Galactic North

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: John Lee

Centuries from now, the basic right to expand human intelligence beyond its natural limits has become a war-worthy cause for the Demarchists and Conjoiners. Only vast lighthugger starships bind these squabbling colonies together, manned by the panicky and paranoid Ultras. And the hyperpigs just try to keep their heads down.

The rich get richer. And everyone tries not to think about the worrying number of extinct alien civilizations turning up on the outer reaches of settled space...because who's to say that humanity won't be next?

Set in the Revelation Space universe, this is the first short story collection by the author who has been called "one of SF's best and most ambitious novelists". The eight stories included in Galactic North are "Great Wall of Mars", "Glacial", "A Spy in Europa", "Weather", "Dilation Sleep", "Grafenwalder's Bestiary", "Nightingale", and "Galactic North".

©2008 Alastair Reynolds (P)2009 Tantor Media

Critic reviews

"Reynolds is one of sci-fi's brightest stars. [He] writes Big Science Fiction. Enormous spaceships travel though space that feels galactic in scale, a feat of depiction that is still noteworthy in the genre." ( The Guardian, London)

But

It supplies some more information on stories previously read. I am reminded In general I don't like short stories, a lo ways want more.... never heard of sequels to short Stories. But good listening

Great short-story collection

I really enjoyed all these Snippets from the Revelation Space Universe. it was really great to revisit some of the worlds and ideas. I particularly loved Galactic North and the trip into the distant future that are heroes took.

FIVE STARS!

Love this book!
Have a listen...
It's a 40,000 year Grand Future History Space Chase!

One of the best Alastair work

Read this book more than three times through the years. Every time it was refreshing beautiful imagination
Read this and get “Pushing ice” that one is even better

Excellent

Really great series of short stories. I'll have to read more of this author.

An excellent companion to the main series.

Revelation space is a universe I can sink my teeth into again and again. And John Lee’s fabulous performance always leaves me wanting more. Write some more damn novels already.

Compelling stories. Adequate narration.

With this collection of short stories, Alastair Reynolds has moved up into my list of "must read" authors. Looking forward to going through the rest of his oeuvre.

However, after the brilliant narration of Blue Remembered Earth, this narrator fell a bit flat. He used a grating American accent for the first character he voiced and overly portentous style nearly all the time and it took the edge off my enjoyment.

Awesome set of stories from the RS universe.

This is a nice companion to the novels of the main RS inhibitor saga. Anyone that has enjoyed the novels will like these short stories. The Great Wall of Mars and Galactic North really shine! John Lee’s performance as always is top notch.

Good intro to A. Reynolds and RS!

Good introduction to Revelation Space and Reynolds writing style. Highly recommended for RS fans and Science Fiction fans.

Looking forward to more short stories

Short Stories Done Well

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are a fan of Reynolds (I am) I think this is a must read. It fills in the spaces between the novels in the Revelation Space Series and provides some needed context that did not emerge from the novels.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Galactic North?

The tone of most of these stories is borderline fantasy/horror. As dark as RS can be sometimes these stories are a bit darker. I enjoyed that and I can understand why the story lines were not a part of the series. My favorite was Granfenwalder's Bestiary. Very cool story. But I enjoyed all of them.

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

Top level performance. John Lee is a great narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Portions of the story Nightingale were very tender. This is unusual for Reynolds and I enjoyed this approach. Like a good album that has ballads and uptempo music this collection is a good way to show case different approaches to a subject.

Any additional comments?

This is short and some readers might not want to use a full credit. I think it was worth it and it is a great companion to the Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days collection.