Mockingbird

By: Walter Tevis

Narrated by: Robert Fass, Nicole Poole

In a world where the human population has suffered devastating losses, a handful of survivors cling to what passes for life in a postapocalyptic, dying landscape. A world where humans wander, drugged and lulled by electronic bliss. A dying world of no children and no art, where reading is forbidden. And a strange love triangle: Spofforth, who runs the world, the most perfect machine ever created, whose only wish is to die; and Paul and Mary Lou, a man and a woman whose passion for each other is the only hope for the future of human beings on Earth.

An elegiac dystopia of mankind coming to terms with its own imminent extinction, Mockingbird was nominated for a Nebula Award for Best Novel.

©2014 Walter Tevis (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

" Mockingbird will become one of those books that coming generations will periodically rediscover with wonder and delight." ( The Washington Post)

Hopeful dystopia

I am glad I listened to this work. I was familiar -- and impressed -- with all of Walter Tevis' works, but I didn't know about this one until it was recommended by a mutual friend whose mother knew Tevis personally. He said it was the only novel that hasn't yet been turned into a film (all his others were, like The Hustler, The Color of Money, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Queen's Gambit), and all were quite successful--so I was intrigued with this one. I thought the story was really well done, although perhaps a bit of a cliche at first with robots taking over and creating a dystopia. But the character development and plot was excellent and engaged the reader as we hoped that the protagonists could somehow return to a life that they could only read about. It was so rewarding to know that their struggles resulted in achieving their dreams. This was an ultimately uplifting read!

Great

And I just pre ordered tevis’ book of short stories from audible. All of his I’ve listened to have been great

Engaged from the start

I was engaged from the very first page of this entertaining and illuminating novel. Clearly written, with a perfectly structured plot, and a meaningful, compelling story. I have been changed by it. The Audible performances are spot on.

Intriguing

This audiobook was extremely immersive. The book itself is so interesting and subversive and the narrators did a great job bring the characters to life. This audiobook will definitely be worth revisiting in the future when it’s not so fresh in my mind.

Brilliant

There are no new stories, that is true, but the way to tell them can be truly unique as it is this book. I am adding it to my top 5 favorites.

Diminished humanity, robots, sentience, consciousn

And life prevails in it's persistent wish to know itself. To know joy. Profound. Visually gorgeous!

What a ride!

With eloquent and straightforward language, this book tells the story of how mankind comes to the brink of extinction. There is no cataclysmic event, no bombs or soldier hero’s banter. I throughly enjoyed the originality!

Wow!

This is the third novel of his that I have read. Each has been completely different from the others and each thoroughly excellent. I am not someone who gives give stars easily of often.

Incredible. My highest recommendation.

This work is on par with anything I have ever read. From classics to modern sci-fi and fantasy, from Dickens to Asimov, I can’t remember a more engaging and thought provoking book. I’m sad that it is finished.

Deeply Engaging

This is a highly creative, original, and imaginative work. It kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. The only thing that bugged me a little was his use of marijuana as a mind numbing drug used to placate the populous. I don't know if Walter Tevis lived through the late 60s and early 70s, but the drug's use hardly numbed the minds of its users, rather along with LSD, it spurred revolution in the streets and an evolution of art and music. He should have done a little self experimentation if nothing else. However, other than this forgivable mistake, the story and characters will remain with me for a very long time.