Redshirts

A Novel with Three Codas

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship’s Xenobiology laboratory. Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the facts that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces; (2) the ship’s captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations; and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.

Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expended on avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is…and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.

©2012 John Scalzi (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

So Disappointed

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The inane dialogue, the narration, and the fact that I bought it.

If you’ve listened to books by John Scalzi before, how does this one compare?

This was a major disappointment, John is a talented writer, this book felt off from the beginning as if he struggled to find his voice, he never did

How did the narrator detract from the book?

WIl is a gifted narrator who has a nuanced narration style I like and respect. This reading felt like a forced march to monotony by someone almost angry to be doing the work. I lasted 15 minutes before I turned it off and decided to return the book. All of the voices sounded the same.

Could you see Redshirts being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Didn't get far enough to care.

Any additional comments?

I will read more Scalzi and listen to more Wheaton. This book is clearly a disastrous anomaly from two very talented people.

Clever, has an intricate plot and sly humor

Very enjoyable way to be entertained with a sci-fi story with a current culture / television programming twist.

Excellent story, witty and fun!

What did you love best about Redshirts?

The entire thing was just hilarious and witty. Wil Wheaton's performance (as always) is brilliant, and in this case it's also amusing on its own because of his background in Star Trek.

The point of the book is absolutely awesome, I kept thinking I know where this is going and how it ends, and the author repeatedly surprised me, laughing and shaking my head all the way to the end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Redshirts?

Without giving any spoilers, I loved the start, and the first red-shirt's thoughts as whatever happens to him happens. Brilliant, and an awesome start to the book.

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

He's always great, and this one is no different.

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

YES! I couldn't stop, and when it ended, I wanted more.

Any additional comments?

John Zcalzi is an amazing writer, I recommend all of his books, especially in audio as they are read by the amazing Wil Wheaton. Can't get any better than that.

Well, it can... when he publishes another book. Can't wait!

Use caution if you listen in public

Very few audiobooks actually make me chuckle or laugh out loud. I am not talking about the LOL abbreviation that is so commonly used, but you stop what you are doing, regardless of circumstance, and laugh. Yes the humor is a little cheesy at times, and dry all of the time. It was a fun, lighthearted story. Don't take it too seriously.

My only criticism is the editing. Just because lines in the book end with "he said." or "she asked." doesn't mean that needs to be vocalized. I know he said it. I just heard it. You can indicate that she asked it by the rising tone at the end of the phrase. A sort of verbal question mark. It gets distracting.

Hillarious, but Codas Unneccessary

Redshirts is a phenomenally funny and compelling story. It's nothing inherently new, though it is the first to admit that, but it does a sort of post-modern sci-fi referential comedy book perfectly. As always, Wheaton does a perfect job with the narration, On the whole, I would completely recommend this to anyone, regardless of whether they're Star Trek fans, but with the caveat that while the codas are fun and creative, they are ultimately irrelevant. They cover things that you don't necessarily wonder about, having already answered those questions in the story, and introduce quite a few new characters. Still, completely worth it!

Speaks to the Geek in All of Us

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I thought it was just a novelty with the theme being red shirts and being read by Wil Wheaton. In reality I got deeply involved with the story and the imagery.

Great

Would you consider the audio edition of Redshirts to be better than the print version?

I could not wait for this book to come out. For anyone that is a fan of Star Trek the original series this book is for you. It's not connected with that great show, but it's easy to see where the ideas came from. It was a lot of fun. Best of all, it went in a completely different direction that I anticipated. I was not disappointed at all. If you listen to this book, place you tongue firmly in your cheek.

Positively Hilarious

What did you love best about Redshirts?

This story makes me want to go back at rewatch all the past Star Trek episodes. The wit is hilarious and the plot totally crazy. The whole premise of the book will keep you in stitches as the story develops. Also, it highlights just how bad televised entertainment truely is.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Doll was my favorite although I enjoyed Duvall's character just as much. Both their wit and comebacks to the different situations that they encounter.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Fitz dies and his last words are "this is ridiculous." Gotta love it.

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

To go back to where no man has gone before..

Redshirts

The premise is simple enough: What if Star Trek's legions of disposable extras became aware that they lived only to serve the dramatic requirements of Captain Kirk's adventures? That they were born, and died, simply because a script declared it must be so?

Like any good story, though, the simple premise becomes weirder, more complex, and more fun the further one delves. How would a person's backstory relate? How would someone come into possession of knowledge that directly contravenes past experience, or even laws of nature? And the most important question of all: What happens when the Redshirt says, "enough is enough" and decides to put an end to Death in the Name of Fiction?

As in his previous books, Scalzi's writing in Redshirts will rarely wow the reader with the power of its prose. The main story in particular is written in a flat, dialog-heavy style that must be a stylistic choice; the titular codas are written in far more expressive and emotional language. That disconnect is Redshirts' greatest weakness: for a novel which ultimately lampoons and decries bad writing, it contains more than its fair share. But setting aside the jarring stylistic choice, the story has a heart to go along with its belly laughs. The well-worn tropes of TV Science Fiction are lovingly laid out, polished and admired even as we, along with Scalzi, roll our collective eyes. And once the novel reaches its codas--three stories that explore the "real-world" implications of the fictional premise--the book stops grasping for laughs and lays bare its heart: that the power of stories come in our reactions to them, and that even the worst (in every sense of the word) stories are catalysts for powerful personal change.

In the audiobook version, Wil Wheaton once again sits behind the mic to narrate, and the results are much as before. Wheaton's earnest, comfortable delivery brings the dialog to life, although his lack of vocal characterization can sometimes make it difficult to determine which character is speaking.

Given the book's target audience, Redshirts is destined to become a geek favorite, but its relevance extends far beyond the realms of nerd love and fan fiction. The book asks interesting and important questions, suggests some answers, and then steps back to let us think about them on our own time.

Glade I heard it.

Would you try another book from John Scalzi and/or Wil Wheaton?

Being a big Trek Fan I am glade I heard it. Just have to say like another writer I will not mention, the story gets a bit winded towards the end.It keeps you going all the way to last couple of chapters then you (I anyhow) kind of felt like "OK finish it already."Not being a writer myself I have read a few writers that seem to drag out at the end so I can live with it.I Liked it over all.

What did you like best about this story?

Cannot say as it might be a Spoiler Alert. Trek Style with twist.

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

No. I might give another story a read to see how he does.

Was Redshirts worth the listening time?

Yeah

Any additional comments?

I am a bit of a cynic. Might explain the 3 overall rating.