Downbelow Station

By: C. J. Cherryh

Narrated by: Brian Troxell

Pell's Station, orbiting the alien world simply called Downbelow, had always managed to remain neutral in the ever escalating conflict between The Company, whose fleets from Earth had colonized space, and its increasingly independent and rebellious colony worlds. But Pell's location - - on the outer edge of Earth's defensive perimeter - makes her the focal point in the titanic battle of colony worlds fighting for independence.

©1981 C.J. Cherryh (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1982

Long on Fi, short on sci.

More of a political story then as Arthur Clark might have said, exploring the awe and wonder of the universe. To my ear it was hours of neighbors endlessly arguing.

Even better now

I read this book many years ago when it first came out in print. It was good then, but even better now. The realities of space station life, exoplanet life, the inevitable politics of us versus them at the height of the Cold War here, makes this story one for the ages. I think this might have been the first offering by Ms Cherryh. She never fails to amaze or draw us into the fray.

Mallory, forever lost?

Would you try another book from C. J. Cherryh and/or Brian Troxell?

I love Cherryh's Known Space series and will buy any of them in Audible, except if Troxell is involved. His murdering of the female characters is akin to what Highlander 2 did to Highlander! Have I lost Mallory? At the moment I believe so. The sad part is I liked his overall style, but nearly choked when he turned on that strange teenage girl voice for Mallory.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Downbelow Station?

Too many to mention, the book is a masterpiece.

Would you be willing to try another one of Brian Troxell’s performances?

Only if all the characters are male.

Any additional comments?

I have read Downbellow station many times, and am amazed at C.J's skill at creating a timeless masterpiece.

amazing story, but unlistenable narrator

should've had Dina Pearlman or Gabra Zackman. There was once a recording, book on tape, narrated by another woman half on YouTube who did a wonderful job narrating.
but this guy only sounds like he's done voices in mocking attempt in his life.
a dreadful shame for such an amazing book.

Complex political situation on a space station

Downbelow Station by C J Cherryh is a tour de force of of political intrigue taking place on space station caught in the middle of a political triangle. The station, one of the earlier, but not the earliest Earth established station, orbits a planet with quasi-human conditions, but also harboring semi-intelligent life. Set in the 24th century, the space faring era is undergoing a transition as the shift from relativistic travel constraints to FTL has rendered past configurations useless. While Earth is trying to maintain political influence and the corporation that funded construction of the stations wants to maintain economic control, the more distant stations want independence. Downbelow wants neutrality, but is caught in the middle of Earth, corporation, Outer Alliance, and merchants fighting for position. At the same time, politics on the station itself further complicate the picture. Clearly the old system is not viable, but whether Downbelow can emerge intact and functional is questionable.

Cherryh provides more than sufficient rationale and justification for the complex arrangements that have evolved over time due to both scientific as well as economic and political reasons. She also imbues enough believable human foibles to add an element of unpredictability, Few of the characters are one dimensional and possess their share of fatal flaws that drives the plot forward without telegraphing the eventual resolution.

The narration is excellent with s solid range of voices given the large ensemble cast. Pacing is well aligned with the plot that is constantly shifting perspective.

Classic Cherryh

I've been a Cherryh fan since first reading the Faded Sun trilogy. Downbelow station is an enjoyable space opera. What I suspect, after reading many more of her books, is that the later books are going to tie back to this universe. #provocative #suspenseful #tortured hero #spaceopera #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Great War story

This is a tale that tells of war in an occupied territory, and the story of those who live through it as civilians. It reads smoothly and well with compelling characters.

The only reason I don’t give it a five star review is that it plays into the good hearted noble savage trope, which Cherryh avoids in her later works. That os an artifact of the period it was written in, however, and as such can be ignored.

A great disservice

CJ Cherryh is arguably my favorite author but the narrator is nearly intolerable, holy heck. It's still a great book though and kind of key for every other novel set in the alliance/union universe so if you can put up with Brian frickin' Troxell doing the worst falsetto, go for it. (I had a better time listening at 1.2 speed for some reason).

That CJ Cherryh though, love her.

Enjoyable and engaging. Recommended!

What made the experience of listening to Downbelow Station the most enjoyable?

I had already read the book, but it was a long time ago. Listening to the story, I found the characters interesting and the story plausible. The suspense builds to a tense and satisfying climax.

Have you listened to any of Brian Troxell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not yet heard other books narrated by Brian Troxell, but I felt that he did a very good job and I look forward to hearing him again. I know some reviewers said they thought his pacing was boring, but I did not find it to be boring at all. I didn't "hear" him most of the time, but I heard the characters instead. Well done!

Wonderful world building but ...

it has that slower pacing you find in older Sci-fi books. only buy if patient.