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.

Appeals to more than just Star Trek fans

Where does Redshirts rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Redshirts relates to the Star Trek environment but takes it further and looks at the Redshirt type character and what happens before and after what takes place on the TV show.

What other book might you compare Redshirts to and why?

Has elements from the movie Stranger Than Fiction, but also classic Sci-Fi elements

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

Wil Wheaton is a great narrator and brings the characters to life, he was equally good in Fuzzy Nation, also by John Scalzi

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

Yes, I actually listened to this on a long car ride and continued listening after I got home

Any additional comments?

Fun to watch this universe as you learn more about it

Good Story. Great Narration.

Any additional comments?

Redshirts is one of the most Meta-Meta tales I have ever heard. It was a fun romp and very well written. It read like a cross between Star Trek and Red Dwarf: Back to Earth. The fact that Trek Alum Wil Wheaton was providing the excellent narration added a whole new level of Meta to the Meta-Meta. All around, it was good for a few laughs while bathing in the existential dilemmas of fictional science fiction characters.

Good book, not great but good

I enjoyed the first 95% of this book but I think I'm going to have to listen to the last few chapters again. The author completely lost me at the end.

Either way not a waist of time or credit.

Great for getting ready for STD and the Orville

Better than I thought it would be. I noticed in STD and the Orville that decks 6-12 actually happens.

Scalzi psy-fi fun

What did you like about this audiobook?

Fun read. Scalzi puts the psy in science-fiction. Engaging chartacters in insane scenarios. Have you ever felt like your in a bad play? Scalzi takes a new perspective on the space ship centered sci-fi series.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

Scalzi reminds us that stretching your imagination can have great results.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Will Wheaton's performance adds an ironic twist.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Wheaton failed however to give the 'narrative' a properly dramatic flare.

Do you have any additional comments?

I look forward to more pure entertainment from John Scalzi.

Everyone needs to laugh sometime at the quirks in life. If you like nursery tale mysteries (Jasper Forde) and Old Man's War, you'll love this. NOT for the really SERIOUS sci-
-fi fan.

If you don't understand the title, don't bother

However, if you DO get the meaning of the title, you will find this book to be deliciously cheap thrill. These are the voyages of the starship Intrepid. A fun read.

You don't need to be a Trekkie to enjoy this book.

I got this book because it was narrated by Wil Wheaton, and I liked the main concept of the story, wasn't expecting much.

What I got was a wonderfully meta, thought provoking, and ultimately tear jerking story that good ol' Wil delivers with a passion.

little nit picky things like the clunky diolouge are forgiven by the end, considering the ammout of laughs this book got out of me.

Loved it!

Loved this! Fun and touching. Easy read but entertaining. Had me laughing and chocked up at times.

Dorky fun reality crossover scifi

i listen while I work. i think having Wil Wheaton read it enriched my experience, having been a Star Trek, the Next Generation fan, and having enjoyed the writing of most episodes. without further exploration, I imagine that this story is fan fiction from a writer of another series (like Firefly). it's sort of like one of those schlock holodeck episodes if TNG, but I enjoyed it.

Good story, but....

I really enjoyed the story, the plot, and the ending. BUT, there was way too many “He said...” “She said....” (Insert character name) said...” It really interrupted the flow of the story for me. The editor should have cut out half of them.
But I did like the story.