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)

A fantastic listen

I'm a huge Patton Oswalt fan, and this book did not disappoint. Part life insights, part autobiography, entirely enjoyable. I love how his mind works, and it was a treat to listen to his narration. Sadly I must now admit that I've become that friend who forces people to listen to snippets of my audiobook...

Gold.

Whats there to say, Patton is a hell of a writer and equally funny. Dont expect a consistent path, just enjoy the ride.

Boxless

I really don't like zany riffs about hobos. I didn't like it when John Hodgeman did it. And I don't like it in this book either. What is it about thirtysomething dudes and hobos?

I LOVED the section about working as a comedian in the middle of nowhere with a coke fiend for a boss. That part made me wish, more than anything, that Patton Oswalt had done this book in a box. If written as a fairly linear, or at least thematic narrative about his early days as a comedian, I would have loved it all. He would have Killed it in that box.

The out of the box (very arty, gen x male) stuff, I don't like so much.

Except the part about dungeons and dragons. I've tried all my life to get guys to explain dungeons and dragons to me. They always refuse (probably because a. they know I won't be able to keep the snotty expression off my face and b. they want to reserve the right to sleep with me in the event of some horrible disaster.) Patton Oswalt - freed from such considerations - does an extremely throrough job of explaining it, and I really appreciate that.

This is a very funny book!

A solid raunchy romp through the author's life. Laughs throughout. Don't let the Zombie tag fool you. This book is not about zombies from outer space set on gorging human flesh. From the recounting of his suburban teenage drunken angst set against the backdrop of an underground movie complex to dealing with a snot-nosed Canadian comedy club manager with chronic nasal drip, this little gem will crack you up. A welcome addition to my audio library.

Enjoyable and holds a really profound concept...

Lite-Spoiler (you are warned) - I really enjoyed this performance. It was playful and funny. He does a great job of letting you figure out parts of the story on your own. Also near then end when he comes to his conclusion over the coke head club owner, I found that truly profound. I really don't want to ruin it with saying what it is, but seriously it is truly a pearl of wisdom and I really mean that.

On the down side, the REM quotes early on are really over used and distract from the book. I was REALLY concerned they would run throughout the book, but I am glad it was only in the beginning.

I'm a wastelander...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Listen to this book! You won't regret it. Excellent stories and interesting theories about mankind, presented by an extraordinarily hilarious human being.

a little dull

A little dry, and not as funny as I expected. Kept me entertained for the most part though. Not my cup of tea

I enjoyed it

Would you listen to Zombie Spaceship Wasteland again? Why?

I've listened twice already- it's hilarious!

What did you like best about this story?

It's a memoir and I enjoyed taking the trip down memory lane

Have you listened to any of Patton Oswalt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I usually check out his stand up when I have the chance. He's a gifted storyteller and writer. I really liked the book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Oh, the title is awesome as it

An honest, intimate account of a comedian's life.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to a friend who enjoys Patton Oswalt's comedic style. If my friend enjoyed reflective childhood stories or tales of a struggling comedian, then I would definitely recommend it.

What did you like best about this story?

What I liked best about the story was Patton Oswalt's performance of the book; at times it seemed as if he was having a conversation with me while I listened. Oswalt's rapid-fire comedic style shows up immediately as he reads he introduction to the audiobook; this makes the book enjoyable to listen.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book had me laughing in parts; there were others where mostly I was surprised by the author's honesty and clarity in his stories.

I'm a Wasteland

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend it to my friends in comedy as well as non-comics looking for an opportunity to look inside a comedian's mind.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Reed is my favorite character. Since it's autobiographical, Patton should be my most favorite character. But this club manager he encountered is a fun new discovery.

Have you listened to any of Patton Oswalt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I had the privilege to see Patton as he developed his comic persona in the late 90's in the alternative comedy scene at Largo in Hollywood. This is a very personal book, and he treats his readers and audience as good friends that he's sharing his

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was particularly moved by The Hobo Songs, and the story about the comedy club in Canada.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book for the same reason I recommend Steve Martin's "Born Standing Up" -- it's a great peek into the world of a comic's life on the road and his creative process.