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.

Fan-freakin'-tastic

Would you listen to Redshirts again? Why?

Campy, complex, fun main novel plus three tender, involved, emotionally mature codas blend to create a book I am recommending to anybody who will listen.

What does Wil Wheaton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Not only is Wheaton a fantastic actor, his geek cred lends a level of authenticity that another voice actor just wouldn't bring.

Any additional comments?

One thought kept interrupting my enjoyment of this book "WHEN will they make a movie out of this?!?!"

Great writing, weak material

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Story needs to be better plotted. It needs a villain or a fool. Everyone in the story is so rational and smart. For farces like this, readers need a joker of some kind.

Would you be willing to try another book from John Scalzi? Why or why not?

Am one of his biggest fans. Will read anything he writes. This book is a writing workshop exercise that brought "meh" to the reader.

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

Fantastic. That was THE Wil Wheaton? Never would have known.

Was Redshirts worth the listening time?

Meh.

Any additional comments?

Fans of Scalzi will find the usual great writing, transparent prose, and philosophical SciFi and Political SciFi that we expect from such a great writer. The story, which looks like it came out of a writing workshop exercise, could have used a little more randomness to it. It needed either a villain or a joker because the plot was a little too predictable.

Scalzi is this century's Asimov. His great writing will eventually overwhelm the petty critics and be recognized as some of the most important in SF.

Loved it

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

Wil Wheaton reading a story about self aware trek type personel who have realised that if you go on an away mission and arent one of the chosen few you will die and horribly. And probably pointlessly. If you like trek next gen and are aware of the red shirt mythos you cant help but be curious. For me John Scalzi delivers the goods with the story Wil wipes the floor with his delivery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Redshirts?

Finishing with multiple perspectives was a bit of a jolt but made it feel complete by the end.

What about Wil Wheaton’s performance did you like?

A drunken Kransky discussing his numerous near death events.

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

Totally wanted to listen from beginning to end. Damn my life interupting!

Any additional comments?

Will be listening again today.

Dissapointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This was a disappointing read for me, given how much I enjoyed his other books.

Would you be willing to try another book from John Scalzi? Why or why not?

I'd consider reading another, but would be hesitant, given how disappointing Red Shirts was.

An Affectionate Skewering of Space Opera!

Not only does John Scalzi deliver an affectionate skewering of the space opera genre in general (and Star Trek, specifically), but in the manner in which his audience has come to expect, he exceeds the premise and goes totally meta on us--and to wonderfully funny and touching results. His pal, Wil Wheaton's reading is perfection itself. And given Wil's ST:TNG connection AND that Red Shirts is dedicated in part to him, Wheaton's narration deftly underscores the meta-meta theme of the book. Bravo to both of them!

Deeper than I expected, but not as funny

John Scalzi has a reputation for writing funny sci-fi, but while I find his books interesting and fun, I have never found them actually be laugh-out-loud funny. Granted, his premises are quite humorous... and I did crack a smile now and then... but I wanted more.

Part of the problem is that the movie Galaxy Quest covered the same ground with the character "Guy" being the self-aware redshirt. But when Galaxy Quest did it, it was far more hilarious.

That being said, I still strongly recommend this story. It is unquestionably fun, and far more thoughtful and interesting than I'd expected. It wasn't the novel I thought it was going to be, but it was a very good little tale.

Also Wil Wheaton does a fantastic job narrating, as always.

Redshirts

The book was quite funny and interesting to begin with - I kept picturing certain other sci-fi characters in the places of the command team ;) - but it got weirdly serious about half way through and there were about two hours in which I lost interest almost completely. Considering it's only 7.5 hours long (6 discounting the codas) this is a serious flaw. It does pick up again towards the end of the main story though.

The characters are a bit one-dimensional. I know they're supposed to be Redshirts, and one of the main characteristics of Redshirts is their lack of character, but it makes it difficult to care too much about any of them.

Wil Wheaton is an interesting person and I understand why he was used for this book given his history, but he is only an average narrator.

X said, Y said, X asked, Y said, Z said, it said. God, I don't know if it's the way Wheaton said "said" in exactly the same tone every single time, or if Mr Scalzi just really overused the word, but I found it to be very invasive.

Don't give up on the third coda, if you make it that far. It's overly dramatic and soppy, but there's a payoff at the end.

Great Story on the old Star Trek joke

I really enjoyed Scalzi's take on the joke about Red Shirts fate on the original Star Trek crew. The main story is humors and entertaining. The Codas then add a depth to the characters that take the book to a new level. Wil Wheaton brings the characters to life and is a great choice to narrate the book.

John Scalzi and Wil Wheaton! Enough said!

Would you listen to Redshirts again? Why?

I would. Especially the 3 Codas at the end! What starts off as being a funny tongue in cheek nod to sci-if lovers, ends with 3 thought provoking stories that added a whole new dimension to the book. That's why the title is Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas.

Any additional comments?

Wil Wheaton is such a fun narrator! I will listen to anything he narrates! The Scalzi-Wheaton team rocks!

Simply brilliant

What did you love best about Redshirts?

Ok, simply might not be the word for this book. It's complicated. It's very well thought out and stated in terms that anyone can understand. I won't give anything away, but the premise is brilliant. Fans of Star Trek or any other sci-fi TV show will love this book.

What does Wil Wheaton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Wil has amazing character in his voice. I am always impressed with his enthusiasm for the story and he is always able to deliver the funny lines in just the right way and becomes frantic when the characters are freaking out.

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

I busted my gut laughing while listening to this. Probably shouldn't have been driving when I was listening to it...