The Kruton Interface

by John DeChancie

Meet the crew of the lowest-rated ship around: the U.S.S. Repulse. Captain David Wanker is a fool, his engineer is incompetent, and the ship's doctor is on heavy medication. But when an army of alien lawyers sue the entire human race, only Wanker and his crew can save the day.

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Fiction

185 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

From his website:
John DeChancie is the author of over two dozen books, fiction and nonfiction, and has written for periodicals as widely varied as Penthouse and Cult Movies. His novels in the science fiction and fantasy genres have been attracting a wide readership for more than fifteen years, and over a million copies of his books have seen print, many in foreign languages.

John's first work was Starrigger (Berkley/Ace ,1984), followed by Red Limit Freeway (1985) and Paradox Alley (1987), completing the Skyway Trilogy, one of the most imaginative, mind-expanding series in science fiction. Beloved of SF readers around the world, the trilogy has become a cult classic. It is no exaggeration to say that the trilogy has found a place in the hearts of readers along with the works of Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke. Jerry Pournelle, co-author with Larry Niven of the classics The Mote in God's Eye and Lucifer's Hammer, has compared the series to the best of A. E. van Vogt, and better written. The convoluted plot takes the reader on a mind-bending journey to the end of the universe and back.

His humorous fantasy series, beginning with Castle Perilous, became a best seller for Berkley/Ace. William Morrow published MagicNet, which Booklist said was "a welcome sigh of comic relief ... shamelessly droll, literate, and thoroughly entertaining. Magicnet is the fantasy genre's whimsical answer to Neuromancer." He has also written in the horror genre. His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and in numerous original anthologies, the latest of which is Spell Fantastic. His story collection, Other States of Being, was recently published by Pulpless.com, Inc., an online and print-on-demand publisher.

He currently lives in Los Angeles and is at work writing novels, articles, short stories, and screenplays. His latest book was the short story collection THE LITTLE GRAY BOOK OF ALIEN STORIES published by Borderlands Press. John's most recent short story publication was in the original anthology SPACE CADETS, edited by Mike Resnick and published by LAcon IV, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention. The book was published in both limited and trade hardback editions. The book is available here . He has just completed a mystery novel and information on this new book (something different from anything he has ever written) is forthcoming. He will also have two new film articles in the second big issue of the new cult film magazine MONDO CULT, also forthcoming.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short novel with some very amusing bits. Probably extra amusing for young males, though some of the pop culture references would be lost on them. It's something of a Trek parody in which Captain Wanker assumes command of The Repulse, the lowest rated ship in the Space Force, and, of course, that's the crew that has to save humanity. It's not too memorable, but it made me laugh, which is what it was intended to do. If you liked Scalzi's Redshirts or the Orrville series or the Marx Brothers movies, chances are you'll laugh, too.

[Travis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically, a series of comedy sketches crammed together in the pretense that it is an actual story.
Very funny, but after awhile you realize you are reading what feels like the novelization for a sci-fi sitcom that was never made.

I was willing to cut DeChance some slack for his Marx Brothers references, but still so light and fluffy it could float away if their was a light breeze.

[Kirkus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okey, I confess I couldn't help but chuckle a couple of times. The ending was a mess though. Best line was of course: (“Wanker, you’re living proof of reincarnation.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“No one could get that dumb in one lifetime.”)

[David Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Science Fiction with a side of Marx Brothers.

The Kruton Interface is a thought experiment in which a parody of Star Trek is mixed with the Marx Brothers movie. I would gladly watched Groucho Marx guest starting on an episode of Star Trek. Rufus T Firefly competing with James T Kirk for split infinitives. Except this is cruder and more stupid than either. Not exactly my cup of Raktajino. It was fun at times but I was relieved to finish this. I prefer other books (like The Castle Perilous series) from John DeChancie are much better.

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a big disappointment. It is crude and rude NOT FUNNY! Satire and other humor can be funny without sexual images and run into the ground sex intended jokes/comments/etc. I hope this author does proper humor on the rest of his books. I am thinking I am wasting more than just the money for this one book since I bought used several books by this author. This book is NOT recommended except for fire starter. If you want a well written satire on Star Trek, then read John Scalzi's Redshirts.

[Pack Raven · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book. Being a big fan of John DeChancie's Starrigger series, I expected this to be a very inventive and entertaining book.
This was ostensibly a comedy, which, of course, was a departure from those other books, but, also wasn't very funny. The jokes were way too obvious, the characters weren't compelling, and the story was lackluster.
Maybe DeChancies Castle series (another comedy series, by my understanding) is better.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a raunchy sci-fi humor book. The lead character is Captain Wanker (VAHN-ker) who is a failure as a captain. He takes over a crew of misfits. Throughout the book is a good deal of humor more aimed at teenage boys. Of course, all turns out in the end and the captain and the crew stumble into saving the day.

[Dan Lungaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly entertaining and hilarious sci-fi read, that reads almost too fast. The whole plot with the Krutons is unfortunately not explored very well, and I feel like the ending of the book was rushed. Overall worth reading if you want a light hearted sci-fi book.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overwrought, badly written. Essentially the book depends on cultural references and cliches. May work well for the 12-14 year old reader.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun quick read

[Nuranar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Supposed to be humorous, but much of the humor ranged from suggestive to near-obscene. It got very wearisome. I did enjoy the Marx brothers references, which weren't subtle to me but might be completely mystifying to others.

Still, there was very little plot, overall. It would have been better as a novella than as a full-length novel.

[Dave White · Rating 1 out of 5]

I vaguely recall reading this in high school when it was new and liking it. Twenty years later and I want to travel back in time and smack some sense into myself.

[John Logsdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, it's goofy, but sometimes goofy is good! After reading a ton of serious s.f. or fantasy, I enjoy kicking back and having a lighthearted adventure that makes me giggle.

[Mark Palmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved DeChancie's Skyway Trilogy, but this is more of a sci-fi SNL sketch.