The Star
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The Star
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Narrated by:
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Mike Vendetti
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By:
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Arthur C. Clarke
About this listen
Arthur C. Clarke, it has often been pointed out, possess the best attributes of poet and scientist. Clarke is also a profound philosopher. This story is a rare example of sympathetic insight mingled with the best science-fiction traditions. It may shock or disturb you, but it will not leave you unmoved. One thing, however, is certain: it could have been written by no one else.
Public Domain (P)2014 Mike VendettiListeners also enjoyed...
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The Sentinel
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 97
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 87
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 86
The Sentinel was first published in the spring 1951 issue of 10 Story Fantasy. It later served as the starting point for the film and novel, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) is regarded as one of the most-influential science fiction writers of all time. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Great Story and Narrated Very Well
- By Michael on 12-25-18
By: Arthur C. Clarke
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The Songs of Distant Earth
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 1 hr and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 80
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 73
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 75
June 1958 issue of If. It was later expanded into the novel of the same name. Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) is regarded as one of the most-influential science fiction writers of all time. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
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3 out of 5 stars
-
Not the full book - the original short story
- By Amazon Customer on 06-21-18
By: Arthur C. Clarke
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Islands in the Sky
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Charles Carroll
- Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 69
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 62
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 62
The story of Island in the Sky centers around a young man, who, after brilliantly winning a space-related competition, requests a vacation on a space station as his prize. It is written with Arthur C. Clark's obvious knowledge of science, but moves at a page turning rate throughout the entire narrative. The short novel gives a realistic possibility of work and play in future space, heightened with constant excitement and action.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Fun early novel, aimed perhaps at teens
- By Darryl on 10-28-12
By: Arthur C. Clarke
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The Gods Themselves
- By: Isaac Asimov
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,186
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,945
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,947
Only a few know the terrifying truth - an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar-born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun... They know the truth - but who will listen? They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy - but who will believe?These few beings, human and alien, hold the key to the Earth's survival.
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5 out of 5 stars
-
Asimov's Best Stand Alone Novel
- By thomas on 09-02-14
By: Isaac Asimov
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The Nine Billion Names of God
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Steven Jay Cohen
- Length: 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 60
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 46
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 46
Words have power. Some words have more power than others. So when a group of monks seek to enlist modern technology in their quest to list all nine billion names of god, there is no telling what may happen.
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5 out of 5 stars
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GREAT Short Story!
- By Amazon Customer on 01-10-17
By: Arthur C. Clarke
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The City and the Stars
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Geoffrey T. Williams
- Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 769
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 628
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 630
Diaspar is Earth's last city - surrounded by deserts, on a world where the oceans have long since dried up. It is a domed, isolated, technological marvel, run by the Central Computer. Diaspar has conquered death. People are called forth; they live for a thousand years and then are recalled, to be born thousands of years later, over and over again. No child has been born for at least 10 million years. Until Alvin....
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4 out of 5 stars
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A Classic
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 12-10-11
By: Arthur C. Clarke
-
The Sentinel
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 97
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 87
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 86
The Sentinel was first published in the spring 1951 issue of 10 Story Fantasy. It later served as the starting point for the film and novel, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) is regarded as one of the most-influential science fiction writers of all time. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great Story and Narrated Very Well
- By Michael on 12-25-18
By: Arthur C. Clarke
-
The Songs of Distant Earth
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 1 hr and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 80
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 73
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 75
June 1958 issue of If. It was later expanded into the novel of the same name. Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) is regarded as one of the most-influential science fiction writers of all time. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Not the full book - the original short story
- By Amazon Customer on 06-21-18
By: Arthur C. Clarke
-
Islands in the Sky
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Charles Carroll
- Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 69
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 62
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 62
The story of Island in the Sky centers around a young man, who, after brilliantly winning a space-related competition, requests a vacation on a space station as his prize. It is written with Arthur C. Clark's obvious knowledge of science, but moves at a page turning rate throughout the entire narrative. The short novel gives a realistic possibility of work and play in future space, heightened with constant excitement and action.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Fun early novel, aimed perhaps at teens
- By Darryl on 10-28-12
By: Arthur C. Clarke
-
The Gods Themselves
- By: Isaac Asimov
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,186
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,945
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,947
Only a few know the terrifying truth - an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar-born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun... They know the truth - but who will listen? They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy - but who will believe?These few beings, human and alien, hold the key to the Earth's survival.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Asimov's Best Stand Alone Novel
- By thomas on 09-02-14
By: Isaac Asimov
-
The Nine Billion Names of God
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Steven Jay Cohen
- Length: 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 60
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 46
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 46
Words have power. Some words have more power than others. So when a group of monks seek to enlist modern technology in their quest to list all nine billion names of god, there is no telling what may happen.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
GREAT Short Story!
- By Amazon Customer on 01-10-17
By: Arthur C. Clarke
-
The City and the Stars
- By: Arthur C. Clarke
- Narrated by: Geoffrey T. Williams
- Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 769
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 628
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 630
Diaspar is Earth's last city - surrounded by deserts, on a world where the oceans have long since dried up. It is a domed, isolated, technological marvel, run by the Central Computer. Diaspar has conquered death. People are called forth; they live for a thousand years and then are recalled, to be born thousands of years later, over and over again. No child has been born for at least 10 million years. Until Alvin....
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
A Classic
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 12-10-11
By: Arthur C. Clarke
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What listeners say about The Star
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- gander
- 07-05-16
A star among stories!
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Star?
Of course the ending stands out for the sheer anguish and despair but the build up within the story was very well done.
What about Mike Vendetti’s performance did you like?
I love his voice! It matches the narrator perfectly.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
It has been done on t.v. at least once.
Any additional comments?
Clarke pulls awe and wonder from the sky and offers it from his hands to yours.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nils J. Rasmussen
- 02-04-15
The Single Greatest Short Story I Have Ever Heard
Any additional comments?
Although only just under 17 minutes, this story has had a much more lasting effect on me than any novel I have ever read.
Almost like poetry, if any single sentence was cut out from this story, it wouldn't be the same. Its perfection in simplicity is astonishing.
I will never forget this story. I think that says enough.
10.00 / 10.00
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nate
- 10-17-16
nobody does it better
an amazing short story from the master. the narrator really increases the production value of this already amazing story
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- A.J. Zanyk
- 10-17-22
A classic
One of my favorite stories of all time. Very poignant and eloquent way to conclude.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Russell Bernard
- 07-25-20
The end was shocking
I love science fiction. I found the ending offensive having the star be the sign of Jesus Christ's birth and the reference that God would destroy a civilisation just for a sign of his sons birth. I am a devoted christen. And the end was shocking. I found out Aurther C Clark was an atheist. The story is well written the narration is great.
If you are a christen be warned of the ending.
By the way I am very open minded and liberal yet I was dismayed by the ending.
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