Customer Reviews

Dancing Barefoot: Five Short but True Stories About Life in the So-Called Space Age

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you've read the other reviews, you've probably noticed that a lot of them plainly admit that they gush about Wil's book because he's "one of us." But I personally put more stock in comments such as, "he's a very compelling writer." So the question is, is he?

The answer I have for you is this: if you can rip out the sentimental, sugary 4th story -- which is only 2 pages long -- it's a fine, fine book. That story, titled "We Close Our Eyes," is cliche and hamfisted. But even it reveals some talent: Wil paints a picture well. He might make a good screenwriter.

What about the rest of the stories? Yeah, there is a bit of cliche, rosy-colored-glasses fawning over his lost youth (sigh), but he does have a talent for words. I actually cried a little as I finished the first story, and it didn't feel cheap, as if he'd deliberately tried to get that reaction. Instead, it felt like I had read something real, and persuasive, and I felt genuinely affected by what I read.

The Spongebob Vegaspants story is much hyped, and doesn't fail to entertain. But there are also parts that tire me. For example, after William Shatner snubs Wil Wheaton, Wil talks to someone about it, and that person says nasty things about Shatner. Then Wil talks to someone else, who also says nasty things about Shatner. Then Wil talks to someone else, on an on, each person taking a pot-shot at Shatner. In the end, after Wil has written about how 10-15 of his friends think Shatner is a jerk, I had to wonder: am I reading a funny story or an attempt at character assassination? I was able to get through it, and there really IS a great story in there. But it took a bit of effort to overlook the more petty parts. I found the parts about his comedy sketch and going on the Star Trek ride to be much more deep and meaningful.

I want to conclude with a comment to Wil, because I know he'll read this someday. Celebrities are often surrounded by fans and yes-men. It can be difficult to get a fair assessment in such an environment. But I want to be straight and honest here: Wil, you are a young writer, inexperienced, and I can see that when I read this book. But I can also see a huge wealth of talent nearly brimming over. Hone your craft. If you do, the books you write in the future could be astonishingly good. You ARE a very compelling writer.

(...) Tracing the loss of a favorite aunt, the awkwardness of teenage attraction, moments of stepfatherhood joy in a game of hide-and-seek, and a cold walk in the rain in the heat of newlywed bliss, the first four stories are well-written, a little too saccharine, and gave me pause to wonder what I'd spent my money on. The last story, "The Saga of SpongeBob Vegas Pants, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Star Trek" made me laugh out loud in public. It is clearly the strongest entry in the book, and indeed, takes up the majority of the slender text (about 70 of its 110 pages). Wheaton's sarcasm, vulnerability, and natural agility with the written word shine through the last story, and thoroughly justifies the purchase of this book. Whether you are a Star Trek fan (which I am not, but have friends who are...), a voracious reader of memoirs or aspiring memoirist (admitted), a Gen-Xer on the precipice of your 30s (which I am), or a fan of Wheaton's Blog (which I've become), I recommend "Dancing Barefoot."

I have to admit, I love Star Trek the Next Generation, but didn't warm up to the Wesley Crusher character until got to know Wil Wheaton a little through his website....

Wil is a very funny, interesting, thoughful person with a fantastic wit, and an approachable writing style. "Dancing Barefoot" is a fantastic work, filled with interesting moments from a very interesting life. I laughed my guts out many times while reading Wil's book, and other times found myself in tears.

If you haven't read this book. you should. This book is a positive addition to anyone's life.

The hardest thing to believe about "Dancing Barefoot" is that these are stories jettisoned from his upcoming book "Just a Geek". They scan like they were intended to be read together. The first four stories, vignettes really, tell of the universal feelings of love, loss, embarassement and acceptance. While the last story, "The Saga of SpongeBob VegasPants", brings it all together at a Star Trek convention.

"SpongeBob VegasPants" is the highlight of the book. It lasts more than half of the book's 117 pages and reveals more about the author than some autobiographies have done in five times as much space. Wil really has it all out here and the result is an honest, touching portrayal of a man coming to terms with a cultural phenomenon he loved and then betrayed him.

Wil grew up loving Star Trek. Just imagine being cast on a television show that puts you on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. For a geek, not many things can match that. In fact, your character, is the only one that legendary Star Trek creator ever named for himself (Wesley was Gene Roddenberry's middle name).

And yet, the writers couldn't really do much with your character. He soon became a 1 dimensional intergalactic know-it-all who would serve as a Deus ex Machina everytime the writers wrote themselves into a corner. The fans that didn't hate you at the start quickly join the chorus of "I Hate Wesley" and boo you offstage at Star Trek conventions.

This is where Wil came from. But it's not what Wil Wheaton is. He has become a very powerful writer, one who transcended his past and is now earning the respect of the people who booed him long ago while also picking up new fans.

That's the true power of Wil Wheaton. People who couldn't care less about Star Trek or Wesley Crusher are reading his website and passing it on. They like him. He's a dad and a husband and a son and able to tell us of the events of his life that make us nod and smile with recognition.

"Dancing Barefoot" is light without being insignificant. It's an easy, engaging read that shows the human side of an actor who has been unfairly maligned. The delightful illustrations by Ben Claassen III do the same thing as the text: capturing the essence of Wil Wheaton on the page and making you want more.

Bring on "Just a Geek"!

I bought "Dancing Barefoot" because I thought, "Hey, I enjoy reading Wil Wheaton's blog and he's really funny, so I'll enjoy his book, right?"

Right.

Even though I've read these stories on his blog before, there's something about having a book in one's hands that makes the experience even better and more personal.

About the stories: there are five of them, and all are funny, touching, and true. I suppose that's what makes the stories even better than they would be just by themselves; the personalized voice of each and the fact that they are true give honest glimpses into a person's life.

Wil's use of humor in his vignettes make the reading time fly by. Aside from getting his funny on, he also offers a few surprisingly heartfelt musings on certain aspects of his professional life, especially when it comes to meeting a certain childhood hero. By far, the best story is the last, "The Saga of SpongeBob VegasPants."

My only complaint is that the book wasn't longer, and as far as complaints so, that's small potatoes. This does offer a taste of what to expect from Wil Wheaton's forthcoming book, "Just a Geek." I can't wait. Well, I can, but I don't want to.

Anyway, buy it, read it, and enjoy it.

In advance of his appearance my radio show tonight, I set aside the weekend to work my way through Wil's new book. As I sat outside The Groundlings Theatre, waiting for my improv class to begin, I realized that I had already mowed through the first four of the five stories in the book.

This was not good. I was getting hooked on his writing style, a sort of stream of consciousness that was delightfully unexpected, and was going to run out of book before I ran out of Saturday.

So I purposely put the book aside until Sunday night, fulfilling the adage that a task expands to fill the time allotted it. The fifth story in the book, much longer than the first four, is a journal of a series of days at a Las Vegas Star Trek convention, was filled with back story, side trips, footnotes and revelations that illustrate exactly why Wil is a great comedian, actor, blogger and writer: he's fearless. Not many people would endanger their relationships with famous actors, Trek fans, show business hangers-on and more, but Wil's strength is that he tells it like it is, the fallout be damned.

Many people think of Wil Wheaton as that kid from Stand By Me or that geeky acting ensign on Star Trek. Many people don't think of him at all. However, many more of us (more and more as time goes on) have gotten to know a different side of Mr. Wheaton through his website. We have been with him through his frustrations as an actor in Hollywood, his joys and sorrows as a parent and husband, through his trials with Star Trek and William F'ing Shatner, and have been amazed by the truly personal and wonderful things he has shared through his blog.

Those of us who have been devotees of his website have known for a long time what a terrific writer (and person!) Wil Wheaton is. Now he has decided to share his talent and stories with us in book form. I ordered this book the minute he started offering it for sale, even though I knew most of the material I had already read on his site. I read through it in one sitting. I was not displeased. The stories range from hilarious, to whimsical and nostalgic, to downright tearjerking. Though I had read them before they were just as resonant as the first time I had seen them. He has also finished up the Saga of SpongeBob VegasPants that he had teased us with on his website but never gave us the ending to. It would have been worth it just for that.

I am not as eloquent as some of the others who have reviewed his book, and especially not as much as the man himself. But I just have to say that I am amazed by this book and so proud of this man who has let so many of us into his life as no other celebrity has before and made us all feel like friends (but not stalkers or anything. I swear!). I, for one, cannot wait for his next book, Just a Geek, to come out.

Newcomers to Wheaton's work or faithful followers of his blog will enjoy this book equally. Wheaton has a true knack for bringing his readers into his life and feelings; the book has a sense of honesty and self-awareness that is rarely found in today's literary world. This is a fast read that I highly recommend. Ignore my cliche, but it made me both laugh and cry--and I immediately passed the book along to my father.

When I sat down to read this (at 4 am the day after I received) I only meant to read the first story.

At 5am, after reading all 5 stories, I came away with a much better insight as to what it means to be a Star Trek fan to the people who play the characters.

I also realized that Wil Wheaton is a truly gifted author.

He has a brilliant way of pulling you into the story he's weaving. The stories are poignant, thoughtful, and for most people, will cause you to reminisce about similar events in your own past.

I am eagerly looking forward to "Just A Geek".

I am also a new reader to wilwheaton.net

Everyone should give this book a chance. You'll come away extremely please with your purchase.

Dancing Barefoot is one of those books that as your reading, you take a step back and say, "oh my god I totally understand this! This was me."

The book is a collection of stories that Wil had posted on his blog and compiled together. The stories are very inspiring and Wil shows his emotions in one of the most effective ways that humans do: through his writing. I was very touched after having read Dancing Barefoot and even inspirted enough to do some writing of my own.

If you're considering whether or not you want to purchase Wheaton's book, just read his blog and within 10 minutes of reading some of his entries your mind will have been set yourself.

I loved it, and look forward to Wil's next novel.