Dancing Barefoot (Paperback)

by Wil Wheaton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Short but sweet, a highly recommended addtition to anyone's bookshelf - Trekker, Trekkie, geek or otherwise - we can't wait for his next book!" - Paul Hudson, Linux Format, July - Linux Format Top Stuff Award

Product Description
Wil Wheaton--blogger, geek, and Star Trek: The Next Generation's Wesley Crusher--gives us five short-but-true tales of life in the so-called Space Age in Dancing Barefoot. With a true geek's unflinching honesty, Wil examines life, love, the web, and the absurdities of Hollywood in these compelling autobiographical narratives. chronicle a teen TV star's journey to maturity and self-acceptance. Far from the usual celebrity tell-all, Dancing Barefoot is a vivid account of one man's version of that universal story, the search for self. If you've ever fallen in love, wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a Star Trek convention, or thought hard about the meaning of life, you'll find a kindred soul in the pages of Dancing Barefoot. In the process of uncovering his true geeky self, Wil Wheaton speaks to the inner geek in all of us.

The stories:

Houses in Motion - Memories fill the emptiness left within a childhood home, and saying goodbye brings them to life.

Ready Or Not Here I Come - A game of hide-n-seek with the kids works as a time machine, taking Wil on a tour of the hiding and seeking of years gone by.

Inferno - Two 15-year-olds pass in the night leaving behind pleasant memories and a perfumed Car Wars Deluxe Edition Box Set.

We Close Our Eyes - A few beautiful moments spent dancing in the rain.

The Saga of SpongeBob VegasPants - A story of love, hate, laughter and the acceptance of all things Trek.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.; 1st edition (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596006748
• ISBN-13: 978-0596006747
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,337 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good, August 28, 2003

By	Anthony Boyd (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dancing Barefoot: five short but true stories about life in the so-called space age (Paperback)

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slender book of essays a strong beginning, September 10, 2005

By	T. A. Glickman (Ponce Inlet, FL, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

(...) 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."

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mighty fine book with funny and touching tales., August 22, 2003

By	KEN D CRETEN (Pasadena, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing Barefoot: five short but true stories about life in the so-called space age (Paperback)

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.