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.

Meh

The first 1/3 of plot was great-- mysterious, funny, exciting. A great parody to the Star Trek series. However, it all started to go downhill after the characters discovered what was happening to them. Somehow the characters became experts on how to solve their problem even though their evidence was short-handed and based on speculation (the author could have tried harder to convince us that their ideas came from logical reasoning). Once the characters acheive their goal, the book moves almost completely away from Star Trek and becomes a commentary on Sci Fi writing and metaphysics. The book loses its edge and humor by the end.

The plot twist was a disappointment. The story would have been much more interesting if it stuck to the Star Trek theme (I'm assuming the book's audience is mainly for trekkie fans anyway). I was expecting a story of the redshirts confronting their incompetent senior officers and gaining a sense of dignity on the ship. However, it did not play out that way.

Wheaton was an okay narrator, but his scene with the drunk officer was cringey. Sometimes his performance was over-the-top.

Overall, not a bad audiobook, but not something I would recommend.

Another great Scalzi novel!

Scalzi's style of writing is fun, easy, and hilarious! I loved this book and although the "he said, he said, she said" does get a little annoying, it's well worth it. This novel was fun and engaging up until the very end. Well worth the credit!

My first Scalzi book

Will not be my last. What a ride. A plunge into the deep end of metafiction. A fun, intriguing ride throughout.

And Wil Wheaton's narration was spot on. perfect for the story.

Greatest Meta book ever

new twist on time and space and reality travel. We need a movie on this ASAP. Read by the only choice anyone would have for the subject matter.

Cleaver but not what I expected

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story was ok from a sci fi point of view and cleaverly written but not what I was expecting as an avid Trek Fan from the 60's, I certainly expected red shirts to die in this novel and they did but to be "written off" so to speak from a 20th century writter as the premise for the book did not sit well with me

Would you recommend Redshirts to your friends? Why or why not?

Only those non die hard Trek Fans, i may be wrong since i read so many good reviews about the book (and the reason I listened in the first place), it just did not sit well with me and this was my first Scalzi novel

What three words best describe Wil Wheaton’s voice?

PG-13 rated Ensign Wesley Crusher

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

No the story is not well written enough for this, no way would i want to see 20th century writers fill the story line for a psuedo star trek universe

Any additional comments?

As many people wrote the book is well written and cleaver but if your looking for trek-esk sci fi adventure this book is not for you.....and I could of done without the codas...

Great story but....

The last few chapters were really annoying and i didn't enjoy them. when he says "from XXXXXXXXXX AW it is annoying! otherwise the book was great. Narration was great.

Even better the second time!

I was steered to this novel by a fellow Star Trek enthusiast and enjoyed it immensely the first time through several years ago. When I ran across the title again and reread it I found it was even better. Now I'm looking forward to a third time. . .

Fun

I'm not sure what I was expecting but it was a very fun novel. A lot of the thoughts you have while watching shows like Star Trek are addressed in the book. Wil Wheaton is very entertaining. The only problem I had with the book was all the "he said" "she said" in the book. But that's what happens with you have several main characters and are trying to address who is talking. Over all I would definitely recommend this book.

story flows and keeps your attention

What did you love best about Redshirts?

Story line was well written and kept me interested in what was next. Many twists and turns to the main line and after all said I did not want to put it down

Who was your favorite character and why?

Wil Weaton kept interest in the next step in solving what was happening to everyone and allowed the story to keep pace with events

What about Wil Wheaton’s performance did you like?

He was the story and the ending

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

You never know what stage we are playing on in our real lives

Any additional comments?

The reader should try and figure out what is happening in next chapter before listening to it. Surprises abound in this audio book

Amazing, hilarious, and sarcastic

Would you listen to Redshirts again? Why?

Yes! I love self aware characters that almost break the fourth wall.

What about Wil Wheaton’s performance did you like?

I was unsure if I would like Wil Wheaton's voice (he is the antagonizer in most of the sci-fi shows I watch) but he did phenomenal. He delivers the right amount of snark for each character as they figure out how ridiculous their lives have been while still maintaining an upbeat, funny story.

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

Red shirts have trouble avoiding death for a reason

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended for fans of the original Star Trek tv series