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Next of Kin (Gollancz S.F.) (Paperback)

by Eric Frank Russell (Author) "He knew he'd stuck his neck out and it was too late to withdraw ..." (more)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Gollancz; New edition edition (21 Jun 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0575072407
  • ISBN-13: 978-0575072404
  • Product Dimensions: 24 x 15.9 x 1.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 296,904 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description

Scout-Officer John Leeming knew from the very start that his reconnaissance mission deep into enemy territory was likely to be a one-way trip. But when his ship finally let him down and he crashed on a far-distant planet and was captured by tough and ruthless aliens, he knew he wasn't just going to give up. Armed with a piece of wood, a coil of copper-like wire, his quick wits and an imaginary ally called Eustace, Leeming embarked on a brilliant campaign to gain his freedom - and coincidentally undermined the entire alien war effort!


About the Author

Eric Frank Russell (1905-1978) was the first British writer to contribute regularly to Astounding Science Fiction, his first story, 'The Saga of Pelican West', appearing in that magazine in 1937. His novels include Sinister Barrier, Wasp and The Great Explosion and his short fiction has appeared in a number of collections.
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He knew he'd stuck his neck out and it was too late to withdraw. Read the first page
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Next of Kin (Gollancz S.F.)
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Next of Kin (Gollancz S.F.) 4.9 out of 5 stars (12)
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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Hugely enjoyable sci-fi romp., 11 Feb 2003
By Davywavy2 - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
Once upon a time, Science Fiction was mostly about mighty Starships crashing through the void, huge ray guns, and ne'er-do-well aliens wanting to make free with our earth women.
Naturally 99% of this genre, to modern eyes, is complete c**p.
The remaining 1% includes the work of Eric Frank Russell.
Anyone who has read the Stainless Steel Rat books will quickly see where Harry Harrisons inspiration came from; fast paced sci-fi adventure with an absolute disregard for tricky things like science but an abiding perfectionism of well-crafted storytelling and humour.
In the midst of an intergalactic war, Lieutenant Leeming crash lands on an enemy planet with only his skill at lying to officers, a length of copper wire and an imaginary friend called Eustace to save him. Can he survive?
The tale of how Leeming single-handedly disrupts the enemy war effort is, frankly, utterly implausible and unworkable. It is also wonderfully enjoyable to read and in places laugh-out-loud funny (the interrogation of the Human officer POW late in the book is priceless).
You won't find hard science like Clarke or Baxter here, but what you will find is the perfect book for pure enjoyment on a lazy afternoon.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Fast and funny read., 20 Jul 2001
By J. Ververgaard "Jos" (Den Haag Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Most of Eric Frank Russel's books have one thing in commong, the quick witted humans outsmarting the dim-witted aliens. And this is no exception to the rule. While this may seem rather predictable and boring he always manages to avoid duplication. Each time the basic plot is worked out in a new and refreshing way.

Do not read this book if you want to read serious science fiction or military science fiction. That is not what this book is about. It was written to tell a story that should not be taken seriuos and that leaves a smile on your face. And this is exactly what it does, and brilliantly so.

This time the aliens being outwitted are on the other side of an intergalactic war, and they have made the unfortunate mistake of capturing and imprisoning an earthling. But that was not their biggest mistake, the biggest mistake was teaching him their language. For once they learn to communicate their war is as good as lost.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Outrageously hilarious, 28 Aug 2002
I must confess I haven't read it yet in his english version, so my review is based on an old experience. I just remember I read it several times back to back.

That book kept me with a stupid smile on my face for days and days. And even today, I remember it with the same smile.

Eric Frank Russel is a hilarious writer, although delivering his stories with a deadpan twist (he reminds me of somebody like Donald Westlake, although in a different line of work). Note that the author is english, and I think that sometimes it appears to be translucent in some oh-so-british ways of saying things.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Addicted to Russell
Great book! Funny, witty and addictive. Years ago I came across its translation into German and even that was a good read. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Francine

5.0 out of 5 stars A thank-you to all Eustaces everywhere.
What to do as a prisoner of war? What else should you do but harass the enemy, and what better way than psychologically? Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. F. Stevens

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic British Science Fiction
Quite possibly Eric Frank Russels funniest book. The fact that it is now over 50 years old doesn't change how relevant it still is. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2006 by G. Fergus

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious retro sci-fi
"Next of Kin" is dated (e.g spaceships with dials and needles on the control panel) but Russell was writing in the '50s. It's a hilarious adventure-style interstellar romp. Read more
Published on 6 April 2005 by Antony Naylor

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Fun Read By One of SF's Greats
This book is another excellent bit of Russell, though to be read for fun rather than for any "message". Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2004 by M. W. Stone

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Fun Read By One of SF's Greats
This book is another excellent bit of Russell, though to be read for fun rather than for any "message". Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2004 by M. W. Stone

5.0 out of 5 stars The funniest sci-fi book ever written
Eric Frank Russell was brought upo in a military family, just after WW2, and hated it. His father forced him into the army and he resigned right after his father died. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2003 by mike4113

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
This is one of the very best books Russell wrote, consistently hilarious, pithy and imaginative. Learn how to bamboozle dopey aliens, be rude to your superiors, and generally... Read more
Published on 30 Jul 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Hugely imaginative adventure
This is one of only a very few books that made me laugh out loud. What do you do when you get captured by your enemy thousands of light years from home and banged up in a prison... Read more
Published on 22 Nov 1999

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