Redshirts

Although I've been a huge fan of John Scalzi since reading "Old Man's War", I had avoided "Redshirts" expecting it to be "...just a p***-take on televised science fiction" (the author's words). But when I signed up for World Without End's "12 Awards in 12 Months" Reading Challenge, I tried the free first 4 chapters and liked it enough to get the book. So glad that I did.

The complete quote mentioned above (from the book's acknowledgements) is: "...readers who... assured me that the thing was something more than just a piss-take on televised science fiction (although obviously it is that too)." This is absolutely accurate. Yes the central novel does have an interesting- and often hilarious- take on all of those doomed Star Trek crewmen from their point of view. But it is also old fashioned sci fi with alternate universes and questions of reality. The reference to "codas" in the title is a little misleading. It is much closer to "a novel with three short stories" with the three stories focusing on minor characters from the novel covering topics from writer's block to the choices we make in life. I enjoyed them at least as much as the core novel.

Although not standard meat and potatoes sci fi, "Redshirts" is enjoyable for sci fi fans and should also be appealing to anyone who just enjoys great writing and thoughtful subjects.