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.

Very funny (at the beginning)

Any additional comments?

This is a good listen. The first half is extremely funny if you know anything about the original Star Trek. The second half seemed to be "how do I salvage a very good beginning of a book." It's fine though and helps bring the story around. A little transparent but still good. At the end there are three "coda's." These I could have done without. Wil Wheaton was pretty good as a narrator, I must say. And because of the story line, he was the right choice.

Surprisingly good

Mostly a funny and witty take on the trekkie genre, but with a surprisingly heartfelt ending. I thoroughly recommend it.

Enjoyable

I was interested by the concept of Redshirts. The obvious draw to this book is for Star Trek fans. However, it isn't a Star Trek book. It's more like a fan-fiction spin-off that makes fun of itself for being a spin-off. It's written with tongue-in-cheek drama and humor, and the main story-line follows this line of thought. The three Codas at the end, however, deal with some of the quandries that the whole concept of the main story creates. They take a more thoughtful and introspective approach.

Wil Wheaton does a fine job narrating as usual, and if you like him, I'd also highly recommend his reading of "Ready Player One," as it's particularly fun to listen to him as the narrator reading a book referencing himself.

Ever laughed about 'Redshirts' in Star Trek?

The tendency for 'redshirts' to be killed during an away mission in Star Trek is a classic Trecker's joke, but it takes someone with the talent for humourous Si-Fi, like John Scalzi, to transform that meme into a great story. Scalzi is among the most versatile Si-Fi writers I have read, with works covering a range of serious to comedic, with stand-alones and series. This 2012 novel follows a group of Redshirts, not on the Enterprise, but on one with a casualty rate on away missions that's about as high--and a lot of people take steps to avoid going on away missions with the bridge team. It doesn't make sense until someone has a crazy idea... The voice of Will Wheaton, who reads the audiobook and is one of my favourite narrators, makes the book more enjoyable.

The philosophy fiction in part 2 is great

Part one is fine - it's a nice story, not great, not bad.

But it's just the setup - the wind-up and pitch for the real meat of the book, the big philosophy questions in part 2.

What makes you who you are? What does it mean to find happiness? Are you making something worthwhile out of your life, or are you just killing time, hoping that one day your life "really" starts? How will it feel to get to the end and realize you wasted your time on Earth waiting for life to happen to you?

Red Shirts really earns the right to ask these questions.

Will needs to do voices

Its very hard to tell who is talking as there is no change in voice between characters. Sorry Will, you gotta bring up your narration game.

Not just a Hack

I just finished this book and I had tears in my eyes. In the beginning I thought this would be some kind of fun Trek rip-off with a terrible story. the longer you read it the better it gets, and the Codas make the book. Read it ALL!!

it was a fun ride. I very much enjoyed it!

as a child growing up watching some OG star trek, and the other series, this was nistolgic and a very enjoyable experience for me.

YES!

I typically read multi book series (The expanse, Expeditionary Force, etc) I wanted something shorter to fill in the gap between books. This is so cheesy and corny sci-fi that it's perfect! really an enjoyable listen and once you let go of the hard core sci-fi nerd in you, this is great.

Funny, stupid, I love it

Just the bit of humorous stupidity I needed to keep me sane during covid. Not my first listen to Scalzi or Wheaton, so I knew what I was getting into in terms of narration style (not a lot of voice acting) and writing style (he said, she said). Neither of which bother me a bit. Will be an easy re-listen.