House of Suns

De: Alastair Reynolds

Narrado por: John Lee

Six million years ago, at the very dawn of the starfaring era, Abigail Gentian fractured herself into a thousand male and female clones: the shatterlings. Sent out into the galaxy, these shatterlings have stood aloof as they document the rise and fall of countless human empires. They meet every 200,000 years to exchange news and memories of their travels with their siblings.

Not only are Campion and Purslane late for their 30-second reunion but they have also brought along an amnesiac golden robot for a guest. But the wayward shatterlings get more than the scolding they expect: they face the discovery that someone has a very serious grudge against the Gentian line, and there is a very real possibility of traitors in their midst. The surviving shatterlings have to dodge exotic weapons while they regroup to try to solve the mystery of who is persecuting them and why---before their ancient line is wiped out of existence forever.

©2008 Alastair Reynolds (P)2009 Tantor

Great book, confusing narration

I really enjoyed this book. The main problem was the narration --- the narrator (John Lee) did not do a good of making it clear when he switched between characters, especially the 2 main characters. Moreover, I wish he had a better voice for female characters --- it's really no different. Every now and then he pulled out an accent of some sort for a character, but it was just odd and ill fitting. Anyways, once you get past the narration, it's a great read.

Classic sci-fi air. Interesting storyline.

Thickly written and completely textured with a (somewhat) romantic point of view/perspective (aka rose colored glasses). Very unusual storyline from a very competent writer. Interesting. Somehow, a tad disappointing at the end... but just a tad (I think I expected JUST a bit more from this author 'cause he's very good). BIGtime. Don't get me wrong: this IS a VERY intriguing author with unusual ideas.

One of my All-Time Favorite Sci-Fi Novels

This was actually my first audiobook listen ever, and I was enthralled by the story, the writing and by John Lee's narration. It is also my favorite book by Alastair Reynolds, and one I can hardly even believe is a standalone novel. This could have been a trilogy in itself, the universe is so deep and complex, the characters so fascinating, and the technology and scope so advanced. I would love to see sequels to this book or an entire spinoff series from it. Highly recommended.

So good I'mAnxious for sequel.

Really enjoy all of this authors book and John Lee's narration. Character development is superb.

Reynolds Always Satisfies!!!

Reynolds and Peter Hamilton are my 2 faves... John Lee narrates both excellently!
I recommend to all Hard Sci-Fi lovers.

deep time

delightful foray into the concepts of deep time, and a delightful story too. I find the dialogue a little stilted and formulaic, much like the narrator. well worth a listen

such a great writer

It is so far future it's hard to get your head around at first, but keeps you engaged and creates another epic tale.

More please.

Well the special doll house, Plalatial, took an unusual odd talent to dream up. Alastair Reynolds, Louis Boujol, Peter Hamilton are all multiple reads/listens.

Fantastic SciFi book

Where does House of Suns rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really enjoyed House of Suns, it was one of the better books I've listened to in a long time. Every so often you get a great book that you think about even when you aren't listening and you try to make time to listen whenenever you can, this was that book for me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of House of Suns?

I loved the use of time in this book. This book was the first in a long time that I had listened to that handled time and light speed travel in a reasonable method.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

He was great, I hadn't listened to anything by him before and I will certainly look for more performances by him.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh or Cry? No. This book made me think and to wonder, which is what I look for in a SciFi book.

the inescapable, human condition...

.. in one beautifully crafted story.

I typically listen to books at 1.25x but Lee's enunciation only came across as a sharp staccato at anything in excess of 1.1x, where everything seemed to flow well enough that it no longer detracted from the story. Contrast in female vs male voices was difficult to discern but again, only a minor complaint.

House of Suns plays out like so many other stories of man and a future with sentient machine life. Not to say that this is like any other man vs machine story because it's not. There's plenty to love about this story so if you're looking at the summary thinking, "hmm this might be good..." read it. You won't be disappointed.