Judge Sn Goes Golfing

The Android's Dream #1.5

by John Scalzi

John Scalzi visits the universe of his bestselling novel The Android's Dream for this exclusive short story, featuring fan favorite character Judge Nugan Bufan Sn -- a brilliant alien jurist whose misanthropy and lack of social graces is matched only by his futile, unrequited for the game of golf. When he hits the links at the absymal Dulles Woods golf course, the unexpected happens: He begins to play well. But there are more hazards on the course for Sn than just sand traps and disaffected caddies!

Long a staple of Scalzi's live readings, "Judge Sn Goes Golfing" has never seen print until now. Read what you've been missing.

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Short Stories, Fiction, Fantasy, Ebooks, Comedy

32 pages, Chapbook

First published December 31, 2009

About the author

John Scalzi, having declared his absolute boredom with biographies, disappeared in a puff of glitter and lilac scent.

(If you want to contact John, using the mail function here is a really bad way to do it. Go to his site and use the contact information you find there.)

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judge Sn, alien jurist posted on Earth, is banned from every golf course around Washington DC except the worst one ever constructed, Dulles Woods. He's having a life-changing golf game when the shooting starts...

I received this novella I've never heard of as part of the 2012 Subterranean Press grab bag. It was good for a chuckle.

With art by Gahan Wilson, Judge Sn Goes Golfing is an odd little book. The judge recounts his life, mostly of how he's been banned from most golf courses east of the Mississippi, while playing a round of golf. That's pretty much it until the assassins show up. I can't really say more without transcribing the entire book since it's only 32 pages.

Scalzi's trademark humor is present and Gahan Wilson's art is as bizarre as always. It's my third favorite book about golf, the other two being P.G. Wodehouse's The Clicking of Cuthbert and The Heart of a Goof.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious

[Papaphilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judge Sn Goes Golfing is real hoot. Regardless if you are a genre reader or not, this one has something for everyone. You will love it if you are a truly bad or addicted golfer because it speaks to the portion that is tortured by the game. This great little story is a spin off of John Scalzi's classic The Android's Dream with a minor character on his daily fixation of golf. As always, John Scalzi present a remarkable tale in an easy to read style that leaves you wanting more.

[Sensei_cor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un relatito muy corto sobre un personaje secundario (o terciario) de "El sueño del androide".
Con el estilo y humor de Scalzi, aunque tampoco es que sea de lo mejor.

Por el título provisional de la futura 2º parte, creo que este relato sirve como puente, una excusa para nombrar y situar un elemento que es el que da título a la futura secuela.

[Leather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judge Sn is a secondary character in Scalzi's Androïd's dream: a cantankerous but sympathetic judge.
We discover in this short story the reason for his bad mood: Judge Sn is a golf enthusiast, but a terrible player.
A funny little farce that will delight golf fans.

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judge Bufan Nigun Sn is fanatic about golf. He is an alien judge whose race is not really meant to do well at golf, the body structure is wrong. But he is determined to do well. Unfortunately, his temper has caused him to be banned from all golf courses except one, Dulles Woods, built on the former site of Dulles International Airport, thinly laid over the airport runways. As he begins his game with a strange caddy, a miracle happens - he begins to play well. Then an assassin shows up - and then it gets complicated.......

[L (Sniffly Kitty) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing little short story. Although it's not quite long enough to develop everything to be loveable, it's still a fun read. I love having this collectible from Scalzi though.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read 2/11/15

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny short. I am fully reminded of the best of Douglas Adams, mixed with the best of our very jaded sensibilities. I really have to read The Android's Dream now.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

With illustrations by Gahan Wilson. HA!

[Mayank Agarwal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to read more from the world of "Android Dreams" but this story was just for fun without any plot, sad part it tried too hard to be funny.

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It turns out the real golf game is the friends you made along the way

Imagine reading this before you've read the stuff that it's spun off from. I lived that reality. But it was still cute

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Judge Sn Goes Golfing": A Quirky Game with Alien Twists

⭐⭐⭐⭐⚝ (4/5)

Calling all golf enthusiasts and Scalzi fans!

"Judge Sn Goes Golfing" is a hole-in-one for anyone seeking a chuckle with a side of extraterrestrial antics. This 32-page novella might be short, but it packs a punch with Judge Sn's hilarious struggles on the green and his unexpected brush with danger.

Here's what to expect:

A quirky protagonist: Judge Sn, an alien jurist with a passion for golf and a knack for getting banned, takes center stage. His determination to conquer the game despite his anatomical limitations is both endearing and laugh-out-loud funny.
Scalzi's signature humor: Prepare for witty dialogue, absurdist situations, and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor. Scalzi's comedic touch shines through, making even the most bizarre moments entertaining.
A surprisingly action-packed twist: Just when you think you've got the measure of this golfing oddity, assassins enter the scene, taking the story in a direction that's both thrilling and hilarious.
Gahan Wilson's art: Adding to the quirky charm, Gahan Wilson's signature illustrations bring the story to life with their unique blend of humor and the grotesque.

While not a full-fledged novel, "Judge Sn Goes Golfing" is a delightful bite-sized treat. It's perfect for a quick read that will leave you grinning and maybe even pondering your own relationship with the frustratingly addictive game of golf.

Here's the lowdown:

If you loved Scalzi's humor in "The Android's Dream," you'll find plenty to chuckle about here.
For golf enthusiasts, Judge Sn's struggles and triumphs will resonate, even if your swing is a bit more orthodox.
Fans of quirky sci-fi with a dash of action will appreciate the unexpected turn of events.

Overall, "Judge Sn Goes Golfing" is a hole-in-one for anyone looking for a quick, quirky, and entertaining read. So grab your clubs (or just a comfy chair), tee up, and prepare to be charmed by this offbeat alien golfer.

[JDK1962 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just OK. Entertaining writing but (a) I don't give a monkeys about golf, (b) a jerk alien isn't that entertaining, (c) I didn't quite follow how one can be a crap golfer but suddenly have an absolutely fantastic round, and (d) the chances of multiple assassins showing up (apparently for the first time in Judge Sn's life) on the same date AND the same hole seemed to strain credulity in a way that a golf-playing alien judge didn't. And how the attempted assassinations led to the conclusion--or connected to it in any way--I did not get at all. Love Scalzi's work, but this one didn't do it for me.

[Kiro Selanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story that features a minor character from the novel "The Android's Dream". The character is Judge Sn, who is an alien living on Earth. Judge Sn is apparently a huge asshole, a tendency that has gotten him banned from nearly all of the golf courses in the DC area. This story describes his long and varied rage issues, as well as his round of golf at the last golf course that will still have him. It's funny but slight; I'm not sure why John Scalzi thought this story needed to exist.

[Terry Michael Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

four

I give this short story four as a pun and a judgement. This short story, while amusing, is not quite up to Scalias usual level of cleverness or execution—primarily because of the weak ending. Not par for his course, but worth the round of golf. And I enjoyed it! A buck for a yuck!

[Lars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, it is funny. And yes, you will probably only read it after you read the main story and have some interest in golf. And yes, that is why it gets 5 stars.

Also, 20 minutes read, good to fill up your reading challenge.


Wrote this before reading the book, if there is a change I will add it below this sentence.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Judge Sn's assassination was getting in the way of his golf game."

A humorous exploration of how ridiculous angry reactions to everything can be, set in a slightly science fiction setting but also is a Washington DC that seems little changed in the future. The Gahan Wilson illustrations are nice too.

[Mr. Kenya-Taray Delemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short story. I enjoyed it, and made me laugh on a few occasions. I could easily probably give it another star. But I think this story is a three, a good story, but a little less impactful and humorous than Author Scalzi's other stories. But an enjoyable read nonetheless,

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

I cannot think of more literary fun you can find for a buck. For more fun try the Androids Dream

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute quick story. I think it ties in with the Androids Dream book, vaguely.

[Orrezz · Rating 3 out of 5]

חביב ומשעשע, אם יש לכם שעה פנויה לשרוף. לחובבי סקאלזי, אבל לא רק

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of depth, but pretty funny. I see now that it's set in the same world as a book I haven't read yet, so I'll have to check that out.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A wonderful quick read. Funny, eloquent and deeply amusing . This story is a companion to the Androids Dream. I would like to hear more of Judge Sn.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consistently amusing, a few laugh out loud moments and further proof that golf should be banned and golf courses allowed to revert to their natural state.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was asked to read it by a friend, who I now consider to have very poor taste in books..

Seriously, not my kind of humour, didn’t even find it amusing.

[David Blaylock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last lines of the book made me make a snorting sound out loud.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining short story in the universe of The Android's Dream. I bet if I were a golfer, I would have been even more entertained.

[alan gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny stuff

Scalding is a very funny person and, in my book, that is a quality as rare as it is wonderful,