John Scalzi: Redshirts (German language, 2012)
432 pages
German language
Published Aug. 9, 2012
Fähnrich Andy Dahl heuert als Redshirt auf der Intrepid, dem Flaggschiff der Universal Union, an. Damit geht für den jungen Mann scheinbar ein Traum in Erfüllung. Bis er feststellt: Die Sterblichkeitsrate unter seinen Kollegen mit der roten Oberbekleidung auf Außeneinsätzen ist erschreckend hoch - und steigert sich noch, wenn ein Führungsoffizier mit dabei ist. Fest entschlossen, dem Geheimnis auf den Grund zu gehen, wagen sich Dahl und seine Kollegen dahin, wohin noch nie zuvor ein Mensch gegangen ist: In die Wartungsschächte der Intrepid ...
Redshifts was funny, goofy, satirical. Definitely a fun read. I went in blind without a synopsis and I'd recommend the same for you.
If you're a fan of lower decks or the Orville you'll probably like it. Or truly hate it. But at 300 pages it is worth the risk.
Layers and layers of (mostly) fun and thought provoking reading.
Most importantly: DRM-Free
More like 3.5 stars for me.
Redshirts starts fairly strong, detailing the story of a bunch of new Ensigns on the starship Intrepid. It doesn't take long for them to notice that something is off on this ship, because Ensigns have an incredibly high fatality rate on Away Missions. They start to investigate and find out how this comes about, which in turn turns this book into probably the most meta book I have ever read. In fact, it turns so meta that everything after the explanation falls a bit flat for me.
However, the book is saved by the three codas at the end of the book, which are less satire and more serious. The last coda in particular was very touching.
The writing was enjoyable, and so I will have to check out more of Mr. Scalzi's work.
This book was hilarious and fun to read. Scalzi is a genius storyteller.
I'm beginning to dislike the star-rating system, though. I would give this 3.5. Why no higher?
Halfway through the book I felt betrayed. I was expecting one thing and Scalzi turns the book around and gives me something else.
Is it still good? Absolutely, but I thought it would be better given the great start and thus felt completely underwhelmed.
It's like when you are reading a mystery and the author reveals the first possible solution. You expect him to reveal a few more and then completely surprise you with a new solution that is nonetheless perfectly consistent with the story and ultimately more satisfying. This is not that type of book: you get the first solution, and that's it. That's the answer. Just have to wrap up the story now.
Fortunately, the humor and characters manage …
This book was hilarious and fun to read. Scalzi is a genius storyteller.
I'm beginning to dislike the star-rating system, though. I would give this 3.5. Why no higher?
Halfway through the book I felt betrayed. I was expecting one thing and Scalzi turns the book around and gives me something else.
Is it still good? Absolutely, but I thought it would be better given the great start and thus felt completely underwhelmed.
It's like when you are reading a mystery and the author reveals the first possible solution. You expect him to reveal a few more and then completely surprise you with a new solution that is nonetheless perfectly consistent with the story and ultimately more satisfying. This is not that type of book: you get the first solution, and that's it. That's the answer. Just have to wrap up the story now.
Fortunately, the humor and characters manage to make it enjoyable throughout.
A more detailed review is up on my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-review-redshirts-by-john-scalzi.html
