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Puki Horpocket Presents #3
Phil: A Maddening Chat with the Smartest Being in the Universe
A brilliance beyond belief. A fool beyond measure. This is the enigma that is Phil.
Out in the great black sea, there exists a creature with a fathomless intellect. Phil is widely presumed to be the smartest being in the universe. Interviewing him was a dream come true, albeit one with a nightmarish caveat. This brief exchange reveals, in the bluntest of terms, how intelligence rarely begets wisdom.
Puki Horpocket is a literary titan with a loyal fandom that stretches across the universe. His merits are unchallenged, unsurpassed, and unquantifiable.
Zachry Wheeler is a human author and terrestrial translator for Puki Horpocket Presents, a collection of legendary tales from beyond the black.
Out in the great black sea, there exists a creature with a fathomless intellect. Phil is widely presumed to be the smartest being in the universe. Interviewing him was a dream come true, albeit one with a nightmarish caveat. This brief exchange reveals, in the bluntest of terms, how intelligence rarely begets wisdom.
Puki Horpocket is a literary titan with a loyal fandom that stretches across the universe. His merits are unchallenged, unsurpassed, and unquantifiable.
Zachry Wheeler is a human author and terrestrial translator for Puki Horpocket Presents, a collection of legendary tales from beyond the black.
- GenresScience FictionEbooks
48 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2022
39 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Zachry Wheeler
30 books181 followersZachry Wheeler is an award-winning science fiction author. His many interests include photon hunting, full-contact chess, and vertical wit. He lives on Earth with his wife and cats. Learn more at ZachryWheeler.com, where you can join his email list and receive a FREE limited edition eBook.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 30, 2022
Puki's stories are an absolute delight and this is no exception. He's called to a planet inhabited by only one being, Phil, to interview said being. Now, Phil is the smartest being in the universe so Puki expects an exceptional experience.
He does not get it.
Instead, he gets a billion-year story from a petulant Phil.
And it is hilarious.
Read this quick story and laugh. You'll thank Zachry Wheeler later for his never-ending efforts to bring these stories to the masses.
He does not get it.
Instead, he gets a billion-year story from a petulant Phil.
And it is hilarious.
Read this quick story and laugh. You'll thank Zachry Wheeler later for his never-ending efforts to bring these stories to the masses.
July 14, 2024
oh, the insanity of it!
I cannot in all honesty review this book... its entire premise is as unreasonable and preposterous as can be imagined. the author is either genius yet to be recognized or should definitely quit his day job. granted, this dizzying tale is one of THOSE things, the mucho scorned short story, but is the only one I have never wished were longer to prolong the creative pleasures of that most enviable of all places known to mankind, the human imagination. z.w. has that in spades. I cannot fathom what his life mates must face in his wake from second to minute to hour to day to week to month to year. some well- compensated therapist(s) must be on his world's speedials with strict instructions to always pick up! the only exception I see to.my impression of z.w. is if he was ever kind enough to father some pretty lucky children who were commanded at birth to never, ever try to become another acorn and to fall as far from his tree as possible should they ever see him in some miraculous form of light sufficient to actually understand him. but, having decried the lunacy of this tale, I am nevertheless pretty certain that I will never forget Phil and his Precious Rock. it will take me all of Never! to figure out whether z.w. wrote this story completely at liberty to start and stop at will, or whether he was encouraged by the barrel of a pregnant firearm? I dare you to read this. it had to have been either the easiest manuscript an editor ever scrutinized or the fastest and first to get a blatantly Technicolor rubber stamp of approval without so much as reading beyond the first chapter... it used to be that Ridley Walker by the gifted mind(s) of Russell Hoban headed my list of the most unusual tale I ever tackled, but move over r.h. there's another loony out there, and he's off his leash!
I cannot in all honesty review this book... its entire premise is as unreasonable and preposterous as can be imagined. the author is either genius yet to be recognized or should definitely quit his day job. granted, this dizzying tale is one of THOSE things, the mucho scorned short story, but is the only one I have never wished were longer to prolong the creative pleasures of that most enviable of all places known to mankind, the human imagination. z.w. has that in spades. I cannot fathom what his life mates must face in his wake from second to minute to hour to day to week to month to year. some well- compensated therapist(s) must be on his world's speedials with strict instructions to always pick up! the only exception I see to.my impression of z.w. is if he was ever kind enough to father some pretty lucky children who were commanded at birth to never, ever try to become another acorn and to fall as far from his tree as possible should they ever see him in some miraculous form of light sufficient to actually understand him. but, having decried the lunacy of this tale, I am nevertheless pretty certain that I will never forget Phil and his Precious Rock. it will take me all of Never! to figure out whether z.w. wrote this story completely at liberty to start and stop at will, or whether he was encouraged by the barrel of a pregnant firearm? I dare you to read this. it had to have been either the easiest manuscript an editor ever scrutinized or the fastest and first to get a blatantly Technicolor rubber stamp of approval without so much as reading beyond the first chapter... it used to be that Ridley Walker by the gifted mind(s) of Russell Hoban headed my list of the most unusual tale I ever tackled, but move over r.h. there's another loony out there, and he's off his leash!
June 28, 2022
Greetings, Earthling!
My name is Zachry Wheeler and I'm a science fiction novelist based on Earth. I was chosen to serve as translator for all terrestrial editions of Puki Horpocket Presents, a literary series beloved throughout the universe.
It's been a great honor.
It's also been super stressful.
Decoding an alien tongue is daunting at a baseline, let alone through the prestigious lens of Puki Horpocket. He is renowned for his unique blend of commentary, interviews, and dramatic depictions. My job is to stick the landing for human readers. I sincerely hope that I do his words justice, but admittedly, I sometimes feel like a toddler translating Orwell.
The Durangoni Space Station is home to countless species and cultures, and thus, countless lexicons. Some things are universal, like beer. Other things are regional, like atmo barriers on artificial oceans. Some things are truly horrifying and do not warrant translation, regardless of their pop culture equivalents.
I did my best, but aliens be weird, y'all.
Puki Horpocket tales are chock-full of excitement, debauchery, and blatant disregard for delicate sensibilities. Fair warning: the language is lewd and the characters are crude, so keep your wits inside the vehicle and enjoy the ride.
My name is Zachry Wheeler and I'm a science fiction novelist based on Earth. I was chosen to serve as translator for all terrestrial editions of Puki Horpocket Presents, a literary series beloved throughout the universe.
It's been a great honor.
It's also been super stressful.
Decoding an alien tongue is daunting at a baseline, let alone through the prestigious lens of Puki Horpocket. He is renowned for his unique blend of commentary, interviews, and dramatic depictions. My job is to stick the landing for human readers. I sincerely hope that I do his words justice, but admittedly, I sometimes feel like a toddler translating Orwell.
The Durangoni Space Station is home to countless species and cultures, and thus, countless lexicons. Some things are universal, like beer. Other things are regional, like atmo barriers on artificial oceans. Some things are truly horrifying and do not warrant translation, regardless of their pop culture equivalents.
I did my best, but aliens be weird, y'all.
Puki Horpocket tales are chock-full of excitement, debauchery, and blatant disregard for delicate sensibilities. Fair warning: the language is lewd and the characters are crude, so keep your wits inside the vehicle and enjoy the ride.
July 29, 2022
This book is one of a series about Puki Horpocket chats. IMHO these Puki Horpocket interviews are self contained and can be read in any order. I really enjoy reading this author’s stories they always take unexpected twists and turns. The world building is impressive as the author created a mind boggling habitat as well as a world that houses a single being. The characters are designed in such a way to not only interact with the story but manages to invest the reader as part of the tale as well. Personally I like stories that make me laugh as well as learn and this book does both. I recommend this book to anyone who needs a break and/or a chuckle these days.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2025
Quick 40+ page read. This is the 3rd installment in this series. Though, each book is a standalone and you are free to read in whichever order you choose.
I was riding high on the greatness of “Roy” so I’m disappointed with “Nimi” and “Phil,” because I wanted that greatness to continue. In a way, it did. The writing remains fantastic as does character development and character motivations. These stories are fun and I want more. But I want more BOOKS and the author seems content to be the next king of sci-fi comedy gold short stories. Boo!
I only have up to this book in this series downloaded on my phone currently, though I do plan on eventually finishing the rest of the series.
Continue to recommend.
I was riding high on the greatness of “Roy” so I’m disappointed with “Nimi” and “Phil,” because I wanted that greatness to continue. In a way, it did. The writing remains fantastic as does character development and character motivations. These stories are fun and I want more. But I want more BOOKS and the author seems content to be the next king of sci-fi comedy gold short stories. Boo!
I only have up to this book in this series downloaded on my phone currently, though I do plan on eventually finishing the rest of the series.
Continue to recommend.
May 28, 2024
Deep and meaningful are two words not used to describe Phil's existence. Having found his beautiful thing his sole aim in life is to get other people to compliment it no matter how long it takes and once he accomplishes this he is fulfilled. It takes Puki to help him achieve this after Millenia of trying to draw people, ok beings, in but only succeeding in scaring them off with his mind probing and groping. His evolution has resulted in what he must hold as the perfect form, wanting for nothing physically but his meaningless existence must be driving him mad. For the smartest being in the universe he is pretty clueless.
July 17, 2022
Yep, Zeedub has done it again with another marvelous translation of a Puki story! While I had to cringe regularly on behalf of Puki, as well as laugh at Phil's way of seeing and interacting with the world around him, I'm more convinced than ever that Phil gave himself his name because he sees himself as a deep philosopher. He loves and appreciates all of the life around him with a child-like wonder that I'd envy if he didn't act like a self-centered twit so much of the time. It's alternately ridiculous, funny and cringe-worthy and you'll love every minute of it!
July 29, 2022
An entertaining read about an immortal being of incredible talent and unsurpassed powers, with a unique story to tell. Reminiscent of Gollum meets Sisyphus. Hilarious!
February 15, 2024
This is made me laugh 🤣
August 1, 2024
Are we only looking for a compliment, but once found, all value is lost?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews