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)

Bizarre but super fun listen.

Wil Wheaton does an excellent job as narrator. Giving life to all the characters. The story was placed well leaving the listener wanting more.

Too much tough-guy smart aleck dialogue

Sci fi theme: can prophesies come into reality if enough people collectively work to bring it about?
OK story line, but dialogue between main characters suffers from too much tough-guy smart aleck style and is often shallow and vapid. Gets good in the last third where events supersede dialog.

Almost as good as fuzzy nation

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

Scalzi and Wheaton turn in another excellent piece of entertainment

What did you like best about this story?

The protagonists

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

Preferred fuzzy nation and agent to the stars

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

Made me laugh

Classic Scalzi and a great listen!

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

Yes, and I have. This book was well written and the narrator is easy to listen to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harry Creek, basically the main character, he is the hero and I enjoyed folowing on his journey to save Robin.

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

Yes, part of the reason I went ahead with this Scalzi book was because of the narrator. I am familiar with Wheaton and always seize the opportunity to grab his narrations.

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

"The fart heard 'round the galaxy!"

Funny and creative

Would you consider the audio edition of The Android's Dream to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print. I am a huge audio book listener. I loved listening to this one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not sure if I had a favorite character.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene in the beginning with the fart machine in the conference room.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

Loved it

Loved every minute!

Where does The Android's Dream rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely up there as one of my favourites.

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

The courtroom scene!

Any additional comments?

A fast paced, clever and very amusing listen with a great narration, delivered as always, by Wil Wheaton that very quickly immerses you in a wonderfully constructed world of the future.

good twist to adventure-alien stories!

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

Yes! You will have a good adventurous time listening to this story

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

the spy! no need to spoil anything else

Which scene was your favorite?

the one at the mall, well narrated full action scene!

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

not one, but just a few, couldn't let go!

What a ride

John Scalzi masterfully takes a reader (a listener) on an interplanetary adventure. It’s got it all - action, intrigue, politics, multiple alien species, plot twists, and more. Sarcasm is light and there’re many opportunities to laugh at us humans. Or at least smile.

Wil’s performance is very clear and passionate. One thing I’d improve is a better rendition of various character voices. Some are great, some are too similar to each other.

Overall I highly recommend this listen. Go ahead, have a blast.

A good scifi story with plenty of humour added in.

What made the experience of listening to The Android's Dream the most enjoyable?

Interesting and engaging story, hit enough tropes without going too far.

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

Murder via by talking out of their ass, literally.

What about Wil Wheaton’s performance did you like?

Pronunciation of the alien names so matter of factly, good understanding of the genre.

So much fun!

Any additional comments?

And a constant surprise. I had no idea what this book would be. In truth, it was the title that sold me. I didn't expect this exceptional book, but that's what you have here. Add to that Wil Wheaton's reading and this is a definite winner. If you like the unexpected, this is a must hear from all sic fi fans.