The Stainless Steel Rat

Stainless Steel Rat, Book 1

By: Harry Harrison

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award, Science Fiction and Fantasy, 2011

DiGriz is caught during one of his crimes and recruited into the Special Corps. Boring, routine desk work during his probationary period results in his discovering that someone is building a battleship, thinly disguised as an industrial vessel. In the peaceful League no one has battleships anymore, so the builder of this one would be unstoppable.

DiGriz' hunt for the guilty becomes a personal battle between himself and the beautiful but deadly Angelina, who his planning a coup on one of the feudal worlds. DiGriz' dilemma is whether he will turn Angelina over to the Special Corps, or join with her, since he has fallen in love with her.

©2010 Harry Harrison (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Not as good as I remembered

I read these books as a kid and loved them. Maybe I just hadn't read any good literature to compare it to. Hearing them now, I realized they are way too predictable and simple. Premise is awesome. Storytelling is weak.

Great!

Would you listen to The Stainless Steel Rat again? Why?

I read this book in high school. I still have my original copy although the front cover is a part of ritz box and held together with duct tape. I bought it for old times sake and it was every bit as good as I remembered.

So so to good

It took a bit but I did start to like it but not as much as I hoped.

Recycled pulp tricked-out with 1950s futurism

It's impressive how few modifications were required to transport the quintessential hard-boiled detective to an intergalactic landscape. This book has aged with so little grace that it has passed all the way through awkwardness and become merely "quaint" (and perhaps a bit charming).

An all-time classic

Where does The Stainless Steel Rat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is above average.

What did you like best about this story?

Slippery jim is one of the best rogue characters of all time.

Which character – as performed by Phil Gigante – was your favorite?

Slippery Jin, of course.

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

The title of the book, says it all

Any additional comments?

Keep in mind the book was published in 1961 and is a compilation of two short stories from the late 1950's so it's a bit dated. It holds up superbly as a story. Plus it's about the only book where you'll hear about Esperanto.

Escapist Heaven!

Witty, Crisp, Funny, Intelligent. How've I missed this guy (by nearly 50 years)! It's Happy Harry Harrison being smarter than your average space-crook!
I want more.

Oh, Brother!

Recently I decided to catch up on my Sci-Fi reading since I am now finished with the Dresden Files series (sniff). This has got to be the hokiest science fiction I ever read (heard)! I decided to buy it because it was included on classic sci fi lists I've reviewed on the web. This is the first book of the series so the majority of the story was setting up characters; however, it was a very predictable story. Of course, the books were written in the 60's when this genre was new. Even so, I won't be buying any more installments of this series.

DiGriz grows on you.

I'm a sucker for a criminal hero, and DiGriz is one smooth criminal. This was the oldest item on my wishlist (1 year) when I came into some discounts and finally got it. It's a little short a credit, and was a little too expensive for straight cash. I suspect I'll be getting the next book in the series much faster.

Perfect entertainment!

I got this book during one of the sales thinking "What the heck". I now love the series and will be sad when I am finished with it. I also figure it will be perfect for my boys (ages 14 & 15) as well - still action/adventure without the bad language that seems to permeate so many books and movies today. The narrator is perfect for the book and I am glad he is continuous in the series.

Slippery Jim makes a comeback

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

Harrison's

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Stainless Steel Rat?

The shock in Jim's voice as he is shot dead by his wily foe is priceless.

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

A fine adventure story, best consumed as a seriel, I think: you'll want to savour it over several days.