Readers, are you looking for something unique to read? A book with more than a little comedy, some satire, and packed with twists that you’re just not going to see coming? Then we have just the book for you.
The Good Soldier by Nir Yaniv is sure to be just the ticket. This novel packed with science fiction, a truly odd main character, and ridiculously hilarious situations is going to be one novel you won’t soon forget.
The Good Soldier first presents itself to you with the cover featuring a soldier riding on what appears to be a missile with a dog riding just in front of him. You’d think riding on such a projectile would more likely inspire fear rather than the joy expressed on his face. But hey! What do we know, right?! LOL! Everyone is different, and it appears that this particular character is having the time of his life.
To be truthful with you, the cover simply helps set the stage for the preposterousness awaiting readers inside its cover. You could say that the cover for The Good Soldier is just a mild and simple prelude to what is to come once you start reading. Get excited, because the author has quite a lot in store that you’re not just going to be anywhere near prepared for. The laughs are coming.
The Good Soldier is broken up into four parts. You’ll notice as you read that each chapter has “Fux” in the title. Well, there’s a reason for it since Fux is the main character of this story. It’s both interesting and hilarious how a lowly Pre-Private, who later becomes Private, manages to have such an impact on the crew of the UPS Spitz. It’s so bizarre that it is absolutely jaw-droppingly hilarious. He’s nothing special at first glance, but he’s more than he appears.
From the very beginning author Yaniv starts the story off with a touch of shock and a laugh. Readers are “unceremoniously” introduced to Pre-Private Fux in a manner that details that he’s probably not the brightest of the bunch. In fact, he’s probably more of a threat to his fellow crew members if anything at all!
Intentionally or not, he appears to bring more than a little chaos in his wake, which causes his superiors to question – many times – how Fux even got on the ship in the first place.
It all begins with an airlock “disruption” that could have cost many lives, Fux’s own included, but shockingly zero loss of life. Progressively gets more ridiculous and hilarious as the story goes on and seemingly culminates with a bizarre…marriage proposal?! Yes, you read that right…a marriage proposal. But there is plenty of fun to be had in the interim, so settle in when you grab this book.
Author Yaniv portrays our main protagonist as a “simpleton” but is he really? There is truly something more about Fux than meets the eye. Why do we say this? We say this because he’s more complex than what he shows to his fellow crew members. There is truly something special about him. We don’t just mean his capability at essentially surviving everything that comes at him either.
The political and military airs that swirl around this book and the characters in it a truly interesting. “Free speech” is a limited thing in this book. The author draws special attention to this in both his descriptions of the rules, and how the crew themselves behave.
9 out of 10 times, unless they are truly at their wit’s end, they are very careful about what they say. You’ll even read about moments where they hush each other, the superiors threaten their underlings or glance nervously at camlogs positioned throughout the ship when speaking.
It is interesting because “negative” speech is frowned upon. To speak negatively is tantamount to speaking ill of the empire and that can get the speaker “re-calibrated” or worse…” recycled.” Though honestly, being “recycled” isn’t the absolute worst thing that can happen to someone. No, the author will let you think that for a time, but there is always something worse that can happen should you violate the rules of the ship and the empire.
Fux is the main character of The Good Soldier, but he is surrounded by a wide cast of characters who all lend themselves to the storyline. You are quickly introduced to Lieutenant Lipton who is one of the first who has to deal with the aftermath of ridiculousness that is Pre-Private Fux.
Lieutenant Lipton is going to have quite a lot of back and forth with Pre-Private Fux throughout this story. But Lipton also has his own twisted and rather bizarre story hidden within. You’ll have to be patient to find out his though because that won’t be for a while. However! It is an interesting twist you’re not going to want to miss!
The Good Soldier is packed with drama, hilarious situations, and scenes that will have you tilting your head to the side and wondering – what in the hell is going on here? Author Yaniv sets up truly bizarre scenes but with more than a little satire that will leave you howling. No, seriously, this book is going to have you literally laughing out loud throughout the story. It’s that funny.
We’re sure you’re thinking – is there non-stop humor throughout this book? The simple answer is no. The satire and humor are sprinkled throughout this book liberally, but not to the point where it devolves into an all-out comedy story.
There will be moments of somber levity to balance out the humor. In essence, it gives your mind a chance to “reset” and be drawn back into the overall storyline itself.
That being said the author does this only to, in certain scenes, come barreling in to throw a particularly wild scene at readers that will leave you howling with laughter. But more than that you’ll be plagued with this one question – “Who exactly is Fux?”
Now, Fux will quickly break down where he’s from and tell you stories about his life. Yet, the question as to who he really is…will remain tantalizingly out of reach. He’s more than the “second-class idiot” he proclaims himself to be.
The chaos that Fux brings to The Good Soldier is hilarious, interesting, and truly bizarre. Is he the idiot that he claims to be? Or is he actually a “plant” looking to bring down the military from the inside?
His introduction to the military brings multiple transfers and his superiors just don’t seem to know what to make of him. However, the truth of the matter is this – while he brings some chaos, he brings some good with him, which seems to balance it all out.
Author Nar Yaniv has written a science fiction novel that, while it has a slower pacing, is still an engaging novel that many a reader will enjoy. While this isn’t an action-packed science fiction novel plagued with enemy aliens out to conquer the universe depicted through intense battles, the characters truly bring this story to life.
The Good Soldier is a fun story that will entertain and surprise readers numerous times with wit, intelligence, a touch of heart, and interesting characters.
Pros:
- Humor
- Twists
- Engaging
- Drama
- Good sci-fi element
Cons:
- None of merit
Scribble's Worth 
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