Alan Dean Foster
Lost and Found : A Novel (2004)
Author: Alan Dean Foster
Genre: Science Fiction (Storyteller Focus)
Plot Summary:
Marcus Walker is a successful Chicago commodities trader camping in the Sierra Nevadas when he is kidnapped by aliens. Desperate and depressed aboard the Vilenjji spaceship, he meets a fellow captive from Earth – a stray dog. The mutt, George, has been given a brain boost by their hostile captors, and with the aid of universal translators that allow all creatures to communicate, they become friends. They meet fellow captives from bizarre worlds, and discover that they are simply “inventory” to be sold as curiosities to the highest bidder. With the help of their new friends, Sque, a highly intelligent yet haughty octopus-like creature and Braouk, a tentacled, violent, haiku-spouting giant, they plot their successful escape only to find themselves stranded on the other side of the galaxy with no idea which direction home lies.
Geographical Setting: Begins in Bug Jump, California, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Most of the story takes place in outer space on board the Valenjji slave-trading ship, but it ends up on the planet Seremathenn
Time Period: present day - 2004
Series: First book in the Taken Trilogy
Appeal Characteristics:
Humorous and wisecracking in tone, but the humor is not very sophisticated (you’ve got a talking dog – of course there are butt-sniffing jokes) that would appeal to young men/teenagers. Fast paced and plot driven. The science aspect of the story is very ‘soft’ and it is mainly focused on action. It would appeal to people who like a basic suspense story of escape – this one just happens to be set in outer space. The characters are pretty black and white with the captors being simply evil and the captives are all good. Would definitely appeal to dog lovers, especially those who suspect their dogs are smart. The setting is outer space on a spaceship. Might also appeal to people interested in Chicago and commodities trading (bit of stretch). The writing style is very accessible and told in the third person.
Similar Authors: Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett (some might disagree as T. Pratchett is more satirical than humorous.) Piers Anthony
Red Flags: None really – some sophomoric dog humor regarding butt-sniffing and peeing on legs
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