Blood Music

By: Greg Bear

Narrated by: George Guidall

Nebula Award Finalist: A genetic engineering breakthrough may portend the destruction of humanity in this cyberpunk novel by the author of The Forge of God.

This Hugo and Nebula Award finalist follows present-day events in which the fears concerning the nuclear annihilation of the world subsided after the Cold War and the fear of chemical warfare spilled over into the empty void it left behind.

An amazing breakthrough in genetic engineering made by Vergil Ulam is considered too dangerous for further research, but rather than destroy his work, he injects himself with his creation and walks out of his lab, unaware of just how his actions will change the world.

Author Greg Bear’s treatment of the traditional tale of scientific hubris is both suspenseful and a compelling portrait of a new intelligence emerging amongst us, irrevocably changing our world.

©1985 Greg Bear (P)1991 RECORDED BOOKS

Careful with that blood transfusion!

Where does Blood Music rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Certainly in the top 3rd. A very unusual book, that takes some fascinating turns and twists that are unexpected, to say the least. A good combination of Greg Bear and George Guidall.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Mostt...the communication between the nanocells, and humans, without a doubt. A highly original concept.

Least...nothing immediately comes to mind, to be honest. Few flaws.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

Goodness, where do I start? George G gives a brilliant performance. The Neocytes, the female characters, the accents. Classic GG. He is an artist, and truly brings this very nuanced novel to life in an approachable, genuine way.
Other reviewers note some timing/editing issues, but this appears to be have been done intentionally.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

They' re here!

Any additional comments?

The other reviews of this fascinating Bear offering don't give it justice, IMHO. Granted, the book moves forward with scientific concepts, and suspensions of disbelief, that otherwise would require a great deal of committment.
I tend to disagree. This book blends nano-end of times concepts, with real characters and concepts that are at once a stretch, and believable.
I am very impressed by this effort, and highly recommend it to all.

Half full/Half empty

The first half of this book was very engrossing and captivating. The second half - not so much. The story works well when its about the main character: Vergil. You're interested in his plight and his fate. Once that is determined, the story meanders about to various other characters that I just couldn't really care about.

The narrator also does not speak clearly into the microphone at a few points in the book making you have to turn up the audio very high just to hear him. In his defense, this was recorded many, many years ago when audiobook recording was not at the best. The narrator does not have a vast range of voices either: alternating from gruff, gravely to a high-pitched attempt at female voices which just doesn't work.

An interesting premise and great first half of the book, but not one that I could recommend.

Start is great, ending is confusing

So I started this book not knowing what it was about. I have to say, the beginning was great. I listened intently and I give the author props for not letting the reader/ listener feel like they were dumb. Then came the middle and end, and you lost me. I kept thinking I would catch on or understand, like the beginning, but it was hopeless. Maybe if I read, instead of listened to the end it may have been different. However if you like sci-fi books, this will definitely not disappoint.

Amazing concept

I think this is such a wonderful adaptation of an idea we've probably all toyed with at one point or another, what if the cells could think?

Amazing read with Audio issues

This book… wow it sticks in your head. Written in the 80’s before all the science-fi tropes of today were established. Equal parts Mad Scientist horror, plague apocalypse, and speculative fiction of the natures of our memories and universe. This feels either before it’s time, or forgotten in the noise.

The recording had significant issues bouncing between stereo and mono which made sections difficult to listen to.

Great book, less-great audiobook.

The story itself is great, and George Guidall has narrated some of my favorite audiobooks, but this specific recording is pretty bad. Not only is it riddled with audio quality inconsistencies (very noticeable), but some content is just missing: Chapter 28 is missing and instead Chapter 29 just plays twice in a row.
Even with these issues though, the book is good and if this is the only way you can read it, it’s probably good enough.

Amazing ideas very well told

Like many of Greg Bear's stories, this one is fascinating and unique... and if you consider carefully, eminently plausible.

Recommend

Intense, unexpected and profound. This novel depicts a downhill journey to a world that has never been, was, might become, and which feels similar to our current experiences. Masterful, frightening and entertaining. Much recommended.

Amazing Book

The story gets better and better as it goes on. It picks up about 1/3 of the way through.

audio quality

audio quality was all over the place, some instances were fine and full but most of it was muddy. and it would come and go, very annoying. no idea about the story.