The Android's Dream

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

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)

Covertly flatulent Scifi at it's best!

Fun book, listening was a gas!

A word of warning to those who might be sheepish about genetic engineering; ewe may want to Baaack away from this one.

Narrator did a nice job, not a crusher performance, but very enterprising.

Ok I'm done.

Exactly what I expect from Scalzi

I've read several of Scalzi's books now. They are light, entertaining, well-paced and just surprising enough to keep me coming back.

I've never been blown away by Scalzi... he is very creative, but his execution never quite matches the the promise of his premise.

Always fun. Never amazing.

I'll be back anyway.

Far-fetched and FANTASTIC! Worth the Listen!

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

I can't answer this one, as I don't read books anymore. I've been an Audible listener for 10 years come this August, (10 years man!) and my friends and family swear I CAN'T read. Well. I can. I read to my 2 year old each evening! (She's not old enough for audio-books JUST yet... but soon... soon...)

What did you like best about this story?

Wil Wheaton. He's a fantastic narrator! I have to admit a childhood crush on Wheaton (Gordie Lachance not Wesley Crusher) and I'm glad to see him diverge from acting to lend his voice to John Scalzi's work. He's by turns funny and somber, and he reads quickly, not stumbling over words and carrying the story faster than an inattentive mind may be prepared to accept. But the inflection and pitch keeps you listening and interested, and the characters are believable, male and female. His narration adds to the novel, guiding the story well.
Ah, but you asked about the STORY.... Fine.
The story's just great, and picking a "best" part is difficult because it's good entertaining fun from beginning to end. I love the way that the themes are serious, but the treatment is still light and irreverently optimistic. The story examines the rights of sentient species, international (inter-species, interplanetary) conflict, exploitation of those too weak to object, the true horror of war and the idea that we will continue to die in war as individuals long after we have escaped the solar system. Religion and faith, artificial intelligence, and life after death are ALL tackled head on and explored with great insight and sensitivity. But there is none of the "morality tale" feeling that you might observe in say, Orson Scott Card's treatment of similar broad themes. (Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide)
While Card's books are also excellent listens, (once you finish this, use your next credit for Ender's Game and you'll be glad you did) there is much more real humor and joy in the overall feeling of The Android's Dream. I found myself laughing aloud more than once.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scenes in which we reveal the true nature of the sought after Android's Dream, and in which each character responds from their various points of view. Without spoiling, there's a plot twist that doesn't wait until the end, and it's excellently crafted. I found myself laughing until tears came to my eyes, and then the tears were real because I was moved by the way that Scalzi shows us how fragile our perceptions of what is "normal" what is "real" or "legitimate" can be. Suffice to say that the way in which he prompts questioning the nature of our identities is masterful... are we a collection of cells and a slave to our genes? Or are we something more?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved by the friendship between Creek and Brian, and by their loyalty to one another. I think that the idea that a friend could be eternal, and that maybe all that makes a person could be preserved and then expanded is really a neat one.

Any additional comments?

I've also read Redshirts by Scalzi, and I really enjoyed both! Worth the credit and worth the hours.

Couldn't hit pause

I listened to this one all the way through, only stopping once for sleep.

It was a delightfully entertaining, and well woven narrative, read by probably the greatest new reader that Audible has to offer.

Ok, the story itself depends a bit much on suspension of disbelief, but as mind candy goes, this book is guaranteed to calm any sweet tooth. Scalzi can spin a yarn like cotton candy. Light,sweet, and a very special treat.

Not his best

As usual, excellent narration by Wil Wheaton. Scalzi's writing and story on this one feels off to me, like its a collage of things from other books and most of it doesn't make much sense including the ending. If this were my first introduction to Scalzi's work, I would probably not pick up another.

Amazing!

This book is the perfect book for someone who loved the novel Ready Player One. This book is amazing, funny, and all-around great!

One of Scalzi's best

One of my favourite Scalzi stories. Funny and engaging without trying to be too clever.

Science Fiction and Humor Collide

John Scalzi has a rare gift. He writes imaginative science fiction with a dollp of satire and much wit. Who would have thought this was possible. I enjoyed it immensely.

Smart and Funny, My Favorite

It's like Tom Clancy books, but in the future and funnier.
This would have been a perfect Review but I have to have 15 words or more.

Great story with good narration by Will Wheaton.

Great story with good narration by Will Wheaton. I had some good chuckles throughout the story.