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Farmer One
In an economically depressed and politically dysfunctional United States, the long-defunct National Aeronautics and Space Administration is reestablished in a desperate attempt to channel the patriotism and optimism of the previous century's Soviet Space Race. But this time, the nation to beat is China, and the goal is Mars.
Far behind steady advances in Chinese aerospace engineering and even lunar colonization, a team of American scientists, engineers, and astronauts struggles to integrate decades-old technologies, untested prototypes, and some very out-of-the-box thinking to give their nation a shot at one of the most important achievements in human history. Nothing goes as planned while pursuing what appears to be the impossible, but the ultimate surprise lies in the mission's conclusion.
This quirky and intelligent novella by Christian Cantrell is both humorous and unpredictable as it explores an unfamiliar, but not entirely unimaginable, post-superpower United States.
Far behind steady advances in Chinese aerospace engineering and even lunar colonization, a team of American scientists, engineers, and astronauts struggles to integrate decades-old technologies, untested prototypes, and some very out-of-the-box thinking to give their nation a shot at one of the most important achievements in human history. Nothing goes as planned while pursuing what appears to be the impossible, but the ultimate surprise lies in the mission's conclusion.
This quirky and intelligent novella by Christian Cantrell is both humorous and unpredictable as it explores an unfamiliar, but not entirely unimaginable, post-superpower United States.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2011
About the author
Christian Cantrell
16 books210 followersChristian Cantrell is a writer and software developer living in Northern Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 8, 2023
A fun short story with a twist or two that I didn’t see coming.
February 6, 2015
I finished reading Farmer One this morning, and I must say that it was a very good story.
The basic premise of the novella was the space race between the United States and China to the planet Mars. It takes place in the future. The story however follows Austin Lockwood - an employee of NASA, his pet fox named Farmer (who everyone keeps mistaking for a cat), and a Chinese girl who I got the feeling is the romantic interest of the main character.
While this story did start off a little slow in my opinion, it was not boring and held my attention until things picked up halfway through the first chapter. At this point, we started meeting some very interesting characters. These characters really added to the story, as all the characters especially when interacting with each other, were hilarious.
One thing I was not fond of this book was that when it came to the portion of the story which took place in space, the story was very much fast forwarded through until they were no longer in space. I am not sure if the author just was not comfortable writing about space travel or what, but I felt like I had missed a chapter while reading the story. As this is a novella I can excuse that, but it did not feel like something which should have been left out.
The book takes place in Houston, Texas. There are quite a few landmarks and nearby towns which are discussed. The author is apparently from Virginia? But while reading the book I could not help but to have the feeling that he may have lived in Houston at some point in his life. I grew up near Houston, and there are many small details that I would not have thought someone who was not from Houston or who had not lived in Houston would know about, much less think about including in a story.
Overall, I thought Farmer One was a great book. I wish that it had been fleshed out more, but being a short story it is expected that some details would be sacrificed. I think science fiction fans would enjoy this book, but I do not think that you would need to be interested in technology based stories to enjoy it.
The basic premise of the novella was the space race between the United States and China to the planet Mars. It takes place in the future. The story however follows Austin Lockwood - an employee of NASA, his pet fox named Farmer (who everyone keeps mistaking for a cat), and a Chinese girl who I got the feeling is the romantic interest of the main character.
While this story did start off a little slow in my opinion, it was not boring and held my attention until things picked up halfway through the first chapter. At this point, we started meeting some very interesting characters. These characters really added to the story, as all the characters especially when interacting with each other, were hilarious.
One thing I was not fond of this book was that when it came to the portion of the story which took place in space, the story was very much fast forwarded through until they were no longer in space. I am not sure if the author just was not comfortable writing about space travel or what, but I felt like I had missed a chapter while reading the story. As this is a novella I can excuse that, but it did not feel like something which should have been left out.
The book takes place in Houston, Texas. There are quite a few landmarks and nearby towns which are discussed. The author is apparently from Virginia? But while reading the book I could not help but to have the feeling that he may have lived in Houston at some point in his life. I grew up near Houston, and there are many small details that I would not have thought someone who was not from Houston or who had not lived in Houston would know about, much less think about including in a story.
Overall, I thought Farmer One was a great book. I wish that it had been fleshed out more, but being a short story it is expected that some details would be sacrificed. I think science fiction fans would enjoy this book, but I do not think that you would need to be interested in technology based stories to enjoy it.
March 14, 2013
This is my first Cantrell story and I like what I see. Each character is described vividly enough but other than one or two they tend to sound the same. The plot is basic, as expected given the short story format, but the world is as fleshed out as one could hope. The twist at the end was a nice surprise. I don't know enough about the science presented in the story but like any good science fiction it's enough to be believable. I'd love to read more of this world and see it expanded into a full length novel.
November 14, 2014
Another brilliant read that places Christian Cantrell at the top of my Author list for 2014.
Wow, never thought short stories could be so enthralling. The balance of witty humor, science fiction, surprise, and page turning enticement kept me intrigued to the end.
Not to point out the obvious, but clearly its difficult to fit character development, sensible plot progression, etc. into a short story, but wow is this pulled off well.
Can't wait for my next Cantrell installment.
BTW its a fox.
Wow, never thought short stories could be so enthralling. The balance of witty humor, science fiction, surprise, and page turning enticement kept me intrigued to the end.
Not to point out the obvious, but clearly its difficult to fit character development, sensible plot progression, etc. into a short story, but wow is this pulled off well.
Can't wait for my next Cantrell installment.
BTW its a fox.
November 7, 2011
This was a quick, slightly nerdy sci-fi that kept me interested with a few slightly odd characters and a rather different writing style.
I quickly found that what I expected to happen didn't happen, and while the world didn't seem like a particularly nice place in this story, the characters made do.
Well worth a read if you want a relatively quick and easy space travel oriented tale, with one super cute fox (Farmer).
Thanks Christian.
I quickly found that what I expected to happen didn't happen, and while the world didn't seem like a particularly nice place in this story, the characters made do.
Well worth a read if you want a relatively quick and easy space travel oriented tale, with one super cute fox (Farmer).
Thanks Christian.
January 4, 2012
This is an incredible short story featuring a handful of fun, quirky characters in a post-superpower America trying to race China to Mars. The narrative style of this book (not unlike the characters) had a certain whimsical charm that you wouldn't expect from a book that can best be described as dystopian. The only thing I didn't love about this was the length. I would really like to see more of this world and these characters in longer form.
January 5, 2014
Clever, witty and quick
this was a kindle deal that piqued my interest because of my love of space exploration. at first it was a little rough and hard to connect with but you start to get drawn towards the main character and his seemingly earnest demeanor. by the end you find yourself completely immersed (a hard thing for a short story) and laughing out loud at your own confusion. good quick and mischievous.
this was a kindle deal that piqued my interest because of my love of space exploration. at first it was a little rough and hard to connect with but you start to get drawn towards the main character and his seemingly earnest demeanor. by the end you find yourself completely immersed (a hard thing for a short story) and laughing out loud at your own confusion. good quick and mischievous.
May 2, 2012
I must admit. I bought to waste time today while waiting for my flight. I knew it wasashort story but oh how much I'd love to see the chonese sideof this inanother aide-story.
It's quick, clean and very entertaining. Cantrell continues to be n awesome writer[1]
[1]: except for the footnotes.
January 11, 2013
Reading a short story (a genre I generally avoid) by an author I never heard of was a risk, but it paid off. I enjoyed the story. It fit perfectly into being a short story (didn't belong as a longer story) and it was entertaining.
[read on my kindle app]
[read on my kindle app]
January 16, 2014
Fun short story.
This was an interesting take on the space race to get to Mars before the Chinese. I would have like to see a bit more as to why the US appears to be on the brink of collapse. Good fast read over all though.
This was an interesting take on the space race to get to Mars before the Chinese. I would have like to see a bit more as to why the US appears to be on the brink of collapse. Good fast read over all though.
August 14, 2012
Very witty and amusing. Loved the ending but no spoilers!
December 6, 2012
This is the third book that I have read from Cantrell and it did not disappoint me. I like his style. He will leave to wanting more.
February 16, 2015
space race redux
This is an incredible short story with a very interesting twist. I love the way the author details the environments and people in his books.
This is an incredible short story with a very interesting twist. I love the way the author details the environments and people in his books.
February 11, 2013
One of Christian's best work, and way too short.
April 10, 2013
This book was a little slow but the end was worth it.
May 28, 2014
A very good short story. I enjoyed reading it over a night.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews