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The Book of Ralph
Silver Medal Benjamin Franklin Award in Science Fiction and Fantasy.
Top ten novels of 2016, Our Book Reviews Online.
A message appears on the moon. It is legible from Earth, and almost no one knows how it was created. Markus West leads the government’s investigation to find the creator.
The message is simple and familiar. But those three words, written in blazing crimson letters on the lunar surface, will foster the strangest revolution humankind has ever endured and make Markus West wish he was never involved.
The message is ‘Drink Diet Coke.’
When Coca-Cola denies responsibility, global annoyance becomes indignation. And when his investigation confirms Coca-Cola’s innocence, Markus West becomes one of the most hated men on Earth.
Later, five miles above the White House, a cylinder is discovered floating in the night. It is 400 feet tall, 250 feet in diameter, and exactly resembles a can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. Nearly everyone thinks the cylinder is a promotional stunt gone wrong, just like the lunar advertisement. And this is exactly what the alien in the cylinder wants people to think.
Ralph, an eccentric extraterrestrial who’s been hiding on the moon, needs Markus’s help to personally deliver a dark warning to the White House. Ralph has a big heart, a fetish for Andy Warhol, and a dangerous plan to save the world.
Top ten novels of 2016, Our Book Reviews Online.
A message appears on the moon. It is legible from Earth, and almost no one knows how it was created. Markus West leads the government’s investigation to find the creator.
The message is simple and familiar. But those three words, written in blazing crimson letters on the lunar surface, will foster the strangest revolution humankind has ever endured and make Markus West wish he was never involved.
The message is ‘Drink Diet Coke.’
When Coca-Cola denies responsibility, global annoyance becomes indignation. And when his investigation confirms Coca-Cola’s innocence, Markus West becomes one of the most hated men on Earth.
Later, five miles above the White House, a cylinder is discovered floating in the night. It is 400 feet tall, 250 feet in diameter, and exactly resembles a can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. Nearly everyone thinks the cylinder is a promotional stunt gone wrong, just like the lunar advertisement. And this is exactly what the alien in the cylinder wants people to think.
Ralph, an eccentric extraterrestrial who’s been hiding on the moon, needs Markus’s help to personally deliver a dark warning to the White House. Ralph has a big heart, a fetish for Andy Warhol, and a dangerous plan to save the world.
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2016
11 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Steinsvold
4 books25 followersChristopher Steinsvold received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the City University of New York Graduate School and University Center. He is currently an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College, City University of New York. In his creative writing, he uses his background in philosophy to feed his imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 10, 2016
(Audiobook) Neal Stephenson gave us the memorable line The moon blew up without warning and for no apparent reason.
Christopher Steinsvold gives us: At the totality of the eclipse, a message appeared on the moon…I collapsed on my arse and stared - DRINK DIET COKE was writ bright across the moon
I absolutely loved “The book of Ralph”. This is Science Fiction comedy it it’s best. Steinsvold relies less on one-liners and more on a series of brilliant “comedic set pieces”. The tone of the book is so perfect that in between the set pieces I could almost forget this is a comedy. So whenever he is good and ready, Steinsvold stealthily drops an enormous comedy sledgehammer. At these points I was not merely amused or snickering to myself - I was letting out big, hearty belly laughs. This book gave me more genuine laugh-out-loud moments then anything in recent memory.
James Patrick Cronin was an OUTSTANDING narrator and deserves his share of credit for this top notch audiobook.
So after the “Drink Diet Coke” sign appears on the moon, Coke denies all responsibility and “Soda truthers” emerge. #Occupy Coke and #Diet Coke conspiracy are the trending topics on Twitter.
Our protagonist Marcus West investigates…
I don’t know if it was Southern hospitality or subterfuge, but Coca Cola headquarters was eager to supply our forensic team with free drinks. Soon after, a journalist photographed me through a window drinking a can of Diet coke. By the next day, that photograph graced the cover of the New York Post with the headline “Collaborator?”.
Consequently I ordered everyone on the team to stop drinking ANY soda whatsoever. Within hours my demand was linked to the press. The next day there was a photo of me on the cover of the Post with the headline – “Soda Nazi! No Soda for you!
(Cronin delivers that paragraph with such weighty gravitas it makes me laugh every time I hear it)
Marcus concludes there was no way Coke could have been the ones behind the moon stunt - which only hardens the resolve of the Soda Truthers.
One year to the day after the #Coke conspiracy, a giant can of Campbell’s Soup descends from the heavens. It lands in front of the white house lawn where a lovable alien named Ralph emerges to the score from “Rocky” (No, not “eye of the tiger”…the other one!)
What follows is a variation on the “benevolent alien first contact” story. You know like “E.T” or “Paul”. It also owes something to the TV show "V". That is really selling “The Book of Ralph” short though.
While this story can be enjoyed as a fun, fast moving comedy caper, it (surprisingly) has quite a bit to say. Ralph is a real philosopher. He is a sexually liberated being who has some deep thoughts on Sex, Violence, anger, Daddy issues and religion. There is something profound about looking at the human race through alien eyes the way Stranger in a Strange Land did. While this book IS lighthearted and breezy, it scores points for it’s ambition too. It actually has a crack at answering “what is the meaning of life”. Not even Douglas Adams (seriously) attempted that!
I have read quite a few Science Fiction novels recently that give anywhere from a gentle critique to a blowtorch upside the head to religion. “Ralph” skewers sacred cows about as effectively as anyone. He does it in a “shoot them with their own gun” style that can’t really make anyone *too* angry.
If you know you want to read the book don’t click this spoiler but if you still need some convincing I kind of HAVE to write about a minor-ish spoiler I found absolutely hilarious.
There are a lot of clever little details, like this one on how classified assignments are handled with security personnel:
This cover story bothered me. However both Samantha and Francis assured me, in the intelligence community, in this type of situation, this is how it is done - “The bullshittier the better” Francis said. When you want guards to take their watch seriously, you tell them a story that reeks of bullshit. Then the guards know, it really IS important because they know they are being lied to. They won’t ask questions because they won’t want any more bullshit.
While I have never been offended by swearing I really don't like lazy swearing from a "professional writer". I can assure you that all of the swearing in "The book of Ralph" was extremely fucking necessary
I’m not sure if this book was lovingly edited by Steisnvold himself or if he owes his Editor a big hug but there is hardly a syllable out of place in this book. Zero fluff, everything moves the story forward. I tend to only noticed bad editing but this book stood out for how focused it was. It avoided the temptation to go for a laugh a minute and rarely misfired with the comedy.
James Patrick Cronin gives one of the best comedy performances I have ever heard nailing every single character. He can play “dead serious” and “totally wacky” equally well. Ralph sounded like an alien on ecstasy…which is kind of what he is. Marcus was entirely believable and Cronin brought the relationship between Ralph and Marcus to life. This was a brilliant performance.
It’s hard to avoid comparisons with the other outstanding comedy-Science Fiction this year “We Are Legion” (We are Bob)
The Bobiverse definitely has a better premise and gets bonus points for its “Hard” Science Fiction credibility. It probably has more frequent funny moments.
Its is very hard for me to separate the two as I loved them both. I think “Ralph” while completely different, is actually funnier overall and has the biggest laughs I’ve ever gotten from an audiobook.
It’s a book that wants to make you THINK as well as laugh and was one of the best Audiobooks I have listened to this year.
(Thanks to /r/audiobooks user "Fuckyousantorum" for first recommending the book!)
Christopher Steinsvold gives us: At the totality of the eclipse, a message appeared on the moon…I collapsed on my arse and stared - DRINK DIET COKE was writ bright across the moon
I absolutely loved “The book of Ralph”. This is Science Fiction comedy it it’s best. Steinsvold relies less on one-liners and more on a series of brilliant “comedic set pieces”. The tone of the book is so perfect that in between the set pieces I could almost forget this is a comedy. So whenever he is good and ready, Steinsvold stealthily drops an enormous comedy sledgehammer. At these points I was not merely amused or snickering to myself - I was letting out big, hearty belly laughs. This book gave me more genuine laugh-out-loud moments then anything in recent memory.
James Patrick Cronin was an OUTSTANDING narrator and deserves his share of credit for this top notch audiobook.
So after the “Drink Diet Coke” sign appears on the moon, Coke denies all responsibility and “Soda truthers” emerge. #Occupy Coke and #Diet Coke conspiracy are the trending topics on Twitter.
Our protagonist Marcus West investigates…
I don’t know if it was Southern hospitality or subterfuge, but Coca Cola headquarters was eager to supply our forensic team with free drinks. Soon after, a journalist photographed me through a window drinking a can of Diet coke. By the next day, that photograph graced the cover of the New York Post with the headline “Collaborator?”.
Consequently I ordered everyone on the team to stop drinking ANY soda whatsoever. Within hours my demand was linked to the press. The next day there was a photo of me on the cover of the Post with the headline – “Soda Nazi! No Soda for you!
(Cronin delivers that paragraph with such weighty gravitas it makes me laugh every time I hear it)
Marcus concludes there was no way Coke could have been the ones behind the moon stunt - which only hardens the resolve of the Soda Truthers.
One year to the day after the #Coke conspiracy, a giant can of Campbell’s Soup descends from the heavens. It lands in front of the white house lawn where a lovable alien named Ralph emerges to the score from “Rocky” (No, not “eye of the tiger”…the other one!)
What follows is a variation on the “benevolent alien first contact” story. You know like “E.T” or “Paul”. It also owes something to the TV show "V". That is really selling “The Book of Ralph” short though.
While this story can be enjoyed as a fun, fast moving comedy caper, it (surprisingly) has quite a bit to say. Ralph is a real philosopher. He is a sexually liberated being who has some deep thoughts on Sex, Violence, anger, Daddy issues and religion. There is something profound about looking at the human race through alien eyes the way Stranger in a Strange Land did. While this book IS lighthearted and breezy, it scores points for it’s ambition too. It actually has a crack at answering “what is the meaning of life”. Not even Douglas Adams (seriously) attempted that!
I have read quite a few Science Fiction novels recently that give anywhere from a gentle critique to a blowtorch upside the head to religion. “Ralph” skewers sacred cows about as effectively as anyone. He does it in a “shoot them with their own gun” style that can’t really make anyone *too* angry.
If you know you want to read the book don’t click this spoiler but if you still need some convincing I kind of HAVE to write about a minor-ish spoiler I found absolutely hilarious.
There are a lot of clever little details, like this one on how classified assignments are handled with security personnel:
This cover story bothered me. However both Samantha and Francis assured me, in the intelligence community, in this type of situation, this is how it is done - “The bullshittier the better” Francis said. When you want guards to take their watch seriously, you tell them a story that reeks of bullshit. Then the guards know, it really IS important because they know they are being lied to. They won’t ask questions because they won’t want any more bullshit.
While I have never been offended by swearing I really don't like lazy swearing from a "professional writer". I can assure you that all of the swearing in "The book of Ralph" was extremely fucking necessary
I’m not sure if this book was lovingly edited by Steisnvold himself or if he owes his Editor a big hug but there is hardly a syllable out of place in this book. Zero fluff, everything moves the story forward. I tend to only noticed bad editing but this book stood out for how focused it was. It avoided the temptation to go for a laugh a minute and rarely misfired with the comedy.
James Patrick Cronin gives one of the best comedy performances I have ever heard nailing every single character. He can play “dead serious” and “totally wacky” equally well. Ralph sounded like an alien on ecstasy…which is kind of what he is. Marcus was entirely believable and Cronin brought the relationship between Ralph and Marcus to life. This was a brilliant performance.
It’s hard to avoid comparisons with the other outstanding comedy-Science Fiction this year “We Are Legion” (We are Bob)
The Bobiverse definitely has a better premise and gets bonus points for its “Hard” Science Fiction credibility. It probably has more frequent funny moments.
Its is very hard for me to separate the two as I loved them both. I think “Ralph” while completely different, is actually funnier overall and has the biggest laughs I’ve ever gotten from an audiobook.
It’s a book that wants to make you THINK as well as laugh and was one of the best Audiobooks I have listened to this year.
(Thanks to /r/audiobooks user "Fuckyousantorum" for first recommending the book!)
January 29, 2018
4 solid stars. Review to come...
December 6, 2018
In one of the many Possible Worlds where my life fails me, and I it, I can imagine myself as a middle-aged alcoholic suffering from delusions and generalized anxiety. To the nosy, condescending interns who will visit me in the psychiatric ward, I will repeat tirelessly: "I still remember the first time I had whisky. It was so strong I could barely stand the taste. You kids know about goddamned peer pressure."
"Pardon me, Hillary. Haven't you been drinking whisky every day for the last thirty-five years?"
"That is correct, although my name as you said it isn't."
Oddly enough, The Book of Ralph grew on me like an unforeseen addiction. It was a journey of intrigue that started out harmlessly, not fascinating enough for it to bewitch me, not boring enough for me to interrupt it. I struggled docilely through the first five percent of the book, hoping for a good after-effect. I could feel my interest growing, but still had the illusion that I was in control. By thirty percent, tolerance had rocketed sky-high, and I was reading from morning to morning. The story slowly took hold of my mind, and now that I'm done, I'm left waiting for withdrawal symptoms to imprison my senses.
I'm most grateful that Christopher Steinsvold didn't take an anthropomorphic or speciesist approach to extraterrestrial beings. He didn't feel the vexed need to compensate for Ralph's superior intelligence by making his character repugnant. Ralph is not the huffing, puffing, humanoid barbarian unrealistically depicted in bad sci-fi. He is not superficially intimidating with a skin tough as an armor and a voice so coarse it makes joints creak. In fact, Ralph oozes wonder and purity. He loves pornography with childish innocence, and despises war in the same way. He has a phenomenal capacity for feelings, is frivolous without being foolish, and loves hugs. Also, Ralph is genuinely smart: he has a sense of humor. There's no doubt Ralph was made in his creator's image, and this is no reference to God. Fiction written by philosophers is always the best kind.
Of course, Ralph's aversion to violence is as convenient as it is bizarre. Professor Stephen Hawking has warned humanity that an infinitely more advanced alien species would almost certainly wipe out or enslave our inferior race upon encounter, just as humans enjoy doing to their more primitive cultures and tribes. There is no good reason for the powerful to be friendly. So what is it that corrupts us so? Is it instinct, evolution, technology? Is it time? Is it inevitable?
"Pardon me, Hillary. Haven't you been drinking whisky every day for the last thirty-five years?"
"That is correct, although my name as you said it isn't."
Oddly enough, The Book of Ralph grew on me like an unforeseen addiction. It was a journey of intrigue that started out harmlessly, not fascinating enough for it to bewitch me, not boring enough for me to interrupt it. I struggled docilely through the first five percent of the book, hoping for a good after-effect. I could feel my interest growing, but still had the illusion that I was in control. By thirty percent, tolerance had rocketed sky-high, and I was reading from morning to morning. The story slowly took hold of my mind, and now that I'm done, I'm left waiting for withdrawal symptoms to imprison my senses.
I'm most grateful that Christopher Steinsvold didn't take an anthropomorphic or speciesist approach to extraterrestrial beings. He didn't feel the vexed need to compensate for Ralph's superior intelligence by making his character repugnant. Ralph is not the huffing, puffing, humanoid barbarian unrealistically depicted in bad sci-fi. He is not superficially intimidating with a skin tough as an armor and a voice so coarse it makes joints creak. In fact, Ralph oozes wonder and purity. He loves pornography with childish innocence, and despises war in the same way. He has a phenomenal capacity for feelings, is frivolous without being foolish, and loves hugs. Also, Ralph is genuinely smart: he has a sense of humor. There's no doubt Ralph was made in his creator's image, and this is no reference to God. Fiction written by philosophers is always the best kind.
Of course, Ralph's aversion to violence is as convenient as it is bizarre. Professor Stephen Hawking has warned humanity that an infinitely more advanced alien species would almost certainly wipe out or enslave our inferior race upon encounter, just as humans enjoy doing to their more primitive cultures and tribes. There is no good reason for the powerful to be friendly. So what is it that corrupts us so? Is it instinct, evolution, technology? Is it time? Is it inevitable?
June 29, 2016
On the surface of it, you’d read the back cover of this book and think it’s quite wacky. A Coca-Cola advertisement on the moon, a giant tin of soup suspended over the White House, and a visiting eccentric silicon-based alien (Ralph) all make for a bit of an eyebrow raiser, but The Book of Ralph has much more under the surface than you might expect. Steinsvold has the knack of giving a sense of credibility to the tale and deftly handles some quite provocative themes that, at times, caused me to suck air sharply through my teeth (particularly with things called ‘Sky Banners’).
The story is told from the perspective of Marcus West, a scientist working for the government, who finds himself in a tight spot with the media when the outcome of his investigation finds no evidence that the outrageous promotions are not huge publicity stunts created by the big corporations. It’s not long before we’re introduced to Ralph and made to feel a little uncomfortable with his presence. We’ve all met them: people that laugh just a bit too long over a casual joke or giving you the impression that there’s something about them that’s not quite right. Ralph is like that, but there is also an endearing innocence about him that we feel through the protagonist.
In the early chapters of the book there are hints of a story that might follow the same pattern as shows and movies like V and The Day the Earth Stood Still. Childhood’s End also came to mind, but although there are elements of these, the concept is unique both in terms of plot and the ideas around the aliens themselves. Finding out why Ralph must never remove his helmet was a particularly surprising and interesting idea which I won’t spoil here. The same also for the real meaning behind the advert on the moon. There is an interview with the US president that really snatches the rug from under your feet, and it’s from that moment it becomes clear that sinister things are on the horizon, delivering a subtext of danger beneath the humour. Steinsvold keeps you hooked from chapter to chapter either with cliff-hangers or ominous hints in the narrative, ever promising new layers of revelation that, I’m pleased to say, actually do deliver.
It’s a captivating story that raises some thought-provoking issues about the type of world we live in and the consequences of our beliefs. Highly recommended, especially if you’re looking for some original science fiction.
The story is told from the perspective of Marcus West, a scientist working for the government, who finds himself in a tight spot with the media when the outcome of his investigation finds no evidence that the outrageous promotions are not huge publicity stunts created by the big corporations. It’s not long before we’re introduced to Ralph and made to feel a little uncomfortable with his presence. We’ve all met them: people that laugh just a bit too long over a casual joke or giving you the impression that there’s something about them that’s not quite right. Ralph is like that, but there is also an endearing innocence about him that we feel through the protagonist.
In the early chapters of the book there are hints of a story that might follow the same pattern as shows and movies like V and The Day the Earth Stood Still. Childhood’s End also came to mind, but although there are elements of these, the concept is unique both in terms of plot and the ideas around the aliens themselves. Finding out why Ralph must never remove his helmet was a particularly surprising and interesting idea which I won’t spoil here. The same also for the real meaning behind the advert on the moon. There is an interview with the US president that really snatches the rug from under your feet, and it’s from that moment it becomes clear that sinister things are on the horizon, delivering a subtext of danger beneath the humour. Steinsvold keeps you hooked from chapter to chapter either with cliff-hangers or ominous hints in the narrative, ever promising new layers of revelation that, I’m pleased to say, actually do deliver.
It’s a captivating story that raises some thought-provoking issues about the type of world we live in and the consequences of our beliefs. Highly recommended, especially if you’re looking for some original science fiction.
October 25, 2016
The Book of Ralph is quite a ride. I enjoyed it very much and found myself coming back to it until I've finished it.
The story is a first-contact one - it deals with humanity making contact with an alien race for the first time. The subject is one of my favorite subjects, and the pacing and humor of the book are right up my alley. The book starts with a bang and honestly, albeit slowing down a bit, it kept me highly entertained through all the pages.
Christopher Steinsvold does a great job in crafting a story that's interesting, fascinating, dark and tender at the same time. Of course, you can see he's a Philosophy professor - one is lead to think that Ralph is indeed the author in disguise, and if that were the case, so be it, since Ralph is one of my favorite aliens right now.
One critique I've seen in other reviews of this work is that Ralph aside, the other characters feel quite flat. And I think it's a valid critique and surely it has its base of truth, but this book is indeed called The Book of Ralph, and it is his story.
He is the main character and we all want to know more about him - he is the other to ourselves, the lens with which we could analyze our society and behaviors. Much alike Sophie's World , the whole pantomime that is set up around Ralph, the whole other characters, the narrator as well - all is just a device to set the stage for Ralph and his insights into the world. It is philosophical in nature and I quite enjoyed the author's theories on ego, universe, social behaviors, cultural conditioning and such - I do have a sweet spot for philosophy having studied it extensively.
All in all, I've finished this book with joy and am left with some questions for the author, which is a great thing; I recommend this book to everyone that has a soft spot for SciFi and is not afraid to use his brain.
The story is a first-contact one - it deals with humanity making contact with an alien race for the first time. The subject is one of my favorite subjects, and the pacing and humor of the book are right up my alley. The book starts with a bang and honestly, albeit slowing down a bit, it kept me highly entertained through all the pages.
Christopher Steinsvold does a great job in crafting a story that's interesting, fascinating, dark and tender at the same time. Of course, you can see he's a Philosophy professor - one is lead to think that Ralph is indeed the author in disguise, and if that were the case, so be it, since Ralph is one of my favorite aliens right now.
One critique I've seen in other reviews of this work is that Ralph aside, the other characters feel quite flat. And I think it's a valid critique and surely it has its base of truth, but this book is indeed called The Book of Ralph, and it is his story.
He is the main character and we all want to know more about him - he is the other to ourselves, the lens with which we could analyze our society and behaviors. Much alike Sophie's World , the whole pantomime that is set up around Ralph, the whole other characters, the narrator as well - all is just a device to set the stage for Ralph and his insights into the world. It is philosophical in nature and I quite enjoyed the author's theories on ego, universe, social behaviors, cultural conditioning and such - I do have a sweet spot for philosophy having studied it extensively.
All in all, I've finished this book with joy and am left with some questions for the author, which is a great thing; I recommend this book to everyone that has a soft spot for SciFi and is not afraid to use his brain.
December 8, 2016
I love Ralph
January 21, 2018
The book of Ralph is a dark science fiction story. There is a message coming from the moon, and Markus West is investigating to see what it is and who it is from. “Drink Diet Coke” is the message and it up rises mixed emotions. Markus finds himself to be in a tricky situation. The alien causing all this trouble has everyone in an uproar. He has a plan, and that is to get Markus deliver a message to the white house.
I found the story to be humorously exploring the concept of humility by having aliens invade. Ralph, the alien is very loveable and in fact, has a big heart. He isn’t there to harm anyone. The story was entertaining to read, and the connection between the two worlds was quite enjoyable.
The literature stood out for me. That was just because it carried the storyline to its peak of delightfulness. The plot was simple but the way it was told, made all the difference. I also thought that the main characters were drafted well and were individually developed creating a diverse cast of players.
I recommend this book to people that enjoy reading humorous content.
I found the story to be humorously exploring the concept of humility by having aliens invade. Ralph, the alien is very loveable and in fact, has a big heart. He isn’t there to harm anyone. The story was entertaining to read, and the connection between the two worlds was quite enjoyable.
The literature stood out for me. That was just because it carried the storyline to its peak of delightfulness. The plot was simple but the way it was told, made all the difference. I also thought that the main characters were drafted well and were individually developed creating a diverse cast of players.
I recommend this book to people that enjoy reading humorous content.
December 26, 2018
A humorous sci-fi novel of an alien that comes to Earth. It was definitely humorous and Ralph made some thought-provoking observations. However, I found it to be kind of dumb and a bit clunky. I'm afraid humorous sci-fi just isn't for me anymore. If it's your thing, you may well love this and I hear the narrator is awesome, so give the audiobook a try.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.
May 2, 2018
I really did enjoy this book. It was creative and fun. It would have been a four star, but I have my rule about the evil villain spewing out his/her entire dastardly plot in one scene. It is an instant one star deduction. However, if you don't mind that sort of thing, love humorous sci-fi, then this book is a great read. Or, if you get a chance, listen to the audiobook. The narrator is awesome! And the cover is perfect!
June 13, 2016
Too Much and Too Little
The initial attraction of this book, of course, is the absurd premise. A Coke advertisement appears on the moon. A Campbell's Soup can shaped vehicle lands on the White House lawn. A jokey alien named Ralph emerges and messes with the Earthmen's minds. Ralph has secrets and certainly comes loaded with all sorts of ulterior motives, and it looks like the fun will be in figuring out what's really going on. But then the fun time is over and the slog begins.
No Earthling character is more than a talking head, and no character has any depth or presence. They all exist primarily to ask Ralph questions so that he can make profound observations. These observations, none of which are particularly novel, address religion, violence, hate, envy, sex, more religion, more sex, and lots more religion. From time to time Ralph switches to lectures and extended exposition in order to move the story, such as it is, forward.
For me, it was all just too heavy-handed, poorly paced, and, ultimately, neither entertaining nor enlightening. Sorry.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
The initial attraction of this book, of course, is the absurd premise. A Coke advertisement appears on the moon. A Campbell's Soup can shaped vehicle lands on the White House lawn. A jokey alien named Ralph emerges and messes with the Earthmen's minds. Ralph has secrets and certainly comes loaded with all sorts of ulterior motives, and it looks like the fun will be in figuring out what's really going on. But then the fun time is over and the slog begins.
No Earthling character is more than a talking head, and no character has any depth or presence. They all exist primarily to ask Ralph questions so that he can make profound observations. These observations, none of which are particularly novel, address religion, violence, hate, envy, sex, more religion, more sex, and lots more religion. From time to time Ralph switches to lectures and extended exposition in order to move the story, such as it is, forward.
For me, it was all just too heavy-handed, poorly paced, and, ultimately, neither entertaining nor enlightening. Sorry.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
June 15, 2016
This is a disarming tale of extraterrestrial visitors on earth and human reaction to them. The writing style, pace and excellent characters make this a marvelously enjoyable read. The light side of the book is ballasted by truths and observations about humans, included in such a way that the reader can ignore these or take them to heart without spoiling enjoyment of the story.
April 20, 2018
I just realized the cover for The Book of Ralph looks like a can of Campbell's soup. I'm a little slow on the uptake, I guess, though to be fair I read this on kindle, so the cover was black and white and I didn't really look at it that often. Anyway, A+ design choice.
Here's my favorite line:
"In essence, the universe is an exquisitely efficient and maximally elegant, ego-crunching machine. That is what it does."
I read this shortly after experiencing an ego-crunch myself, so it felt very true.
The Book of Ralph is an extremely enjoyable, well-paced adventure peppered with sly humor that sometimes feels a little Douglas Adams-ish (that's a word, I just invented it). There's definitely an Adams feel behind the line quoted above. And other things, like the fact that the evil aliens happen to be from the planet Kardash and are thus "Kardashians" are reminiscent of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy humor.
But on the whole, The Book of Ralph steers clear of just being a tribute to Hitchhiker's Guide, or to any other work of science fiction, for that matter. It's fresh, original, and imaginative. In fact, it's set up in such a way that it kind of messes with your expectations.
The story begins when an inexplicable message appears on the moon during a solar eclipse. The message reads: "Drink Diet Coke." Markus - our protagonist - is hired to head up an investigation, ultimately finding that Coca-Cola was not behind the message. This makes him extremely unpopular.
So this is going to be a clever, comic sci-fi story, I'm thinking at this point. The writing is great: very clean in the sense that it reads easy and it's clever. I'm enjoying it vastly.
Fast forward a bit, and we have our first contact with an extraterrestrial. Ralph (the alien in question) is hilarious and adorable and I love everything about him. At this point, it's still a very funny story. But all that's about to change.
Through a series of disastrous events which none of the main characters could reasonably have foreseen, some prominent people die and it looks like the earth is going to be invaded by evil aliens (yes, these are the Kardashians).
Suddenly everything's dark and scary and we're faced with the threat of the end of civilization as we know it. Where the heck did this come from? Wasn't this supposed to be a cute, tongue-in-cheek story about an alien with an Andy Warhol fetish?
Not quite. Or rather, yes, it was supposed (air quotes) to be about that, but that was probably just a ploy to lull us into a false sense of security or something. At any rate, what we have on our hands now is a serious discussion of good and evil, hatred, envy, violence, the ego, and humanity.
We're still rooting for Ralph, but whereas before we were rooting for him to seize the day, upset the status quo, and possibly have sex with the president, now we're rooting for him to save the earth from imminent destruction without dying in the process.
It's well done, because the tone change doesn't feel jarring as you're reading. Or rather, it feels a little jarring in the way it would if you were hanging out with an adorable alien one minute, then facing the threat of total destruction from a hostile race of extraterrestrials the next. But that's just good storytelling.
There's also a lot to think about - Markus and Ralph have some pretty deep philosophical talks around the middle of the book, and those parts are also well done. In particular, my concepts of hate and envy have probably changed after hearing Ralph's explanations of the two feelings. I've also gained more insight into the ego and why it's actually a good thing that the universe keeps crunching mine.
Then, like most good science fiction stories, there's a plot twist. And of course there's a moment where the fate of humanity depends on the actions of the main characters, and someone has to make a sacrifice.
I'm enthusiastic about this book. I wanted to like it, and I did. The author does a great job portraying and developing his alien characters - well, mainly Ralph, since he's the only alien we really get close to. Ralph isn't just a guy from another planet who has two heads or is green or something; he's really, completely, alien. But, incredibly, he seems more human than any actual human. And you can connect with him on a level you can't with another human.
Still, when I finished this book, I was left wanting something more. It's not that the book wasn't well-written, because it was - clever and engaging and psychologically deep - I just didn't feel profoundly changed by it, and that's what I want out of a really good science fiction novel.
After reading over my review, I realize the book did change the way I think about certain concepts, and now I feel like I'm just being a jerk about this whole thing. It's a fun story. I enjoyed it. I loved Ralph, and I loved reading his book.
Also I'm going to give a disclaimer here letting you know that there's some swearing in this book, like mainly the F word. If you're like, why the heck do I need to know that, Erin? just ignore this. If you're like, thanks I don't want to read a book that has the F word in it, you're welcome.
Here's my favorite line:
"In essence, the universe is an exquisitely efficient and maximally elegant, ego-crunching machine. That is what it does."
I read this shortly after experiencing an ego-crunch myself, so it felt very true.
The Book of Ralph is an extremely enjoyable, well-paced adventure peppered with sly humor that sometimes feels a little Douglas Adams-ish (that's a word, I just invented it). There's definitely an Adams feel behind the line quoted above. And other things, like the fact that the evil aliens happen to be from the planet Kardash and are thus "Kardashians" are reminiscent of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy humor.
But on the whole, The Book of Ralph steers clear of just being a tribute to Hitchhiker's Guide, or to any other work of science fiction, for that matter. It's fresh, original, and imaginative. In fact, it's set up in such a way that it kind of messes with your expectations.
The story begins when an inexplicable message appears on the moon during a solar eclipse. The message reads: "Drink Diet Coke." Markus - our protagonist - is hired to head up an investigation, ultimately finding that Coca-Cola was not behind the message. This makes him extremely unpopular.
So this is going to be a clever, comic sci-fi story, I'm thinking at this point. The writing is great: very clean in the sense that it reads easy and it's clever. I'm enjoying it vastly.
Fast forward a bit, and we have our first contact with an extraterrestrial. Ralph (the alien in question) is hilarious and adorable and I love everything about him. At this point, it's still a very funny story. But all that's about to change.
Through a series of disastrous events which none of the main characters could reasonably have foreseen, some prominent people die and it looks like the earth is going to be invaded by evil aliens (yes, these are the Kardashians).
Suddenly everything's dark and scary and we're faced with the threat of the end of civilization as we know it. Where the heck did this come from? Wasn't this supposed to be a cute, tongue-in-cheek story about an alien with an Andy Warhol fetish?
Not quite. Or rather, yes, it was supposed (air quotes) to be about that, but that was probably just a ploy to lull us into a false sense of security or something. At any rate, what we have on our hands now is a serious discussion of good and evil, hatred, envy, violence, the ego, and humanity.
We're still rooting for Ralph, but whereas before we were rooting for him to seize the day, upset the status quo, and possibly have sex with the president, now we're rooting for him to save the earth from imminent destruction without dying in the process.
It's well done, because the tone change doesn't feel jarring as you're reading. Or rather, it feels a little jarring in the way it would if you were hanging out with an adorable alien one minute, then facing the threat of total destruction from a hostile race of extraterrestrials the next. But that's just good storytelling.
There's also a lot to think about - Markus and Ralph have some pretty deep philosophical talks around the middle of the book, and those parts are also well done. In particular, my concepts of hate and envy have probably changed after hearing Ralph's explanations of the two feelings. I've also gained more insight into the ego and why it's actually a good thing that the universe keeps crunching mine.
Then, like most good science fiction stories, there's a plot twist. And of course there's a moment where the fate of humanity depends on the actions of the main characters, and someone has to make a sacrifice.
I'm enthusiastic about this book. I wanted to like it, and I did. The author does a great job portraying and developing his alien characters - well, mainly Ralph, since he's the only alien we really get close to. Ralph isn't just a guy from another planet who has two heads or is green or something; he's really, completely, alien. But, incredibly, he seems more human than any actual human. And you can connect with him on a level you can't with another human.
Still, when I finished this book, I was left wanting something more. It's not that the book wasn't well-written, because it was - clever and engaging and psychologically deep - I just didn't feel profoundly changed by it, and that's what I want out of a really good science fiction novel.
After reading over my review, I realize the book did change the way I think about certain concepts, and now I feel like I'm just being a jerk about this whole thing. It's a fun story. I enjoyed it. I loved Ralph, and I loved reading his book.
Also I'm going to give a disclaimer here letting you know that there's some swearing in this book, like mainly the F word. If you're like, why the heck do I need to know that, Erin? just ignore this. If you're like, thanks I don't want to read a book that has the F word in it, you're welcome.
July 25, 2018
The Book of Ralph by Christopher Steinsvold is a highly recommended first contact story.
When a message appears on the moon saying "Drink Diet Coke" and the Coca-Cola corporation denies all responsibility, Markus West is asked to help with the Congressional investigation into the lunar advertisement. Coca-Cola is found non-culpable for the ad, but the world is still a-buzz over the audacious ad. Markus is called back to help when, exactly a year later, a giant can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup is floating above the front lawn and planning to land at the White House.
After it lands, out of the can jumps someone in a space suit waving the American Flag to the Rocky theme song. While most Americans think the whole fiasco is another promotional stunt, this time perpetrated by the Campbell's Soup Company, the giant can is really a space ship and Ralph is an alien who is trying to arrive undercover and warn us of an impending invasion by malevolent extraterrestrials who wish us harm.
Once ensconced away to a secret hiding place, Ralph freely shares some information about the evil aliens coming (from the planet Kardash.... which makes them Kardashians - one of the better bits of humor). During a large part of the plot Ralph shares his thoughts about a host of philosophical topics with Markus. And then the bad aliens arrive.
The novel moves along quickly, with humor tucked into the narrative throughout, and most readers are going to keep reading during the less-than-exciting discussions in order to find out what happens when the Kardashians arrive to spread chaos. It's not that Ralph's philosophical discussions are tedious or boring, they are insightful, but when you are waiting for the bad guys, well, you tend to race through the slow stuff. The novel does take a dark turn once they do arrive.
The writing is good and the narrative will hold your attention. There are several funny scenes and they will help you through the dark ones. At the end it did feel more like a vehicle for the author to share his thoughts and worldview with readers. I suppose that is the case with most novels, but it just felt much more obvious here, perhaps because it was set in a first contact sci-fi story. Don't necessarily allow that to stop you from reading because it is, on the whole, an enjoyable, thoughtful story and the evil aliens should give most readers pause in the way they try to cause chaos on Earth.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Medallion Press.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/0...
When a message appears on the moon saying "Drink Diet Coke" and the Coca-Cola corporation denies all responsibility, Markus West is asked to help with the Congressional investigation into the lunar advertisement. Coca-Cola is found non-culpable for the ad, but the world is still a-buzz over the audacious ad. Markus is called back to help when, exactly a year later, a giant can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup is floating above the front lawn and planning to land at the White House.
After it lands, out of the can jumps someone in a space suit waving the American Flag to the Rocky theme song. While most Americans think the whole fiasco is another promotional stunt, this time perpetrated by the Campbell's Soup Company, the giant can is really a space ship and Ralph is an alien who is trying to arrive undercover and warn us of an impending invasion by malevolent extraterrestrials who wish us harm.
Once ensconced away to a secret hiding place, Ralph freely shares some information about the evil aliens coming (from the planet Kardash.... which makes them Kardashians - one of the better bits of humor). During a large part of the plot Ralph shares his thoughts about a host of philosophical topics with Markus. And then the bad aliens arrive.
The novel moves along quickly, with humor tucked into the narrative throughout, and most readers are going to keep reading during the less-than-exciting discussions in order to find out what happens when the Kardashians arrive to spread chaos. It's not that Ralph's philosophical discussions are tedious or boring, they are insightful, but when you are waiting for the bad guys, well, you tend to race through the slow stuff. The novel does take a dark turn once they do arrive.
The writing is good and the narrative will hold your attention. There are several funny scenes and they will help you through the dark ones. At the end it did feel more like a vehicle for the author to share his thoughts and worldview with readers. I suppose that is the case with most novels, but it just felt much more obvious here, perhaps because it was set in a first contact sci-fi story. Don't necessarily allow that to stop you from reading because it is, on the whole, an enjoyable, thoughtful story and the evil aliens should give most readers pause in the way they try to cause chaos on Earth.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Medallion Press.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/0...
December 5, 2017
Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman
The Book of Ralph by Christopher Steinsvold is a comedy with a message. When a sign “Drink Diet Coke” suddenly, mysteriously appears on the moon, everyone on earth just assumes somehow Coca-Cola had managed to do this. The backlash against Coke is massive, but what no-one understands is the sign was a message from Ralph. Ralph is an alien come to warn earth of an impending invasion by one of the most feared races in the Universe, the Kardashians, from the planet Kardash. Markus, a disgraced “rocket scientist” formerly with NASA is asked by the White House to investigate the mysterious advertisement and report back whether Coke was indeed the miscreant. Confusion reigns, though, when a giant Chicken Soup Can, containing the alien Ralph, lands outside the White House. So begins the adventures of Ralph.
What I particularly liked about The Book of Ralph was the subtle, yet clever humour that Steinsvold used to introduce the reader to much deeper and interesting thoughts. Although, I would have to say that Ralph’s explanations as to the “purpose of being” and the Universe, in general, didn’t actually come as a surprise to me, it made them none the less interesting and thought provoking. The idea that we, as a species, could possibly be alone in this massive universe, is an arrogant and presumptuous notion. I also liked the idea that we were far too primitive and young in evolutionary terms to understand much of what Ralph and his like could tell us. I found Ralph to be totally appealing and, as a potential “alien”, one you would not mind making contact with. Chris Steinsvold has brought us a funny, thoughtful book with some real insight and I can definitely recommend this not only to readers with a SciFi or Philisophical bent, but also to those who just like a good yarn, well told.
The Book of Ralph by Christopher Steinsvold is a comedy with a message. When a sign “Drink Diet Coke” suddenly, mysteriously appears on the moon, everyone on earth just assumes somehow Coca-Cola had managed to do this. The backlash against Coke is massive, but what no-one understands is the sign was a message from Ralph. Ralph is an alien come to warn earth of an impending invasion by one of the most feared races in the Universe, the Kardashians, from the planet Kardash. Markus, a disgraced “rocket scientist” formerly with NASA is asked by the White House to investigate the mysterious advertisement and report back whether Coke was indeed the miscreant. Confusion reigns, though, when a giant Chicken Soup Can, containing the alien Ralph, lands outside the White House. So begins the adventures of Ralph.
What I particularly liked about The Book of Ralph was the subtle, yet clever humour that Steinsvold used to introduce the reader to much deeper and interesting thoughts. Although, I would have to say that Ralph’s explanations as to the “purpose of being” and the Universe, in general, didn’t actually come as a surprise to me, it made them none the less interesting and thought provoking. The idea that we, as a species, could possibly be alone in this massive universe, is an arrogant and presumptuous notion. I also liked the idea that we were far too primitive and young in evolutionary terms to understand much of what Ralph and his like could tell us. I found Ralph to be totally appealing and, as a potential “alien”, one you would not mind making contact with. Chris Steinsvold has brought us a funny, thoughtful book with some real insight and I can definitely recommend this not only to readers with a SciFi or Philisophical bent, but also to those who just like a good yarn, well told.
June 3, 2018
I got a real kick out of the first third of this book. I laughed, I told my friends how good it was and how much I was enjoying it. I posted about it on Litsy. The next third felt, well, awkward as if the story had somehow gotten lost in the tangle of philosophical talking heads. And from then on it just went downhill for me as it turned into a weird sort of shaggy dog story.
It's so disappointing to be reading a book you think is amazeballs, and then watch it crash and burn. But on further consideration, I'm not sure what Steinsvold could have done with his premise. It's one of those ideas writers have all the time: What if someone put an ad for Diet Coke on the moon? Then we riff off of that for a while, and there's always some good stuff that comes out of it, but in the end that's not enough for a whole novel. If you can come up with a snappy ending, you can probably get a short story out of it.
But you know the story is going badly wrong when as you're reading, you're thinking "Will you shut UP already?" Probably the author wants you to be furrowing your brow and thinking "My, that's deep," and maybe it is, maybe Steinsvold's disdain for popular culture is really significant, and there is much we can learn from it, but honestly when I get repeatedly whacked over the head with A Message my receptivity suffers. I'm not stupid, I got the point in the first chapter. Time to move along.
Could the author's hand be heavier? I doubt it. Could he belabor points more completely? I can't imagine how. Could his ruminations on the nature of life and being human go on much longer? Oh god, I hope not.
So points for a good beginning, but this one was about as big a literary disappointment as I've had all year.
It's so disappointing to be reading a book you think is amazeballs, and then watch it crash and burn. But on further consideration, I'm not sure what Steinsvold could have done with his premise. It's one of those ideas writers have all the time: What if someone put an ad for Diet Coke on the moon? Then we riff off of that for a while, and there's always some good stuff that comes out of it, but in the end that's not enough for a whole novel. If you can come up with a snappy ending, you can probably get a short story out of it.
But you know the story is going badly wrong when as you're reading, you're thinking "Will you shut UP already?" Probably the author wants you to be furrowing your brow and thinking "My, that's deep," and maybe it is, maybe Steinsvold's disdain for popular culture is really significant, and there is much we can learn from it, but honestly when I get repeatedly whacked over the head with A Message my receptivity suffers. I'm not stupid, I got the point in the first chapter. Time to move along.
Could the author's hand be heavier? I doubt it. Could he belabor points more completely? I can't imagine how. Could his ruminations on the nature of life and being human go on much longer? Oh god, I hope not.
So points for a good beginning, but this one was about as big a literary disappointment as I've had all year.
November 12, 2018
My original The Book of Ralph audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
A message appears on the Moon, and Coca-Cola is blamed about it. Sometime later a gigantic can of soup descends upon the White House, with Ralph, a strange alien in its interior. He is coming to warn humanity about a terrible threat.
This book was incredibly funny, quirky, and original. It's clear that it was written by a college professor due to the little pieces of wisdom and philosophy scattered throughout the book. I really enjoyed Ralph's view of the world, and how he shared it with Markus West.
There are a couple of twists in the book, and things that didn't end up being what they seemed at first, which made things more interesting. It was a good book, just maybe a bit long-winded since there are moments when nothing important seems to be happening, and the ending felt a bit like cheating. I have the feeling that the book started with great premises, and it deflated a bit after a while. It was enjoyable nonetheless, and I think it will work especially well among the younger readers.
I thoroughly enjoyed James Patrick Cronin's narration. His interpretation of Ralph was absolutely perfect, and he also provided the necessary nuances for the rest of the characters. This is one of those cases where a superb narration makes for a better final product, Cronin's narration really made the story shine.
All in all, it was an enjoyable book, even though some parts made the story drag a bit.
A message appears on the Moon, and Coca-Cola is blamed about it. Sometime later a gigantic can of soup descends upon the White House, with Ralph, a strange alien in its interior. He is coming to warn humanity about a terrible threat.
This book was incredibly funny, quirky, and original. It's clear that it was written by a college professor due to the little pieces of wisdom and philosophy scattered throughout the book. I really enjoyed Ralph's view of the world, and how he shared it with Markus West.
There are a couple of twists in the book, and things that didn't end up being what they seemed at first, which made things more interesting. It was a good book, just maybe a bit long-winded since there are moments when nothing important seems to be happening, and the ending felt a bit like cheating. I have the feeling that the book started with great premises, and it deflated a bit after a while. It was enjoyable nonetheless, and I think it will work especially well among the younger readers.
I thoroughly enjoyed James Patrick Cronin's narration. His interpretation of Ralph was absolutely perfect, and he also provided the necessary nuances for the rest of the characters. This is one of those cases where a superb narration makes for a better final product, Cronin's narration really made the story shine.
All in all, it was an enjoyable book, even though some parts made the story drag a bit.
November 20, 2017
I was pretty torn when requested to read “The Book of Ralph” for my review blog. I’m rather glad I said yes. There are some genuinely funny moments that jump off the page… not funny “ha ha” but satire humor that puts its finger on some human nature elements and make you laugh while saying, “yup… we’re all gonna die.” Especially in our current culture.
The hook and premise are interesting and the Diet Coke on the moon setup was great (#occupycoke and the North Koreans try to nuke the moon.) It might be more accurate than we’d care to admit.
With spoofs as clever as The Simpsons or Futurama, Christopher Steinsvold walks a careful path that will either get him sued (probably by someone named Kardashian) or propel his book to Hitchhiker’s Guide status (which it certainly seems to have elements of homage within.)
I’ve been trying to focus more on sci-fi over at Inside the Inkwell Blog; it was probably that overture that prompted Steinsvold’s submission. While it’s a far cry from hard SF, it’s maybe the right kind of book for the moment (and likely beyond) with its originality, dark humor, and the way that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Some of the chronology gets some major fast forwards to keep the story moving (almost like World War Z, if the plot was more Shaun of the Dead,) and the twists sometimes feel like fourth graders arguing on a playground or in the oval office (or the storytelling tropes of Axe Cop,) and that’s the charm of it. I’d rate this book 5 Chicken Soup Cans.
I got this book in exchange for a free and honest review.
The hook and premise are interesting and the Diet Coke on the moon setup was great (#occupycoke and the North Koreans try to nuke the moon.) It might be more accurate than we’d care to admit.
With spoofs as clever as The Simpsons or Futurama, Christopher Steinsvold walks a careful path that will either get him sued (probably by someone named Kardashian) or propel his book to Hitchhiker’s Guide status (which it certainly seems to have elements of homage within.)
I’ve been trying to focus more on sci-fi over at Inside the Inkwell Blog; it was probably that overture that prompted Steinsvold’s submission. While it’s a far cry from hard SF, it’s maybe the right kind of book for the moment (and likely beyond) with its originality, dark humor, and the way that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Some of the chronology gets some major fast forwards to keep the story moving (almost like World War Z, if the plot was more Shaun of the Dead,) and the twists sometimes feel like fourth graders arguing on a playground or in the oval office (or the storytelling tropes of Axe Cop,) and that’s the charm of it. I’d rate this book 5 Chicken Soup Cans.
I got this book in exchange for a free and honest review.
December 7, 2017
When he failed to find evidence that Coca-Cola were responsible for the 'Drink Diet Coke' slogan that mysteriously appeared on the surface of the moon Markus West's name became garbage. Exactly one year after the advert's appearance he received a call. The Secret Service were waiting outside, and he was to report to the White House at once. At 1:28am the world had changed forever. When Markus arrived the White House was empty, the President and her family, along with the Vice President, had all been evacuated, and why? Well, it had something to do with the large tin of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup descending at a steady trajectory towards the White House. This was first contact, but not in any way you'd ever have imagined. Find out what happens next in Christopher Steinsvold's, The Book of Ralph.
The Book of Ralph is definitely a book for people who like the less serious side of sci-fi. In some places I even found myself drawing parallels with some of Adam Douglas' work. A great injection of humour makes this first person narrative stand apart from some of the others I have read in the genre. If I was to use one word to describe Christopher Steinsvold's style it would be quirky. Whilst clearly having a humorous side, there are also serious aspects. The plot is not all fun and games, there is danger, chaos, change, building relationships, and what sci-fi would be complete without a healthy dose of philosophy to really make you think? Smoothly written with a clear talent and flair, I can honestly say I enjoyed The Book of Ralph to its last page.
The Book of Ralph is definitely a book for people who like the less serious side of sci-fi. In some places I even found myself drawing parallels with some of Adam Douglas' work. A great injection of humour makes this first person narrative stand apart from some of the others I have read in the genre. If I was to use one word to describe Christopher Steinsvold's style it would be quirky. Whilst clearly having a humorous side, there are also serious aspects. The plot is not all fun and games, there is danger, chaos, change, building relationships, and what sci-fi would be complete without a healthy dose of philosophy to really make you think? Smoothly written with a clear talent and flair, I can honestly say I enjoyed The Book of Ralph to its last page.
July 10, 2018
disclaimer - i received a copy of this book via medallion press in exchange for an honest review.
on the surface, christopher steinsvold's the book of ralph is another tale of first contact between us and THEM. you know THEM - the life we assume is out there just waiting for an excuse to drop in on us and tell us the secrets of the universe.
that's the surface.
what the book of ralph actually is? an incredible character study, not just of humans but of THEM (who is actually a he in this case). without any makeup, without any costumes, without a script, without any guide wires.
to be fair to this book it really deserves your complete attention for a few sittings and not the three months it took me. it's much richer going through it in a way that enables the characters, settings, and brilliance of the language as a character to settle over you.
four out of five stars
on the surface, christopher steinsvold's the book of ralph is another tale of first contact between us and THEM. you know THEM - the life we assume is out there just waiting for an excuse to drop in on us and tell us the secrets of the universe.
that's the surface.
what the book of ralph actually is? an incredible character study, not just of humans but of THEM (who is actually a he in this case). without any makeup, without any costumes, without a script, without any guide wires.
to be fair to this book it really deserves your complete attention for a few sittings and not the three months it took me. it's much richer going through it in a way that enables the characters, settings, and brilliance of the language as a character to settle over you.
four out of five stars
September 17, 2017
Definitely a solid sci-fi/comedy, very much in the vein of, say, the "Bobiverse" series, or even Douglas Adams to a degree. A first-contact story with a reasonable look at the philosophy of society and our own faults as a species, "Ralph" featured light sci-fi, a few really good laughs and an overall enjoyable storyline that wraps up without needing to be carried through into multiple sequel books. I had a hard time with the audio narration at times, which reduced my enjoyment of the book, but overall it's a solid read and entertaining from start to finish, even during the parts that seemed the most ridiculous/fantastical.
December 10, 2017
Review: This book was written in such a way that made it unique from anything I have ever read before in the science fiction genre. Christopher provides readers with a wealth of witty comedy that had me literally laughing out loud. I have found it fairly difficult to read humorous novels because most who attempt are unable to convey it in a meaningful way through the written word. I much prefer my comedic relief to be spoken to me; however, The Book of Ralph was artfully crafted and left me feeling elated. Although the reader has every opportunity to enjoy this book as just a comedy, Christopher eloquently discusses relevant social topics that the human race has battled with since the beginning of our time through Ralph's character. Ralph is extremely likable and makes the messages Christopher conveys even more thought provoking because of it. I do not think I would have taken a step back and thought about the various topics as much as I did if Ralph was obnoxious or pushy as a character. Despite this being a book about Ralph, I think this novel could have been even better with more developed supporting characters. An increase in character development would have made it more well-rounded. With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for well crafted written humor with underlying philosophical messages.
April 29, 2018
The Book of Ralph is an exceptionally humorous and thought-provoking novel, and its blurb certainly delivered and more. Its comedic elements are wonderfully unexpected, much like the crimson message that geared this whole story to start.
The tl;dr review:
+ Really funny all throughout the story
+ Very adorable alien
+ Philosophical elements that will leave you questioning life and your existence
+ Personally, haven't read this take to an alien story
+ "DRINK DIET COKE" (I'm howling. I'm deceased.)
- Dialogues sometimes clunky
- Too wordy sometimes
The full review:
Read my full review of this book on Underground Book Reviews here>>>
The tl;dr review:
+ Really funny all throughout the story
+ Very adorable alien
+ Philosophical elements that will leave you questioning life and your existence
+ Personally, haven't read this take to an alien story
+ "DRINK DIET COKE" (I'm howling. I'm deceased.)
- Dialogues sometimes clunky
- Too wordy sometimes
The full review:
Read my full review of this book on Underground Book Reviews here>>>
September 8, 2018
A unique story that raises all kinds of questions. I picked this book because I was looking for something different. And boy, did I get it! Drink Diet Coke is written in red on the surface of the moon. What does it mean? Was the directive aimed at everyone? WHO WROTE IT? Why it had to be Coca Cola, right? That's where the story starts but it will take you for a wild ride from there. It ends with an alien trying to save the human race. Curious? So was I and I wasn't disappointed.
October 7, 2018
A soup can cover got my attention for this book. It promised humor, and it delivered. A drink diet coke logo on the moon is our "first contact" and it just goes from there. Rather like the Hitchhiker's Guide or Mystery 3000 theater, this is a funny book.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 10, 2019
Wow, so not what I expected! Very deep and meaningful, insightful and said a lot about humanity’s failures and slow learning curve, consumerism and intolerance.
Ralph is one cool Alien. Love Steinsvold’s name for the invading Aliens and their motivation for luring humans to their cause.
What I want to know is what is Ralph’s symbol for 0?
Ralph is one cool Alien. Love Steinsvold’s name for the invading Aliens and their motivation for luring humans to their cause.
What I want to know is what is Ralph’s symbol for 0?
October 16, 2017
In the footsteps of Douglas Adams
Well written sci-fi with humorous and sometimes unexpected insights into human nature. I would definitely read Mr Steinsvold's next book.
Well written sci-fi with humorous and sometimes unexpected insights into human nature. I would definitely read Mr Steinsvold's next book.
December 11, 2017
This was a fun read. Not strict sci-fi. I recommend to those on the fence.
April 14, 2018
If you want to fall in love with an alien - read this book.
August 19, 2018
An enjoyable beach read, the plot and comedy of a summer blockbuster. Among good science fiction, lightly-written, but not so light that it doesn’t toss a few fun philosophical beanbags your way.
October 6, 2017
A wonderfully misanthropic overview of humanity, this book is funny, surprising, but most of all terribly true in its assessment of human potential. It's a must-read for the religious creatures out there, although sadly most of them just won't get it.
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