You might know John Scalzi for The Whatever (his blog,) the many books he wrote (read my review of Old Man’s War or …Coffee Shop) or the prizes he was awarded (or short-listed for) in the last few years. You might know the man for being eccentric in his writing, for his particular sense of humour or his way of saying what is on his mind in his own unique way. If you don’t, you’re likely to be taken abashed by The Android’s Dream (available on Amazon.ca
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To say that The Android’s Dream is not your every-day science-fiction action book is an understatement. This book is just weird! If the story’s structure and elements were written with rigor and skills, the subjects themselves are often ridiculous and bold. You are in for quite a few WTF moments, to a point where I could easily see unsuspecting readers to give up on the book.

Regardless, John Scalzi knows how to write an action novel. The Android’s Dream if packed with vicious fights, great escapes, powerful space-faring nations and kick-ass aliens species. We follow Harry Creek — an Alien relationship expert and war veteran — as a few branches of the Earth’s government try to save (or destroy) the Human-Nidu fragile peace agreements by seeking a sheep of a particular breed: the blue-woollen Android’s Dream. Harry Creek is a survivor with unexpected resources. When he is set on a task, he wont give up easily. For some reasons I will not even try to explain, he ends up protecting Robin Baker, a pet-shop owner with a particular history, as an entire alien nation declare war to her.

If the main characters of The Android’s Dream are well defined, I have to admit the ones in the many administrative branches of the Earth and US governments got me confused a few times. Otherwise, their goals are credible and they all play a role in the build-up of events which rapidly take inter-stellar proportions.

I am not sure if I would recommend this book to everybody. If you don’t know what to expect, you might get more (or something very different) than what you have bargained for. The structure of the story is classic (in term of action science-fiction novel) but John Scalzi does not miss a single opportunity to make a joke. The humour and the choice of words of a few scenes are not meant for easily offended people but if you can get over that (or if you actually enjoy it) The Android’s Dream is a very good book. I would simply suggest not to take it too seriously.

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Lectures by Alexandre Lemieux