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Jed the Dead
Forging an unlikely friendship with the three-eyed, six-limbed, alien corpse Jed, Ross Ed Hager journeys with his new companion throughout the world, catching the attention of the government and landing on the Universe's Most Wanted list. Original.
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
86 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Alan Dean Foster
500 books2,038 followersBestselling science fiction writer Alan Dean Foster was born in New York City in 1946, but raised mainly in California. He received a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA in 1968, and a M.F.A. in 1969. Foster lives in Arizona with his wife, but he enjoys traveling because it gives him opportunities to meet new people and explore new places and cultures. This interest is carried over to his writing, but with a twist: the new places encountered in his books are likely to be on another planet, and the people may belong to an alien race.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 12, 2021
This is an amusing, lighthearted story about a good 'ol Texas boy on a journey of self-discovery with his pal (or mascot), Jed the dead alien. It's a lot of well-written fun. It's quite different, but sure to raise a smile.
December 14, 2011
I quite like this book. It's not one of those have-to-read-in-one-sitting sorts, but I quite like it. Mostly, I think, because of the conceit behind it: a down-home country boy who takes a mostly-dead alien on a cross-country trip--just because. It's an odd, quirky kind of book, and to be completely honest in the five or so years since I last read it I don't entirely recall the whole plot (there were, I think, Agents of some Agency who wanted Jed-the-Dead-Alien's corpse), but the concept of a nice country boy and a dead alien in a spacesuit in a car together was...strangely charming and quite funny. I still prefer Mad Amos, if I'm going to read Alan Dean Foster, but this was an entertaining read.
November 12, 2024
Kindle version full typo errors
A quick easy read with Foster's tongue in cheek humor on every page. There are typo errors on every page. AMAZON is relying on you, the reader, to do the proof reading. Resist the impulse.
A quick easy read with Foster's tongue in cheek humor on every page. There are typo errors on every page. AMAZON is relying on you, the reader, to do the proof reading. Resist the impulse.
March 16, 2025
Needs editing
There are too many typos and incorrectly added spellchecker words to be an enjoyable read. It's a shame because the story idea had a good bit of promise.
There are too many typos and incorrectly added spellchecker words to be an enjoyable read. It's a shame because the story idea had a good bit of promise.
May 15, 2012
One of the best books I've read. Likeable protagonist who you'd allow your daughter to marry... because the guy is just, simply, a decent, loyal human being. Excellent plotting. Really, it rarely gets any better than this for a reader who likes good story.
February 9, 2010
It's a book about a man traveling around with a dead alien. What's not to like?
April 5, 2011
I read this book several years ago based on my husband recommendation. It's an unforgettable story.
February 20, 2025
I've never read a book with so many typos. It was an interesting story, but I didn't enjoy it fully because every other page had an error.
September 2, 2025
Good story
Very badly copied b y an AI program that spoiled the reading .using r with t or n that turns burn into bum
Very badly copied b y an AI program that spoiled the reading .using r with t or n that turns burn into bum
Read
February 1, 2021Alan Dean Foster has always written some "different" SF and Fantasy. Perhaps best known for his Pip and Flynx books, he also had the Spellsong series and then went through a phase reminiscent of Tom Robbins for a while. I think this book was written during that time period. My friend, Law, saw it at a used book store we were browsing one day, and we just couldn't resist adding the title to the library.
Ross Ed Hager is a redneck roughneck from Texas who decides that he wants to visit the Pacific Ocean before he turns thirty, so he sets out in his Cadillac on a road trip. While lunching at a roadside rest stop, he discovers the body of an alien in a cave, and strange things begin to happen. People whom he encounters see strange visions after they touch the alien, and while he's working in an airport bar to make some gas money, he begins to pretend that the Alien, whom he names Jed, is a ventriloquist's dummy. His routine is a little more inspired than he thinks, and he attracts the unwanted attention of Army Intelligence when somehow the dead alien (maybe he's only mostly dead), inspires him to reel off the chemical formula for a very efficient high explosive.
Ross Ed decides it's time to move on, and the rest of the book sees him pursued by the Army, bounty hunters, UFO nuts, L.A. producers, a couple of alien races, some revolutionaries, and a drug lord. Everyone wants a piece of Jed, and our hero from Texas ain't giving him up. Quirky entertainment, but nothing deep or especially new here.
Ross Ed Hager is a redneck roughneck from Texas who decides that he wants to visit the Pacific Ocean before he turns thirty, so he sets out in his Cadillac on a road trip. While lunching at a roadside rest stop, he discovers the body of an alien in a cave, and strange things begin to happen. People whom he encounters see strange visions after they touch the alien, and while he's working in an airport bar to make some gas money, he begins to pretend that the Alien, whom he names Jed, is a ventriloquist's dummy. His routine is a little more inspired than he thinks, and he attracts the unwanted attention of Army Intelligence when somehow the dead alien (maybe he's only mostly dead), inspires him to reel off the chemical formula for a very efficient high explosive.
Ross Ed decides it's time to move on, and the rest of the book sees him pursued by the Army, bounty hunters, UFO nuts, L.A. producers, a couple of alien races, some revolutionaries, and a drug lord. Everyone wants a piece of Jed, and our hero from Texas ain't giving him up. Quirky entertainment, but nothing deep or especially new here.
February 26, 2020
I've read a lot of Alan Dean Foster's work and much of it is funny. Some are more serious, like "The Damned" books but I like his humor the best. And of his lighter writing, my hands-down favorite is Jed the Dead.
It's quirky, full of pathos and has a straight man to beat them all. Even the basic idea is funny; a good ol' boy called Ross, taking a driving holiday, stumbles on the body of a dead alien. Rather than bringing in Mulder and Skully, Ross decides the alien corpse might like to see the west coast as much he does. Thus starts the mother of all driving holidays, buddy stories and fugitive chases.
You see, Ross is a laid back kind of guy and thinks nothing of having a bit of fun with an alien body. And of course, nobody would suspect the truth, not with the alien blatantly riding shotgun in Ross's convertible. But the happy times can't last forever, and when Ross starts showing smarts he wasn't born with, we start to suspect Jed may not be quite as dead as we thought.
The feds are hot on the trail, a bunch of loony UFO freaks jump on the bandwaggon, Hollywood takes an interest and in his spare time, Ross finds a shapely friend to share his ride. All of this is well within the capabilities of your average boot-wearing Texan but when extraterrestrial police start making a fuss, things leave the realms of even Ross's ability. This book is laugh-out-loud funny so don't read it in public places - but do read it. You'll thank me.
It's quirky, full of pathos and has a straight man to beat them all. Even the basic idea is funny; a good ol' boy called Ross, taking a driving holiday, stumbles on the body of a dead alien. Rather than bringing in Mulder and Skully, Ross decides the alien corpse might like to see the west coast as much he does. Thus starts the mother of all driving holidays, buddy stories and fugitive chases.
You see, Ross is a laid back kind of guy and thinks nothing of having a bit of fun with an alien body. And of course, nobody would suspect the truth, not with the alien blatantly riding shotgun in Ross's convertible. But the happy times can't last forever, and when Ross starts showing smarts he wasn't born with, we start to suspect Jed may not be quite as dead as we thought.
The feds are hot on the trail, a bunch of loony UFO freaks jump on the bandwaggon, Hollywood takes an interest and in his spare time, Ross finds a shapely friend to share his ride. All of this is well within the capabilities of your average boot-wearing Texan but when extraterrestrial police start making a fuss, things leave the realms of even Ross's ability. This book is laugh-out-loud funny so don't read it in public places - but do read it. You'll thank me.
March 1, 2025
Good Writing, but very flawed publishing.
While I have enjoyed many of Fosters Books since my teens, and this one no less than most.
I have to wonder if whomever handled the transition of the printed work to digital was asleep, stoned, or just incompetent?
If even one proofreader had been employed with the company the many, and glaringly obvious mistakes, and misspellings, would have been corrected.
While I still enjoyed the book had I not been forced to stumble over the flawed text like roots on a dark forest path, I would have gained much more pleasure from my reading.
A.D.Foster please stipulate in any future contracts that proofreading before publishing takes place.
While I have enjoyed many of Fosters Books since my teens, and this one no less than most.
I have to wonder if whomever handled the transition of the printed work to digital was asleep, stoned, or just incompetent?
If even one proofreader had been employed with the company the many, and glaringly obvious mistakes, and misspellings, would have been corrected.
While I still enjoyed the book had I not been forced to stumble over the flawed text like roots on a dark forest path, I would have gained much more pleasure from my reading.
A.D.Foster please stipulate in any future contracts that proofreading before publishing takes place.
March 25, 2025
Oops!
Unfortunately, the Kindle copy that I read was riddled with computer typos. It was almost funny: in many places where the two letters "rt" were needed, the computer used the letter "n" producing interesting new words such as "stan" for start, "sman" for smart, "shin" for shirt, etc. Even so the book was thoroughly enjoyable, honestly earning five stars despite the technical quirks.
Unfortunately, the Kindle copy that I read was riddled with computer typos. It was almost funny: in many places where the two letters "rt" were needed, the computer used the letter "n" producing interesting new words such as "stan" for start, "sman" for smart, "shin" for shirt, etc. Even so the book was thoroughly enjoyable, honestly earning five stars despite the technical quirks.
July 28, 2025
A good read, but filled with way too many typo errors!
I did enjoy reading this book. But there were a great number of typo errors and probably an equal amount of words which were unknown since they were not found in the dictionary. Mr Foster has been one of my top 10 authors for most of my life. I'm now 72 and with the way my memory is failing, I probably could reread a lot of his books all over again and enjoy them again like I did the first time. (sigh).
I did enjoy reading this book. But there were a great number of typo errors and probably an equal amount of words which were unknown since they were not found in the dictionary. Mr Foster has been one of my top 10 authors for most of my life. I'm now 72 and with the way my memory is failing, I probably could reread a lot of his books all over again and enjoy them again like I did the first time. (sigh).
January 13, 2026
Surprisingly Wonderful Novel
First of all, don't let the other reviews move you off of buying this book - yes, there's a variety of typos, but they're not that big of a deal, at least that was my experience. My hunch is they probably were the result of manuscript scanning and OCR that sometimes went awry.
Second, the story was very creative and full of surprises. Very enjoyable and recommended.
First of all, don't let the other reviews move you off of buying this book - yes, there's a variety of typos, but they're not that big of a deal, at least that was my experience. My hunch is they probably were the result of manuscript scanning and OCR that sometimes went awry.
Second, the story was very creative and full of surprises. Very enjoyable and recommended.
June 23, 2024
Not the greatest book, but Foster has a pleasant writing style and a common touch making his books fun to read. This one about a Texan finding an alien, who is dead, but as they would say in "The Princess Bride", only slightly dead.
The story rolls along well with a satisfying conclusion. This is a nice summer read.
The story rolls along well with a satisfying conclusion. This is a nice summer read.
November 7, 2024
Well done story Alan Dean Foster does these novely
The story and resolution were satisfying. The overall experience had a couple of niggly points. It looks like the text was a scan, so minor typos leaked through. Did not have the percentage remaining. Other than those, a fine read
The story and resolution were satisfying. The overall experience had a couple of niggly points. It looks like the text was a scan, so minor typos leaked through. Did not have the percentage remaining. Other than those, a fine read
May 13, 2024
Real Light Reading Science Fiction
Really imaginative writing. Downside is that the book was never edited properly. Full of grammatical errors and misspelled words. Enjoyable reading.
Really imaginative writing. Downside is that the book was never edited properly. Full of grammatical errors and misspelled words. Enjoyable reading.
April 2, 2025
Almost excellent
Would have given this delightful book five stars but for the numerous typos. Don't know how it was finished without a basic spell check. I could figure out most of what was supposed to be but some were so off base that I had to stumble over them and go on.
Would have given this delightful book five stars but for the numerous typos. Don't know how it was finished without a basic spell check. I could figure out most of what was supposed to be but some were so off base that I had to stumble over them and go on.
April 16, 2025
Alan Dean Foster needs a spell checker!
The story was just okay, but the number of misspellings and grammatical errors in the book might have set a new world record. You randomly had to fill in words or even sentences, which made reading the ebook a bit annoying.
The story was just okay, but the number of misspellings and grammatical errors in the book might have set a new world record. You randomly had to fill in words or even sentences, which made reading the ebook a bit annoying.
December 27, 2025
Silly and fun!
A quick and silly story about a dude from Texas and his adventures with an alien. I really enjoyed the characters. The Kindle version is sadly chocked full of typos.
A quick and silly story about a dude from Texas and his adventures with an alien. I really enjoyed the characters. The Kindle version is sadly chocked full of typos.
January 19, 2026
Typical Alan
Enjoyable farfetched read. My only complaint is when it was transfered to an e-book it aquired a large number of typographical errors such as the word "part" turned into "pan" the "rt" being replaced by a "n". There are more then 100 errors.
Enjoyable farfetched read. My only complaint is when it was transfered to an e-book it aquired a large number of typographical errors such as the word "part" turned into "pan" the "rt" being replaced by a "n". There are more then 100 errors.
January 23, 2026
A great story, but…
I have never attempted to read such a book with so many spelling errors. Hundreds if not thousands. Foster would be physically ill if he saw what someone did to his writing. How Amazon can submit such rubbish, I can’t imagine.
I have never attempted to read such a book with so many spelling errors. Hundreds if not thousands. Foster would be physically ill if he saw what someone did to his writing. How Amazon can submit such rubbish, I can’t imagine.
January 29, 2026
Good but needs editing
I have enjoyed Alan Dean Fosters stories for
years. This is a decent enough yarn but it needs.an editor,words like head Quakers for head quarters, cut for our and other errors took away from the reading experience.
I have enjoyed Alan Dean Fosters stories for
years. This is a decent enough yarn but it needs.an editor,words like head Quakers for head quarters, cut for our and other errors took away from the reading experience.
May 22, 2017
This was exactly what I expected. Some light adventure, a little PG romance, some vague humor. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was a book.
November 10, 2017
Alien corpse found in Texas! Amusing and well- done. 3.4 stars. Recommended for frivolous relaxation.
March 6, 2021
One word = hokey
April 11, 2022
OK Some people might like it i did not hate it just not really anything to get or keep my interest after Jed is found.
DNF 20%
DNF 20%
July 12, 2024
Cute. Amusing. I was thinking Foster must have been mimicking Scalzi, but looking at the dates, it may be the other way around.
November 13, 2024
One of the better
One of the better Alan Dean Foster, that isn't in the Humanx universe.
Surprisingl, exiting and a degree of humor.
Recommended
One of the better Alan Dean Foster, that isn't in the Humanx universe.
Surprisingl, exiting and a degree of humor.
Recommended
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews