The Android's Dream

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

A human diplomat creates an interstellar incident when he kills an alien diplomat in a most unusual way. To avoid war, Earth's government must find an equally unusual object: A type of sheep ("The Android's Dream"), used in the alien race's coronation ceremony.

To find the sheep, the government turns to Harry Creek, ex-cop, war hero and hacker extraordinaire, who with the help of Brian Javna, a childhood friend turned artificial intelligence, scours the earth looking for the rare creature. And they find it, in the unknowing form of Robin Baker, pet store owner, whose genes contain traces of the sheep DNA. But there are others with plans for the sheep as well: Mercenaries employed by the military. Adherents of a secret religion based on the writings of a 21st century science-fiction author. And alien races, eager to start a revolution on their home world and a war on Earth.

To keep our planet from being enslaved, Harry will have to pull off the greatest diplomatic coup in history, a grand gambit that will take him from the halls of power to the lava-strewn battlefields of alien worlds. There's only one chance to get it right, to save the life of Robin Baker - and to protect the future of humanity.

©2006 John Scalzi (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"With plenty of alien gore to satisfy fans of military SF and inventive jabs at pretend patriotism and self-serving civil service, Scalzi delivers an effervescent but intelligent romp." ( Publishers Weekly)

My favorite Scalzi book.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I've already recommended this book to many people.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Android's Dream?

It comes out of the gate swinging... nothing gets my attention like death by flatulence!

Which character – as performed by Wil Wheaton – was your favorite?

Wil's voices aren't all that different from one another, yet he remains one of my favorite readers. Especially in books like this and Ready Player One. He just "Fits"

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed quite a bit

Any additional comments?

It's funny, it's smart, it has heart attack induced by farts... A must listen!

Good but bogged down with detail

I enjoyed the characters and overall story of this book, but I feel that the story was 50% plot/character building and 50% intricate, tech-speak, and mostly unnecessary detail that would cause a loss in momentum and made it hard to follow the story, especially in audio form. That said, under all the fluff was a very interesting and action packed story.

Fantastic

loved it. Will Wheaton gives a fantastic performance!. The story is incredibly imaginative and compelling.

Clever story and very funny

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this story. Very clever idea about the sheep and not really all that crazy of an idea the way genetics and science is going these days(once you listen to the story you'll understand what I mean). Plus I got the joke about the androids dream from the beginning since I had read the Phillip K. Dick novel years ago. My only concern was about Wil Wheaton doing the narration, I had never heard any of his work outside of the obvious TV stuff, but he did a great job making the different voices interesting. The thing I loved the most about the story was the humor. I looked at several reviews on audible and on amazon, and I honestly can't understand why people complained about, I felt it really added to the story. After listening to this book, I look forward to getting more books from John Scalzi. Overall is the book a Hugo award nominee, no, but it's a great listen and IMHO, very funny.

SOOO FUN!!!!!

I haven't been this engrossed in a story for AGES! And in this COVID/CA burning to the ground/BLM days, to be lost for a few hours is a precious, powerfully restoring gift.

The story has humor, a complex story (too complex at times and I had to create a character cheat-sheet to get me past the first chapter), likable characters, interesting and multi-dimensional characters, a blessed absence of clichés, and twists galore! I'm one that spots where a scene or sometimes even a book is going and I bore easily. I was absolutely engrossed in this story and didn't see a blooming twist coming. I got side-blinded every time and was so happy about it!

The jacket blurb almost turned me off before I started listening. The fart reference made me wonder if this would be sophomoric humor, but it is actually incredibly clever, and the reference to Douglas Adams. Douglas Adams is one of my favorite authors and no books can ever live up to him. I would say that the reference to Douglas Adams is understandable and I see how the connection was made, but they're very different and talented story tellers in their own way. Adams is more of an absurdist while I'd call this book more deadpan.

Highly enthusiastically recommended!

Absolutely fantastic

I like Scalzi’s work but I think this is his best. Listen and I think you’ll agree.

my 1st Scalzi

This was my 1st John Scalzi book and I was immediately struck by his similarity to a couple of other classic science fiction writers. That being said his approach to classic tropes was unique and very interesting! I have since read many others of his books and he has never disappointed me !
Will Wheatons narration was excellent as usual...

John Scalzi and Will Wheaton are a perfect match

woopity scoop scoopity woop woopity scoop poop dis ish is dope characters get lucky a lot tho

Funny, clever

I think this may the funniest SiFi I’ve ever read. Right up there with the best Douglas Adams. I would give it 7 stars if I could!

PKD FANS, it might be similar

I really enjoy Scalia's writing. Just enough humor. Questions sentienticity in a fun way.