Aliens in Hollywood

[bibliogramma]

John Scalzi, Agent to the Stars

OK, this is just plain hilarious. It's high concept to the core - What if the first aliens to visit our planet are so unpalatable that they need to high a high-powered agent to "sell" them to Earthfolk? And where it goes from there is pretty much non-stop funny of all shades from some simple farce and slapstick to some profound satire on the entertainment business and on human nature.

Note that I said "pretty much non-stop" - because there are also some moments of tragedy and some very important ethical considerations that ground the novel and make it much more than what it at first appears to be.

Worth reading, and also at times worth thinking about. I have some quibbles with the ultimate unveiling strategy - there's something about it that doesn't sit quite right with me, and I think it has to do with - how do I say this without spoiling the scene? - stealing focus from a legitimate celebration of exemplary work and thus robbing other people of well-deserved recognition. Even if the reason is an important one. Just didn't quite seem fair.

But it's a small quibble, and one I can live with.