Simply a classic, and probably the best book that Clifford Simak ever wrote. It's short (particularly compared to modern novels), but fun, funny, and deeply enjoyable. The blending of fantasy and advanced science was not invented by Simak, but he handled it wonderfully well here. Not only is this a classic of fantasy and science fiction, but I consider it to be one of the funnier books in both genres as well!

I can imagine that some might find the relatively second-class status of the heroine offensive, although I would argue that Simak is not being sexist.

Charm, and ordinary human emotion; unlike many other genre writers of his day, Simak handled both well. His characters are amusing and sympathetic, but they are rarely cruel or unmotivated. I've often regretted that The Goblin Reservation wasn't longer (and that Simak never wrote a sequel - what a fascinating setting he created here! A modern publisher would have FORCED him to write sequels until he'd burned out completely). But at least we have this light but deeply enjoyable novel to read and re-read.