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.

funny and meta at first but with dramatic codas

I liked the first half of the book but it seemed like the authors heart was in the 3 codas. the beggining farse was just a setup for the later part. still I enjoyed it and as always Will Weaten brings out the best in any material he reads.

Very Meta

Breaks the 3rd, 4th and any remaining walls. Having Will Wheaton as the narrator is even more ironic. Does a good job of keeping the story interesting despite knowing... I will not ruin the fun. Read it or listen to it yourself. Scalzi is in fine form. Wheaton seems to just get better and better. If you liked Galaxy Quest you will almost certainly like this one too. No, it's different. Stop trying to make me divulge the story. Just give it a listen.

fun

entertaining story, enjoyable as a Star Trek fan. I didn't enjoy the coda, found they were predictable

One of my favorite of the past few years

This story is very meta and self-referential for Star Trek or general science fiction fans, and anyone involved in television or screenplay writing will find it maybe a little uncomfortable. The story is very engaging, the premise interesting, and Will Wheaton's performance is not only great, but also serves to enhance the meta factor. Highly, highly recommended, can't believe I waited so long to experience this book.

So awesome.

This is like Star Trek meets the Orville meets galaxy quest. Freaking awesome and I recommend it to everyone.

Entertaining but not brilliant

Good book, went over some interesting existential points. Is it going to win book of the year? No. But still quite enjoyable.

“Too many saids,” she said.

Great story but I admit the constant use of “said” in the dialogue was a bit jarring. I noticed it less once I got more used to it, and I’m glad, because the story overall is entertaining.

It’s a Hugo Award winner…so why are you waiting?

First, I’m a big fan of Scalzi’s work, I’ve spent at least a hundred hours of my life doing menial tasks while my brain was checked into his universes. They’re fun, smart and always interesting. This one is no different, but something really smacked me in the face as incredibly annoying in this book, but if had nothing to do with the plot or characters or Will Wheaton’s always fun reading. It’s how the dialog is written, specifically, he said, how every character’s lines end in the same damn words, he said. When there’s another character talking, she said, it’s even worse, he said. Will does his best, he said, to not let it get too distracting, she said. But it is sooooo distracting, he said.

If the worst criticism I have to offer is that Mr. Scalzi could spend more effort using the ends of dialog lines to, I dunno, maybe add depth and description to otherwise cardboard-ish characters, then it’s not too bad. It’s still a fun book, but perhaps not his best work. I still think you should download it and read it, especially if you’d like another chance to enjoy the irony of listening to Will Wheaton play off his past (looking at you Ready Player One). So, do it, download and try to just not listen to it, he said.

the very best of meta sci-fi

I loved this book when it first came so when I saw that Will Wheaton was reading the audio version I had to give it a listen. I mean a Star Trek actor reading a book literally lampooning his own show? it doesn't get better.

the entire premise of Redshirts is that those one off extras in sci-fi shows are tired of being murdered every week for the pleasure of the viewing audience. it's hilarious and meta and everything a Star Trek nerd could want. it's also surprisingly emotional and insightful.

two notes on content:
not clean, much language and sexual innuendo. no actual smut though. you have been warned

the second note is on the writing quality. before audiobooks I was believer in said being invisible.
said is not invisible when Will Wheaton says it fifteen times a minute. please authors use action beats.

Will Wheaton is good actor he puts in a real performance in some places. However he is not a voice actor. do not expect each character to sound like a different person. It's worth it though to hear him read the section literally talking about the Enterprise.

Awesome and funny!

Will Wheaton was fantastic reading this. The story is great and between Wil Wheaton and the author I laughed several times. Definitely worth the time!