# The Android's Dream

By John Scalzi

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/the-android-s-dream-969cb82b/

Harry Creek has to find a sheep before Earth loses its freedom. After a fatal diplomatic encounter, an alien coronation requires a rare breed that humans must supply. Mercenaries, a cult and rival alien interests make a difficult search more dangerous.

## What makes it funny?

The opening gives interstellar diplomacy a very literal odor problem. Dirk Moeller uses engineered flatulence to insult aliens who communicate status through scent. Even a book-group reader who generally wasn’t keen on Scalzi singles this novel out for its humor.

### The comedy at work

Scalzi explains the gas-emitting device with the attention a harder SF novel might give a spacecraft. The official business stays solemn while the reader knows what is happening under the table. Elsewhere, the satire takes in patriotic posturing and a religious movement founded by a science fiction writer.

### Try this if…

A prospect for readers who like political maneuvering and action with their science fiction comedy. Book-group discussions recommend it alongside Redshirts, though the toilet humor here is worth taking into account.

### Good to know

The first chapter contains strong language and sexual references as well as the extended flatulence joke. The action also includes alien gore.

## What to expect

- Genre: Science fiction
- On the shelf: Space opera
- Kind of humor: Absurdism · Satire
- The atmosphere: Irreverent
- Format: Novel
- Length: 400 pages
- Audiobook: 10 hr 35 min

## A few distinguishing details

- A coronation sheep determines humanity’s future
- Alien etiquette makes a bodily function a diplomatic weapon

## Sources & further reading

- Book information: [Apple Books lists The Android's Dream (Unabridged) by John Scalzi with a length of 10:35.](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-androids-dream-unabridged/id408790120)
- Publisher: [Pan Macmillan lists The Android's Dream by John Scalzi as a paperback, ISBN 9781529087499, with 400 pages.](https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/john-scalzi/the-androids-dream/9781529087499)
- Review: [Publishers Weekly review: The Android’s Dream](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780765309419)
- Publisher: [Tor: The Android’s Dream](https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/john-scalzi/the-androids-dream/9781529087505)
- Reading sample: [John Scalzi: The Android’s Dream, chapter one](https://www.scalzi.com/whatever/004945.html)
- Reader discussion: [Reader discussion: The Android’s Dream](https://facebook.com/groups/bookrecommendations/permalink/29223979070583528)