This is the fourth edition. Slightly revised and polished in August 2011, then released on Kindle and Smashwords.
"Better than Red Dwarf"... read full description
"Better than Red Dwarf"... read full description
reviews
Jun 10, 2007
Jim
rated it: 
The cover blurb compares Hal Spacejock to Red Dwarf, so I went in expecting that same level of silliness and humor. (Rather, that level of humour -- Australian spelling, after all.) And silliness it delivers. Hal Spacejock, incompetent pilot on the cargo ship Black Gull, lands a job transporting robot parts from point A to point B. On his side is the old robot Clunk. Against him is, well, pretty much everyone else, from warships to desperate thieves to debt collectors to dockmasters who object t
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Oct 01, 2011
S.J.
rated it: 
Concept/World
I loved the rustbucket spaceship, the Black Gull. The description of the food aboard the space station had me in fits.
Story
The story rockets along right from the start. Hal Spacejock leaves a trail of destruction everywhere he goes, with non-stop action all the way through.
Characters
I just loved the characters – Navcom, the spaceship computer with attitude, the brilliant and much put-upon Clunk and, of course, Hal Spacejock himself. Hal More...
I loved the rustbucket spaceship, the Black Gull. The description of the food aboard the space station had me in fits.
Story
The story rockets along right from the start. Hal Spacejock leaves a trail of destruction everywhere he goes, with non-stop action all the way through.
Characters
I just loved the characters – Navcom, the spaceship computer with attitude, the brilliant and much put-upon Clunk and, of course, Hal Spacejock himself. Hal More...
May 12, 2011
Steven
rated it:
Hal Spacejock. Clunk. Navcom. (Yes, even his ship has a personality.) This is one of the great comedy trios in SF, and as a genre, we don't get nearly enough of them. Hal, the cocky and slightly boneheaded human, may have a book named after him... but, like the Green Hornet, he'd be nowhere without his "Kato," in this case, Clunk the robot backing him up. And Navcom, the intelligence running his freighter, the Black Gull, apparently loves to mess with Hal just for kicks.
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Jan 13, 2012
Paul
rated it: 
I only find out about Simon Haynes until recently. After finishing his first book, I'm eager to read more. It reminded me, in a way, of reading The Color of Magic for the first time. I had a chuckle or two, here or there, but wasn't sure what to think of it. Imagine my surprise when Terry Pratchett gifted me with a lifetime of humor and insight.
Hal, and his robot foil Clunk, end up going from pratfall to planetfall in this book. The narrative has a nice steady flow, and you're never g More...
Hal, and his robot foil Clunk, end up going from pratfall to planetfall in this book. The narrative has a nice steady flow, and you're never g More...
Feb 04, 2012
Jenn
rated it:
Hal Spacejock is a science fiction book with a real sense of humor. Throughout the action-packed tale, the author manages to insert humor and jokes seamlessly. Hal's personality perfectly matches his story,that of a ne'er-do-well whose luck changes when he is lent a robot, named Clunk, to go on a shipping job with him.
The author chose to make robots and artifical life forms more human-like; they express emotion, tell jokes, and otherwise act with their own personalities. It's very d More...
The author chose to make robots and artifical life forms more human-like; they express emotion, tell jokes, and otherwise act with their own personalities. It's very d More...
Dec 07, 2011
Flora
rated it:
I read this as a free ecopy in exchange for my honest review.
I usually don't like books that are futuristic space stories but I rather enjoyed this one. It reminded me alot of the movie Spaceballs but on a less adolescent level. I thought it was a really funny book with characters full of personality. Hal Spacejock is a pilot that doesn't have a clue how to fly his spaceship. He's accompanied by an aging robot, Clunk, thats trying to escape the scrap heap, and his onboard sarcastic c More...
I usually don't like books that are futuristic space stories but I rather enjoyed this one. It reminded me alot of the movie Spaceballs but on a less adolescent level. I thought it was a really funny book with characters full of personality. Hal Spacejock is a pilot that doesn't have a clue how to fly his spaceship. He's accompanied by an aging robot, Clunk, thats trying to escape the scrap heap, and his onboard sarcastic c More...
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Dec 02, 2011
Benjamin
rated it:
Favorites: Very funny, good writing, interesting characters.
Least favorites: Indenting, somewhat stagnate at times.
Hal Spacejock, fumbling captain of the barely-able Black Gull is a cowboy of the stars. A cowboy who can't take two steps without something around him going wrong. Catching a break would be asking too much, even catching a meal seems like a pipe dream. No money, no luck, seems like there's no chance. Hal isn't the type to give up though. Set in the future, wh More...
Least favorites: Indenting, somewhat stagnate at times.
Hal Spacejock, fumbling captain of the barely-able Black Gull is a cowboy of the stars. A cowboy who can't take two steps without something around him going wrong. Catching a break would be asking too much, even catching a meal seems like a pipe dream. No money, no luck, seems like there's no chance. Hal isn't the type to give up though. Set in the future, wh More...
Jan 31, 2009
Brett
rated it:
I read this as a free eBook. I found out about it because the guy that wrote it has also created this excellent novel-writing software, along with a slew of other free software programs that I've found uses for. So reading it was three-fold for me. I wanted to see something produced with the ywriter. I wanted to check out his other software, ybook. And I wanted to see just what type of writer the guy was. I was pleasantly surprised. The writing is fast-paced, contains a good amount of sarcastic
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Jan 07, 2011
Sean
rated it: 
I surely can't be the only person to fail to see a great deal of humour in this overlong and rambling work. From the rather cheap and cheesy name Spacejock to the alarmingly telling levels of authorial insecurity (displayed by the necessity of a "this isn't a Red Dwarf spoof" webpage) the book managed not only to fail to amuse me very much, but also put me off thinking about getting the rest of the series, too.
This is a shame because the author seems keen to promote accessib More...
This is a shame because the author seems keen to promote accessib More...
Feb 06, 2012
Falanor
rated it:
Hal Spacejock. Both the name of a book and the inimitable pilot of the Black Gull. So I’ve taken a small break from reading Fantasy based fiction and decided to read a bit of Sci-Fi (spelt with a pair of fucking ‘I’s, not ‘Y’s) and Hal Spacejock fit the bill with its sharp whit and biting dialog.
Similar in the vein of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhicker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Rob Grant & Doug Naylor’s Red Dwarf falls Australian author Simon Haynes’ titular “hero”, Hal Spacejock. Accompa More...
Similar in the vein of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhicker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Rob Grant & Doug Naylor’s Red Dwarf falls Australian author Simon Haynes’ titular “hero”, Hal Spacejock. Accompa More...
Jan 21, 2012
Sunny
rated it:
Hal Spacejock cannot stay out of trouble and the robot assigned to "help" him fares no better. This book chronicles the ridiculous mishaps that both Hal and Clunk get into because they both seem to lack common sense. I found myself laughing out loud while reading it. How did Spacejock get to be a pilot and not know how to fly a spaceship? This is a light read so if you want some fun and want to step outside of the serious nature of sci-fi, you will enjoy this book. I did and it didn't
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Jul 11, 2008
Ross
rated it:
NOTE: You can download this ebook for free at http://www.spacejock.com.au/Hal1Download...
Hal Spacejock is the kind of guy who always wanted to be a space pilot, but doesn't really have any of the qualifications for it. That doesn't stop him from trying though!
The first book of a series, this one introduces you to Hal Spacejock and the rusty old robot who joins him early in the story as he attempts to dodge repossession of his junkheap of a space ship by transporting (sm More...
Hal Spacejock is the kind of guy who always wanted to be a space pilot, but doesn't really have any of the qualifications for it. That doesn't stop him from trying though!
The first book of a series, this one introduces you to Hal Spacejock and the rusty old robot who joins him early in the story as he attempts to dodge repossession of his junkheap of a space ship by transporting (sm More...
Feb 12, 2012
Martin
rated it:
An amusing story of a burnt out space haulage contractor with a clapped out ship who is broke and being hunted by debt collection heavies [human and robotic]. He finds one last contract which if he lives to see it to the end will clear his debts and prevent the loss of his ship. He sets off with a crew consisting of an elderly robot and cocky navigation computer with little chance of suceeding against the odds. I read this in 2 sessions and must buy the next in the series.
Jan 29, 2012
Al
rated it:
One of the few book series which truly makes laugh. I noticed I was either smiling or laughing throughout this whole book.
I have read the third instalment in the series before this and was quite delighted with it, thus I felt the need to purchase the fist book.
Again I have to say as I have in the review of Just Deserts, Hal Spacejock manages to create a vibe of Futurama combined with the comedic elements of the first Heavy metal movie but that is simply my vision of this book. More...
I have read the third instalment in the series before this and was quite delighted with it, thus I felt the need to purchase the fist book.
Again I have to say as I have in the review of Just Deserts, Hal Spacejock manages to create a vibe of Futurama combined with the comedic elements of the first Heavy metal movie but that is simply my vision of this book. More...
Apr 17, 2011
Caleb
rated it:
This book should be called Slapstick in Space.
I'm not usually one to laugh while reading as comedy is quite often a very visual thing, but quite a few times I found myself chuckling out loud. I can see why Red Dwarf comparisons are made, but I felt the book was channeling the likes of Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges and the Marx Brothers.
I bought the whole series in eBook form, but I'm now going to buy them all in paperback as a gift for my father. I'm sure he'll love
I'm not usually one to laugh while reading as comedy is quite often a very visual thing, but quite a few times I found myself chuckling out loud. I can see why Red Dwarf comparisons are made, but I felt the book was channeling the likes of Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges and the Marx Brothers.
I bought the whole series in eBook form, but I'm now going to buy them all in paperback as a gift for my father. I'm sure he'll love
Jan 15, 2012
Bob
rated it:
Another new author with a light hearted space opera full of bumbling ineptitude of the principal character, Hal Spacejock, owner of a ancient and barely space worthy freighter. Hal is desperate to avoid his creditors, find a load so he can get a bit of cash and keep his ship running. He gets a job to pickup and transport some robot parts, but even that is fraught with problems. A light, fun read good for a bunch of chuckles. Another author I will look for again when I want a laugh.
Jan 14, 2012
Peter
rated it: 
It was okay. Think of this as a Terry Pratchet novel set in space involving an inept pilot Hal Spacejock. Simon Haynes has written a few more novels, and they may be better. If you're looking for thought provoking reading, this isn't it. If you're looking for a humourous read, and enjoy Teryy Pratchet, give this a try. I probably would have enjoyed this in my early teens.
May 13, 2011
Dave
rated it:
Any fans of Red Dwarf and/or good clean SF humor should love this book. I read the book when the author offered it for free off his website and I loved it so much I had to come back and purchase the rest of the series (up to book 4 at the time of writing this). I really look forward to book 5 whenever it comes out.
Oct 04, 2011
Sue
rated it:
I read this some time ago. It reminded me somewhat of Harry Harrison's Bill, the Galactic Hero, and I liked that it didn't assume that everyone out there in the space of the distant future was a square-jawed space captain. Space will also need its truck drivers and other ordinary folk, it reminded us.
Nov 20, 2011
Karen
rated it:
Hal Spacejock is a fumbling pilot of a run down spaceship. He is joined by Clunk, an 'aging' robot, and Navcom, the ship's computer system. They all have great personalities but Clunk was my favourite by far.
Together, they set out on a 'job' and trouble follows them every inch of the way. Honestly, these are not a group to get friendly with because they only leave havoc behind them.
There are some funny moments, intentional clichés that will make you smile and some sexual More...
Together, they set out on a 'job' and trouble follows them every inch of the way. Honestly, these are not a group to get friendly with because they only leave havoc behind them.
There are some funny moments, intentional clichés that will make you smile and some sexual More...
Apr 02, 2011
Dan
rated it:
I can't remember when I have enjoyed a book so much! I howled so hard my stomach hurt along with the tears of laughter. Anything can be programmed or hacked to do what you want! Simon Haynes did a great job of it with this book. As soon as I secure some credits I am going for the next book!
Nov 11, 2011
Christian
rated it:
I had to give up on this novel before I was even halfway through. It is outrageously unbelievable, which would be acceptable if it were actually funny, but it failed to do more than make half-smile once or twice.
Nov 16, 2011
Nancy
rated it:
What a fun read! I enjoyed every minute of this rollicking adventure. Hal and his robot "pals" keep their cool and romp through the pages, vanquishing good and bad guys alike. It's a keeper.
Dec 01, 2011
LadyCroft86
rated it:
This book was really entertaining and humorous. I liked the characters and the story was well written. I am looking forward to reading the others. A good and funny sci-fi story.
Dec 15, 2009
Mark
rated it:
Yeah, does what it says on the blurb, this one. Funny (at least in a smile as you read type of funny) and is a sci-fi adventure, too. Hal is likeable, but Clunk steals the show.
Jun 06, 2011
Zac
rated it:
Funny so far, but not yet amazing...
Finished it. Very readable... just not that great. I wan't impressed. I don't think I'll bother to read the others.
Finished it. Very readable... just not that great. I wan't impressed. I don't think I'll bother to read the others.
Aug 17, 2011
Pauline
rated it:
I was very pleasantly surprised to find it lived up to the hype and then some. Lighthearted humour and fast-paced from start to finish.
Oct 25, 2011
Jake
rated it:
It is very humorous so far, it is going by at a pace that isn't so slow you'd want to give up on it, but not so fast that you don't understand what's taking place.
Aug 26, 2011
Joseph
rated it:
Great book, it keeps your attention. The thing I liked is Hal Spacejock is an original it doesn't skim off the back of other stories of its caliber. Again great book and I look forward to reading others.
