciFi, and it just radiates smugness with a carcinogenic intensity. The advantage of this kind of book is that it doesn't have to make sense, it just has to arrive where it's going and then the author washes away any questions with character exposition as backfill. How loosely is this plot constructed? Let's just say that a degree in Anthropology will get you past any plot obstacle according to Dickson. How did I know there was a bomb in that camp? Anthropology. How did I know that there was a plot to subvert the empire? Anthropology. How did I know who I could trust? Anthropology. How did I know I would be absolved of treason? Anthropology. How did I save Earth? Anthropology. How can I predict the future of the Empire? Anthropology.
What a load of... anthropology.
Anyhow. There is nothing absolutely wrong about this novel, if you can stomach medium levels of mid-20th century racism extrapolated across the galaxy. Why racist? Well des Übermenschen are seven-foot-tall super inbred lemon blonds who are just great at everything and own the rest of humanity. As in literally own any darker skinned people and shun members of their own family should they not be white skinned, lemon eyed, and lemon blond. Ah the 1968 moment, right before writing a Campbell-esque space opera stopped being publishable.
The story is composed of a firmly misunderstood reading of Nietzsche married to a standard "Earthling gets the girl and outwits the aliens" plot dear to anyone who reads Golden Age SciFi, and it just radiates smugness with a carcinogenic intensity. The advantage of this kind of book is that it doesn't have to make sense, it just has to arrive where it's going and then the author washes away any questions with character exposition as backfill. How loosely is this plot constructed? Let's just say that a degree in Anthropology will get you past any plot obstacle according to Dickson. How did I know there was a bomb in that camp? Anthropology. How did I know that there was a plot to subvert the empire? Anthropology. How did I know who I could trust? Anthropology. How did I know I would be absolved of treason? Anthropology. How did I save Earth? Anthropology. How can I predict the future of the Empire? Anthropology.
What a load of... anthropology.
Anyhow. There is nothing absolutely wrong about this novel, if you can stomach medium levels of mid-20th century racism extrapolated across the galaxy. Why racist? Well des Übermenschen are seven-foot-tall super inbred lemon blonds who are just great at everything and own the rest of humanity. As in literally own any darker skinned people and shun members of their own family should they not be white skinned, lemon eyed, and lemon blond. Ah the 1968 moment, right before writing a Campbell-esque space opera stopped being publishable.
August 29, 2019
In a galactic empire where the ruling class is whiter than white, only a white guy can save us all.
I'm seeing some debate over whether this book is racist or not. When the key plot point is that a specific type of brown man obeys a specific type of white man in a way that that brown man, however skilled, would not do unless the white man were genetically superior, any subtleties of "what the author intended" are moot. One does not prove a lack of racism in one's plot by using slavery to reveal the plot twist.
The author may have been trying to achieve something else with his book, but the assumptions in his book are not egaltarian with regards to race by any stretch of the imagination.
This is another one of those books where the character takes a high-handed view of justice, and the plot revolves around the reader being "surprised" when the main character doesn't give all the information and jerks the reader around as much as they jerk around the other characters in the book. ONE round of this wasn't enough--the author needed three of them to get his point across. Our hero is the fantasy that the reader is better, stronger, faster, and better-looking than everyone else, which is why he has no need to be accountable to anyone, neener neener. Add one femme fatale and one "born sexy yesterday," and bleah. Never mind.
Not recommended, except for readers of historical SF. This didn't hold up well.
I'm seeing some debate over whether this book is racist or not. When the key plot point is that a specific type of brown man obeys a specific type of white man in a way that that brown man, however skilled, would not do unless the white man were genetically superior, any subtleties of "what the author intended" are moot. One does not prove a lack of racism in one's plot by using slavery to reveal the plot twist.
The author may have been trying to achieve something else with his book, but the assumptions in his book are not egaltarian with regards to race by any stretch of the imagination.
This is another one of those books where the character takes a high-handed view of justice, and the plot revolves around the reader being "surprised" when the main character doesn't give all the information and jerks the reader around as much as they jerk around the other characters in the book. ONE round of this wasn't enough--the author needed three of them to get his point across. Our hero is the fantasy that the reader is better, stronger, faster, and better-looking than everyone else, which is why he has no need to be accountable to anyone, neener neener. Add one femme fatale and one "born sexy yesterday," and bleah. Never mind.
Not recommended, except for readers of historical SF. This didn't hold up well.
February 21, 2016
Pretty standard man / superman sci-fi novel. Frighteningly racist (tall, powerful, extra-white people are genetically superior to short, weak-minded, dark-skinned people) and primarily memorable as the first mention of lightsabers. No, not by name, but the High-born (yup actual name of uberrace) wield rods that when activated emit an energy beam from one end that are used like swords.
Despite the cover image on the Dell paperback (not shown as an option on Goodreads) with the woman in a skimpy cloud bikini, there is about zero point zero one percent sex in the book (High-born women wear diaphanous stuff, but from armpit to ankle, not the Princess Leia slave costume on the cover). There is a loyal love interest, but she's from the Wholesome Mom-in-waiting school, not the James Bond Girl school of '60s female stereotypes.
In the last 10-15 pages, the hero has to explain what happened, which is never a sign that the author did a good job in the first 150, but it's a zippy enough little story if you ignore the whole Aryan Brotherhood angle ...
It's barely worth two stars (one star if it was longer) ... I almost gave it a third because, having grown up on sci-fi written at about the same time, it feels like science fiction should. But when I sat down to write who I would recommend it to, I had to put down "teenage racists," which cost it the bonus point.
Despite the cover image on the Dell paperback (not shown as an option on Goodreads) with the woman in a skimpy cloud bikini, there is about zero point zero one percent sex in the book (High-born women wear diaphanous stuff, but from armpit to ankle, not the Princess Leia slave costume on the cover). There is a loyal love interest, but she's from the Wholesome Mom-in-waiting school, not the James Bond Girl school of '60s female stereotypes.
In the last 10-15 pages, the hero has to explain what happened, which is never a sign that the author did a good job in the first 150, but it's a zippy enough little story if you ignore the whole Aryan Brotherhood angle ...
It's barely worth two stars (one star if it was longer) ... I almost gave it a third because, having grown up on sci-fi written at about the same time, it feels like science fiction should. But when I sat down to write who I would recommend it to, I had to put down "teenage racists," which cost it the bonus point.
May 4, 2022
I liked it but did not quite understand the ending. It created more questions than answers. I can imagine it being ahead of its time and I also read that this book may be where G. Lucas got the inspiration for the famous Light Sabers of Star Wars.
It was good to revisit my teen/early adult years by reading this book again.
It was good to revisit my teen/early adult years by reading this book again.
March 24, 2009
What if we were merely a forgotten colony of a larger advanced human civilization? This short book races you through the story as an Earth wolfling is the first invited to visit civilization, sent by Earth to observe.
January 17, 2023
Exceptional
I read this book as a teenager along time ago. I didn’t reread it just now in one day couldn’t put it down. This is a very good narrative space opera I recommended highly.
I read this book as a teenager along time ago. I didn’t reread it just now in one day couldn’t put it down. This is a very good narrative space opera I recommended highly.
March 6, 2008
G rated--
Meh.
Meh.
November 29, 2023
Jim Keil is a human in almost perfect physical health, who has been trained to be a bullfighter, in the hopes of attracting the attention of visiting High Born from the Throne World, a planet of superior human stock. His mission was simply to gather information about human origins - to decide whether Earth was settled by Throne World millennia ago, or whether Earth is an independent branch of humanity. Jim is duly selected and discovers that the High Born are much more advanced than Earth humans, in that they can manipulate space much like teleportation, and discern intentions of lower humans. To the High Born, Jim is a wolfling, raised by wild animals in essence, but it is that untamed wildness that allows Jim to inveigle himself with the ruler Oran. What Jim finally discovers however, is that no matter how advanced humans become they can still be jealous and plot the downfall of others. Drawn into the palace intrigue Jim ends up fleeing back to Earth where he is going to be tried for treason! Gordon R. Dickson’s novel is a quick but fairly uninteresting read. He’s done much better work.
May 29, 2023
3.317 stars, I liked it and may read again.
Wolfling is set in a near-future where Earth encounters alien life, very much like themselves. The question becomes, was there a connection. This alien society occupied a large fraction of the galaxy and was enormously advanced technologically and genetically from humanity.
So far advanced is the environment, it is indistinguishable from magic, though it has technological trappings. In presenting technology that is super-advanced, in order to be interesting and believable, the author is challenged to provide a framework that is consistent and complex. Moreover, there have to be nods to known reality to provide a connection as well. While not high on the complexity scale, Dickson succeeds well enough with consistency and connection, and so builds a good background for his story.
Jim, the protoganist, is selected to infiltrate the alien society, but is not trusted by Earth. It is fast paced, but not deep.
Wolfling is set in a near-future where Earth encounters alien life, very much like themselves. The question becomes, was there a connection. This alien society occupied a large fraction of the galaxy and was enormously advanced technologically and genetically from humanity.
So far advanced is the environment, it is indistinguishable from magic, though it has technological trappings. In presenting technology that is super-advanced, in order to be interesting and believable, the author is challenged to provide a framework that is consistent and complex. Moreover, there have to be nods to known reality to provide a connection as well. While not high on the complexity scale, Dickson succeeds well enough with consistency and connection, and so builds a good background for his story.
Jim, the protoganist, is selected to infiltrate the alien society, but is not trusted by Earth. It is fast paced, but not deep.
October 9, 2024
More like 3 1/2 stars but rounding up to balance the wokestapo who give this a 'racism' smackdown. Seriously people, just because a book lacks a black lesbian doesn't make it full of 'ists'. Specially for a book from 1969. It was a decent read though the language was a bit stilted. I do appreciate the more fantasy-level SciFi of this book which allows it to retain a level of freshness (no dials and radio buttons like many older SctiFi). Its really more like a novella (150 pages) and it ends somewhat abruptly - though you can easily see how it could have continued. I appreciate that too, over some modern novels where there's pages of fluff that you skim over and which add no value. In this case you wish he would have expanded further on some areas. Yes some of the characters and skills are unrealistic ... SciFi novel... but I found it enjoyable.
May 11, 2019
3.5 stars.
This novel reminded me of Keith Laumer's "Ultimax Man," except not played for laughs. The style of writing seems to be showing its age but still manages to maintain the reader's interest.
The protagonist is a closed-book, despite seeming to have the answer to any situation. This is perhaps the book's greatest weakness. We get no sense of vulnerability from the main character and thus the sense of danger and risk is lessened.
I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy classic Sci-Fi. If you're more into the modern cinematic style, then you might be better off avoiding this one.
This novel reminded me of Keith Laumer's "Ultimax Man," except not played for laughs. The style of writing seems to be showing its age but still manages to maintain the reader's interest.
The protagonist is a closed-book, despite seeming to have the answer to any situation. This is perhaps the book's greatest weakness. We get no sense of vulnerability from the main character and thus the sense of danger and risk is lessened.
I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy classic Sci-Fi. If you're more into the modern cinematic style, then you might be better off avoiding this one.
Read
October 23, 2025**OWN THIS RARE, UNREAD, 28-YEAR-OLD COLLECTIBLE: 'Wolfling,' by Gordon R. Dickson (c1980 New Dell Edition). Human Pet. To The High-Born, The Aristocray Of The Empire, With 10,000 Decades Of Civilization Behind Them, Earthmen Were Mere 'Wolflings,' Human Curiosities. Jim Keil Amused And Intrigued Them, So He Was Brought To The Throne World To Perform, Like a Trained Animal, His Simple Tricks. But The Empire Had Ruled Too Long And Too Comfortably. Jim Keil Had Sharp Eyes For The Signs Of Decay And Inertia That Pervaded The Throne World. The Time Would Come When The High-Born Would Learn That Their Pet Had Dangerous Claws.
November 25, 2020
First published in 1969, 'Wolfling' is a SF novel set against the background of a huge space empire of around 4 million worlds of which Earth is a minor part, and follows Jim Keil of Earth as he makes a journey to the planet from which the empire is ruled. Classic space opera stuff, written by one of the better writers with a fast paced plot which means that you will probably finish the novel very quickly as I did. Characterisations are a little thin it has to be said, but the novel is great fun nevertheless.
January 16, 2023
I loved this book. I’m not usually a science fiction reader but felt this wasn’t too science fiction that I couldn’t get it. I liked the worlds, especially seeing what the author thought the future would look like for Earth. There were bits that seemed like they needed a little more explanation, but I was able to follow and keep with the story.
I’d be interested to see if I like any other of Dickson’s works.
I’d be interested to see if I like any other of Dickson’s works.
July 5, 2017
I read this story in college when I found issues of Analog in a used bookstore in town. Loved the story then, and still love it now. An excellent story, and one to inspire hope in us all. Highly recommended.
June 2, 2023
Decent novel with a pre-Star Wars idea of lightsabers, except here it's like waving around a cat-o-nine tails infused with lightning, lots of sparks everywhere, really sells the fear angle of the weapon. Some notes written in Documents.
July 27, 2017
Fun space opera, US patriotic 1960s wish fulfillment, but still enjoyable
August 21, 2017
Great story of the underdog gladiator trying to triumph over the ruling class. A sci-fi Spartacus.
February 2, 2020
Great old school science fiction. Rich story.
May 23, 2020
Very different view of human and alien relations. A pretty good read, even by today's standards. I think I first read this in junior high. I liked it as much then as I did now.
June 19, 2020
Uber men, Hah!
Can one man make a difference? We desperately hope that is true. This earth man can and does! A great read!
Can one man make a difference? We desperately hope that is true. This earth man can and does! A great read!
November 13, 2025
RECOMMENDED
December 30, 2024
More than half a century later this book is hated by the lowborn. When Galyan asked Jim what his people wanted. Jim replied: freedom. Freedom. Modern lowborn does`nt want freedom. Does`nt want responsibility. Does not want to be giants. They are content. Thinking about themselfs good people. They hate highborn ideals and wealth. Deep down they know they are mediocre. In life they sell themselfs becoming slaves. In the 1960s Dickson hero was fighting Highborn. Fighting for freedom. Just a simple story about Moses who fought for his people against Highborn Egiptians. Nothing new but so powerfull. Half century later even science fiction literature cannot see who our oponents are.
Thats why i loved this book.
Thats why i loved this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews