Zombie Spaceship Wasteland

A Book by Patton Oswalt

By: Patton Oswalt

Narrated by: Patton Oswalt

Length: 3 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Prepare yourself for a journey through the world of Patton Oswalt, one of the most creative, insightful, and hysterical voices on the entertain­ment scene today. Widely known for his roles in the films Big Fan and Ratatouille, as well as the television hit The King of Queens, Patton Oswalt—a staple of Comedy Central—has been amusing audiences for decades. Now, with Zombie Spaceship Wasteland, he offers a fascinating look into his most unusual, and lovable, mindscape.

Oswalt combines memoir with uproarious humor, from snow forts to Dungeons & Dragons to gifts from Grandma that had to be explained. He remem­bers his teen summers spent working in a movie Cineplex and his early years doing stand-up. Readers are also treated to several graphic elements, includ­ing a vampire tale for the rest of us and some greeting cards with a special touch. Then there’s the book’s centerpiece, which posits that before all young creative minds have anything to write about, they will home in on one of three story lines: zom­bies, spaceships, or wastelands.

Oswalt chose wastelands, and ever since he has been mining our society’s wasteland for perversion and excess, pop culture and fatty foods, indie rock and single-malt scotch. Zombie Spaceship Wasteland is an inventive account of the evolution of Patton Oswalt’s wildly insightful worldview, sure to indulge his legion of fans and lure many new admirers to his very entertaining “wasteland.”

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2011 Simon & Schuster (P)2011 Lord Loudoun, Inc

Critic reviews

"Patton Oswalt is a brilliant rarity; a relentlessly creative and original comic who is also a superb writer. If you don’t buy this book you are a fool and I will, I swear, fight you.” (Conan O’Brien)

Fans of Patton Oswalt’s standup comedy have always known he was a born writer at heart, and now here’s the proof. This is a surprisingly affecting, sincere and daresay vulnerable collection of essays, all keenly observed, always very funny.” (Dave Eggers)

“Perfect—I can describe Patton’s book the same way I describe his stand up—brilliant and prolific, I am slackjawed, amazed, and left feeling both inspired and fraudulent.” (Sarah Silverman)

“Patton Oswalt is among the funniest on-stage talking humans I am aware of, so it annoys me deeply that he is also an incredibly talented writer. It annoys me, but it does not surprise me. Every sentence in this book is funny (except for the sad ones), but it also brims with Oswalt-ian smarts and surprising poignancy.” (John Hodgman)

Too damned short...I want more!!!

I am a die-hard Patton Oswalt fan. This was a much more intimate look into the mind of an adorable mad-genius than his stand-up routines. I wish there would have been more.

Hilarous essays by Patton Oswalt

If you could sum up Zombie Spaceship Wasteland in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious Intelligent Gen-X

What did you like best about this story?

Oswalt's intelligent sense of humour.

What about Patton Oswalt’s performance did you like?

Since it is his own work, he really read it properly.

Funny and insightful

I never thought of myself as a spaceship before, but I guess that's what I've always been.

Not that spectacular . . .

I am a big fan of Patton Oswalt's stand up comedy and work. But this audiobook fails as a comedy album (I only laughed a couple of times) a biography (it has some interesting ancedotes but nothing really enthralling) or a collection of cultural observations (I would recommend Chuck Klosterman for that). But it is a rather cheap buy and would be good for a short road trip where you want something light that would not distract you from the driving or for HUGE Patton Oswalt fans.

For Patton fans

I find this book hard to describe where as on the macro level - it's somewhat incoherent. It's funny, it's real it's slap stick , it's sad - I guess the only thing i can point to is that if like me, you're a Patton Oswalt fan, then this book is for you

Definitely recommend this Audible Audio version as read by Patton Oswald himself who not only reads his book but occasionally makes comments about reading it.

Very good but not great

If you could sum up Zombie Spaceship Wasteland in three words, what would they be?

I'm a big Patton Oswalt fan. If you enjoy Patton's comedy than you will like this book. If you are not a Patton Oswalt fan than you may find it a bit dry at times.

Insightful and personal

The chapter about his uncle hit so close to home for me. if you love Patton's comedy you'll find a lot to love here and more.

Entertaining

It appeared as a long, almost stand-up version of Patton's youth. There were a lot of great references and good banter on Patton's part. Definitely enjoyable.

Loved it!

Would you listen to Zombie Spaceship Wasteland again? Why?

Possibly, but the caveat is that I rarely listen to books twice. But on the other hand, if I could listen to it for the first time again, I would do that!!!

What did you like best about this story?

It's personal and (seems to be) heartfelt.

Which character – as performed by Patton Oswalt – was your favorite?

Er....himself?

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could have, but I listen in the car and my trips are never that long.

Any additional comments?

Ok, finally I get to actually review this. I felt like he was sitting next to me in the car telling his stories--he was amazing at reading this. He also put a lot of effort into making the audio version of his book at least as good as the written version (I think it might have been better, given the music cuts and guest reader). I have liked Oswalt as a stand-up comedian and on TV and in movies, but wasn't sure if I cared enough for a memoir.Well, care about it. This is smart and amusing.

Great. Just Great.

I've listened to this book three times and I love each and every time. it's great. hes great. just great