The Magnificent Wilf

by Gordon R. Dickson

Earth is contacted by Galactic Civilization and diplomat Tom Parent and his wife Lucy, a linguist, must represent Earth to the galaxy. There's only one tiny catch -- Lucy is, or may be, a Wilf. And you know what that means....

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Science Fiction Fantasy, Adventure, Collections

292 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Gordon 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.

Reviews

[Karl Jorgenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this imaginative and amusing sci-fi novel, the Earth has been contacted by aliens and invited to work toward joining the galactic council, a united nations for the sentient galaxy. A pretty-smart couple, Tom and Lucy, are sucked into inter-species intrigue, and use their sharp human wits to escape some close calls, set right some wrongs, and ultimately help humans on their way to joining the galactic brotherhood. Dickson, a longtime master, uses his imagination for aliens and their problems to good effect. The weakness of this novel are the characters, who seem mired in 1950 with stilted gender roles, excessive politeness, and a general feeling of June and Ward Cleaver go to other planets. Much of it is done for humor, so even the bad is sort of good.

[Steve Isaak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magnificent is a clever, laugh-out-loud funny lark of a science fiction novel that builds on its episodic, character- and action-thrilling events. While the stakes are life-or-death high for Tom, Lucy, Rex (their dog) and this galaxy's alien races, Dickson maintains a frolicking feel throughout this superb and character-twisty work. This is one of my favorite reads in any genre, perhaps even an all-time favorite read. This is a book worth owning.


(This review originally appeared on the Reading & Writing By Pub Light site.)

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Just fun science fiction.

[Adam White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light, fluffy and fun read. I agree with another reviewer here who said it felt like a collection of short stories with the same characters - rather than a novel. But that said, did giggle a lot, and knocked it off in a afternoon. So if you like enjoyable non taxing, light brain fluff, this is worth the few hours you will need to read it.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Parent and his wife are touring the galaxy on a diplomatic mission. The acceptance of Earth by the rest of the galaxy depends on their performance. The fly in the ointment os that Lucy is a Wilf.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to say about this book. First published in 1995, it reads much like 50's Pulp SF, complete with whacky aliens, flying cars and an adoring yet capable wife/sidekick. As such it was mildly amusing, but ultimately not very satisfying.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

aaaaaaaaaaa its good

[Donny Wankan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't take it. It's so bad. I've made it about twenty pages in, and it's too much like a 1950s tv show, complete with the painfully childish gender stereotypes, unrealistic "sci-fi" technology, and goofy sitcom scenarios. I feel like I'm reading a novelized episode of I Dream of Jeannie.
That important alien representative is coming to visit us, so hubby, stay out of wifey's way so she can clean the house (with vague, magical-seeming, futuristic house cleaning machines) like a good domestic partner. No, you can't feed the dog raw ground beef, you irresponsible man. Let's hope Rex (yeah, that's the dog's name) doesn't get into any shenanigans while we're trying to impress Mr. Important Alien Man. Ugh, it hurts.
If you like sitcom-style stories--the ones that are just a string of lazy cliches predictably leading one to another to another to another--you may enjoy this book. Otherwise, don't bother. It's not good at all.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the first third of this book, but then the husband took main stage making the wife be a doormat for a large section of the next third, with a sudden reversal at the end. Kind of felt weird and not very funny to me.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

An excessively faint echo of the Daniel Leary series. The fact that the Wilf is not even introduced as such until more than halfway through and plays no significant role other than irritating interference doesn't help. Really bad.

[Robert Keefer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comedy science fiction story worth your time (it's a quick read) if you need a laugh. Nothing too deep or mysterious, charter development a bit shallow, but funny at the right times.

[Brad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish. Incredibly boring and slow paced story.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun romp through space as a married couple from earth become ambassadors on an alien planet. My favorite bit involved saving a singing Jell-o mold from being eaten for dessert! Very fun stuff.

[Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably should be 3.5 stars. A lite fun read that won't tax the brain. Often seemed more like a collection of stories than a novel.

[Audrey Hare · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry Dad, didn't really like this one.

[Beth]

Not bad.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun comedy sci-fi. Pleasant read. =)