The E.S.P. Worm

by Robert E. Margroff, Piers Anthony

Harold Prodkins, the ineffectual Minister of Inner-Galactic World Affairs, must try to convince Qumax, a young worm-like alien, to return home before his father decides to destroy the world

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Ebooks, Science Fiction Fantasy, Speculative Fiction

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

The E.S.P. Worm is one of Anthony's more obscure titles. It's a collaboration with Robert E. Margroff, who wrote several things in collaboration with Anthony and a few with andrew j. offutt. It was published in 1970 and is very much a product of its time in so far as the attitude taken towards female characters. It was much funnier then than it is now, if that makes sense. It's a silly caper story, a bit of harmless fun, a romp and a farce with an interstellar background. Yes, the main character really is a worm, and in more ways than one.

[Dylan]

DNF @ 50% because this is really bad and I can't even enjoy it ironically and I just don't care about it at all.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just... silly. Piers Anthony is capable of writing inspired, thought-provoking, frequently amusing science fiction, and even some of his fantasy writing can be engaging. Not this hot mess, though. I can't imagine what the authors were thinking, if, indeed, they were thinking much at all. The meandering plot of this tale comes off as an arbitrary stream of consciousness, and one is left suspecting that it was forged in a thick haze of bong smoke. As a general rule, interspecies sexual escapades are generally a sign of the lowest-shelf sci-fi, and this grating mouthful of sand is no exception. I would respond on a point-by-point basis (misogyny; a paucity of imagination regarding alien physiology; paper-thin characters; ludicrous dialogue), but I've already spent too much time on this book just reaching its back cover. I was, admittedly, looking for something light to read, but I conclude that cotton candy is not conducive to any and every flavor. Do not judge Anthony by this work! I'm being generous and giving this two stars for the simple fact that the authors are, miraculously, somehow able to tie up a plot which seems frayed beyond all hope.

[G. Edweird Cheese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird. Super weird, and equally funny.
This is the first I've read anything by Piers Anthony and I feel left out. How has nobody told me about this author? He has like a gazillion books and I'm JUST now hearing about him?? Shame on you all for keeping your secrets.
ESP Worm was fun from the first page and just gets better.
Reminds me a lot of Adams` 'Hitchhiker's Guide', but a little more risqué.
Filled with a cast of crazy alien characters, stupefieding futuristic customs, goofy death sports, and prostitute monkey people, this is a must read for anybody who is a fan of having fun.
I'll definitely be reading more Piers Anthony.

[Sara Applegate · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Rounded down from 2.5 stars cause it wasn't good enough to round up)

This book was.... interesting. All the characters were deeply unlikeable, the story felt super disjointed, not a single person grew or changed. Nancy was literally just there to be objectified and the only other women that were mentioned were alien prostitutes who were then called cows compared to humans. Overall this is a scifi book from the 70s that's what I went into it expecting and that's what I got. The story felt less like an adventure and more like a random series of events that everyone lucked their way out of, the best part was Harolds Gravball game against Crog.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not exactly Harrison’s “Star Smashers” or “Bill the Galactic Hero”, but a serviceably funny book. Some poor aging with jokes (especially the rampant latent sexism) but still managed to give me the odd smile or chuckle.

[Eric N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and funny space adventure

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A telepathic child worm crash lands on Earth and we become involved in Galactic affairs. Rating R2.1 worth rereading Sesame rating scale.

[W.J. Manares · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first Piers Anthony collaborative work I've read.

I tried to look for Mr. Margroff but he can't be found. I contacted someone named Robert Margroff on Facebook but he told me that he's not him.

[Lucy Batson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very goofy, not much to latch onto, typically thin Piers Anthony female characters, just no.

[Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

As mad as I expected, gets a little lost in the middle and dated as hell (the phrase, "smack her one" really set me back) but a fun sci-fi story.

[~Sara~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few (very few) wonderful moments in this book that I really liked and the rest was a huge WTF!!! Sometimes I was confused, other times I was annoyed or just plain disgusted, there were a few times that I laughed out loud, but not enough to make it worth while. The one fantastic part of this book was the dystopian "New Victorianism" elements. The women of the future are all required to wear a dress shaped like a giant baggie to cover all but their head and there hands (which were covered in gloves). The major problem is that the female protagonist had so little character that her head could have been in the bag too and it wouldn't have been noticed - actually it might have been an improvement since it would have been an excuse for her insipidness. So, although I liked many of the elements of the story, it failed miserably in execution leaving it with a lackluster 2 star rating and a promise to never read it again.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harold Prodkins is Earth’s first Minister for Inner-Galactic Affairs, thanks to his cousin the President of Earth. He always thought it was a nepotistic conciliation, but after an unfortunate series of strange events, the office—and it’s heretofore lazy occupant—is thrust into the limelight of the galactic stage. With, of course, a beautiful blonde companion and an obnoxious and immature telepathic Jamborang—the titular E.S.P. Worm.
Despite the interesting theme and some funny characters, the book as a whole isn’t terribly great. One of Anthony’s earlier works—and a collaboration at that—the plot is far-fetched even for Sci-Fi, the characters aren’t engrossing, and the idea seems somewhat choppy. A not-bad read, but at the same time a don’t-really-want-to-read-it-again read….

[Michele Brenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a teenager and found it great fun. Qumax the worm remains one of my favourite aliens of all time. The name Harold Prodkins makes me smile even now - I have a very juvenile sense of humour. If you like Buck Rodgers, Carry On Films, and knock knock jokes - you will probably enjoy this. :)

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is among the worst Piers Anthony novels I've read. His usually troubling sex scenes are here, plus a lot of non-pun humor, which is not something he's good at.

I feel like he might've been imitating Norman Spinrad a bit, here. Whatever he was going for with this more bombastic tone, it was a swing and a miss.

[SciFiOne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade B. GoodReads book record lists co-author Robert E. Margroff, but doesn't list in shelf author column, nor does this book turn up for him in personal shelf search.