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Sphere

By: Michael Crichton
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's Summary

“Ingenious and beguiling.” - Time

“Crichton keeps us guessing at every turn in his best work since The Andromeda Strain.” - Los Angeles Times

Sphere may be Crichton’s best novel, but even if it ranked only second or third, it would be a must for suspense fans.” - Miami Herald

A classic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Crichton, Sphere is a bravura demonstration of what he does better than anyone: riveting storytelling that combines frighteningly plausible, cutting-edge science and technology with pulse-pounding action and serious chills. The gripping story of a group of American scientists sent to the ocean floor to investigate an alien ship, only to confront a terrifying discovery that defies imagination, Sphere is Crichton prime - truly masterful fiction from the ingenious mind that brought us Prey, State of Fear, and Jurassic Park.

Sphere was made into a film directed by Barry Levinson, which starred Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, and Samuel L. Jackson.

©1987 by CrichtonSun LLC. (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

"A page-turner with oomph.... Crichton's writing is cinematic, with powerful visual images and nonstop action." --Newsweek

What listeners say about Sphere

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

thrilling sci-fi adventure

I've listened to half a dozen Michael Crichton books and I thoroughly enjoyed Sphere. It not as technical as Airframe and doesn't have the intensity of Jurassic Park, it sits comfortably between the two.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Caz
  • 12-10-2018

Imagine this book never existed... [said Harry]

ah, that's better, Beth said. Let's forget it ever was... said Norman...
I struggled through this entire thing ever hopeful that it would get interesting, but it didn't.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thrilling, frightening and original.

I couldn't stop listening to it. This was an excellent story where I just needed to know what happened next.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely captivating

Probably one of the best stories I have listened too ever.
Thoroughly recommended to all.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Struggled to Finish

I really disliked this book - I persisted with it, hoping it would improve or become clearer or more interesting, but if anything, the ending was even more disappointing than what preceded it.
The narration was very good, no complaint at all there, but he had poor material to work from.
I chose this title because I admire Michael Crichton's work in many genres, but The Sphere is not at all representative of his true abilities, in my opinion. The story was dense and needlessly chaotic, the characters poorly developed and writing flat and repetitive. I tried to return this book after a few hours listening but couldn't figure out the convoluted process, so endured it to the end.
Now, I am going to persist and find the 'return' process because I will NEVER listen to The Sphere again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A good read but the twists were average

A good read but the twists were average. Good but afterwards it’s kinda just ok

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable ride, though maybe a little long

I enjoyed the story. it was a fun ride, though perhaps a little long by the time the third act rolled around.

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