The Pirates of Ersatz


Read by Elliott Miller

(4.6 stars; 552 reviews)

Bron is the offspring of infamous space pirates but instead of following in the family footsteps he decides to become an electronic engineer. Unfortunately, every time he tries to get out, something pulls him back in. This is a tongue-in-cheek space adventure along the lines of the Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison. It was originally published in the February-April issues of Astounding Science Fiction in 1959. (Summary by Elliott Miller) (6 hr 16 min)

Chapters

Chapter 01 33:07 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 02 36:16 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 03 39:08 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 04 39:23 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 05 30:50 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 06 29:56 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 07 35:57 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 08 26:20 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 09 28:08 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 10 27:17 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 11 20:18 Read by Elliott Miller
Chapter 12 29:46 Read by Elliott Miller

Reviews

pleasant if simple romp


(3 stars)

The story has some pleasant aspects - there is an oddity that only the main character seems to possess perspective which makes for a more dogged plot as he uses people and their utter predictability like machines or components. He magically manipulates his way through a galaxy of predictable actors in a tale that resembles putting a puzzle together. A pleasant distraction -light and fluffy. The author’s picking and choosing of which technology is worth attempting to circumscribe is a fun window into what was thought futuristic and visionary from his perspective for his era. Reader is a little odd in his choices but the story still comes through despite.

Great Story


(5 stars)

This story felt a bit different from all of the Leinster stuff I've read in the past. It had a great deal of tongue in cheek humor for a Leinster story. It definitely reminds me of The Stainless Steel Rat stories. I could have done without the over the top voice characterizations. The story would have been much better with a straighter reading.

The best kind of space pirate.


(5 stars)

I find this story incredibly entertaining. The storyline was complex but always easy to follow and inventive. The characters were well defined and their actions entertaining. I would chalk it up to one of my favorite light-hearted but thoroughly thought out adventure story. I don't think you'll regret listening to it.

A great romp!


(5 stars)

From a world so perfectly stable that tranquillisers are needed to cope with the monotony rises an inventive mind, and trouble pursues. Though set in in space there are no aliens, the tech is adequately described without going into details that would have dated the writing, and the overall impression is highly believable.

Excellent reader!


(5 stars)

If I'm honest, I struggled to get engaged with this one. I have listened to other works by Murray and been engaged so I do know the writer. It was pleasant enough though and I used it to get too sleep by 😀 😴

Fantastic story and reading


(5 stars)

I had not heard of this author, but I love this book and will be looking for more. The reader used a variety of voices and I enjoyed them; it helped bring the characters to life.

So Cleaver and Funny


(5 stars)

This is one of my favorites from this Author. He really is brilliant and the main characters are always such geniuses. It is well read, though the accents might be overdone. I thoroughly enjoyed it all.

*grins*


(5 stars)

This story is like a mental vacation with its meandering plot line & relentless dry humor. The reader, Elliott Miller, is perfectly droll, repeatedly leaving me smiling. I especially liked the Interstellar Ambassador and the no-nonsense grandfather.