Redshirts

Staff Pick

I don't reread books often; I just don't have the time. But this is one book that will get reread annually, if not more often. While the bulk of Redshirts is a comedic romp that gleefully skewers the conventions of sci-fi television, the three codas at the end provide depth and poignancy to what has gone before.
Recommended by Billie Bloebaum, Powell's Books at PDX

If you're seeking formulaic and uninteresting fan fiction, then this is not the book for you. But if you're looking for adventure, romance, and death-by-ice sharks, then John Scalzi's your man. Ensign Andrew Dahl is assigned to the Intrepid, a laudable starship with a nasty reputation for death and chaos. Low-ranking officers are always, always the first to die on away missions. The bizarre and surprising truth behind all the flagellations and vaporizations defies time and reality, and Scalzi uses first-, second-, and third-person narration to stunning effect. It'll be on your Top 5 list, too. Pinky swear.
Recommended by Jordan G., Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Synopsis:

About the Author

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!

Average customer rating based on 3 comments:

HCNewton, January 30, 2013 (view all comments by HCNewton)
This warmed the cockles of my Geek Heart like no book since Ready Player One. I'm not sure how much I can say without getting into spoiler territory, but I'll try.

It starts off as a funny--but obvious--Star Trek parody, where all the lower ranking crewmen are terrified to go on away missions, for fear of getting killed in stupid and/or horrible ways. Entertaining enough, but...after a couple of chapters, I started to worry this gag was going to get really old over 300 pages.

Which is when Scalzi shook things up by a clever spoilery twist, which he followed quickly by another spoilery twist. And before I knew it, this had become a serious SF book with a comic flair. The codas at the end turn this from a fun adventure into something with a lot of heart and soul--and even more cleverness than the large amount displayed in the main body of the novel.

I so less-than-three this book. Go and read

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

report this comment

Catskimmer, January 29, 2013 (view all comments by Catskimmer)
This book is a really fun read. I loved the concept and play on the old Star Trek show themes.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

report this comment

code7r, June 15, 2012 (view all comments by code7r)
"Redshirts" by John Scalzi is a fun read, especially for those who enjoy science fiction shows like Star Trek, Bablyon 5 or Stargate. The story is about the crew on board the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid. The main character, Ensign Andrew Dahl, notices fairly quickly that things are a little strange when he gets reassigned to the Intrepid. The upper command keeps going on weird away missions where at least one crew member tends to get killed. This crew member usually being a redshirt, which refers to the original Star Trek series where an unknown crew member, in a red shirt, is usually offed off in the beginning of an episode.

This is a fun read that pokes fun at bad science fiction shows. It is quick paced and keeps the reader engaged. I recommend it to all those science fiction fans who enjoy a little cheesiness with their stories.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

report this comment

View all 3 comments

Product Details

ISBN:

9780765334794

Subtitle:

A Novel with Three Codas

Author:

Scalzi, John

Publisher:

Tor Books

Subject:

Science Fiction and Fantasy-A to Z

Subject:

Science / General

Copyright:

2013

Edition Description:

Trade paper

Publication Date:

20130115

Binding:

Electronic book text in proprietary or open standard format

Language:

English

Pages:

320

Dimensions:

8.25 x 5.5 in