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Blue Remembered Earth

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Blue Remembered Earth

By: Alastair Reynolds
Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
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About this listen

One hundred and fifty years from now, in a world where Africa is the dominant technological and economic power, and where crime, war, disease, and poverty have been banished to history, Geoffrey Akinya wants only one thing: to be left in peace, so that he can continue his studies into the elephants of the Amboseli basin.

But Geoffrey's family, the vast Akinya business empire, has other plans. After the death of Eunice, Geoffrey's grandmother, erstwhile space explorer and entrepreneur, something awkward has come to light on the Moon, and Geoffrey is tasked - well, blackmailed, really - to go up there and make sure the family's name stays suitably unblemished.

But little does Geoffrey realise - or anyone else in the family, for that matter - what he's about to unravel. Eunice's ashes have already have been scattered in sight of Kilimanjaro. But the secrets she died with are about to come back out into the open, and they could change everything. Or shatter this near-utopia into shards....

2013, John W. Campbell Memorial Award, Short-listed

©2012 Alastair Reynolds (P)2012 Orion Publishing Group Limited Adventure Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera
All stars
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Great voice acting, I loved the plot and the following two books make for an excellent flowing tale.

One of the best on Audible

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Excellent story, have enjoyed Alastair Reynolds books for many years, good to have the audiobook version. Great narration.

Wonderful version

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Near-future upbeat mystery, with eye-opening AI themes. Highly recommend.
Holdbrook-Smith is amazing.

Brilliantly narrated solar system ride

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Simply one of the best! Great story, fascinating worlds and philosophy. I find Reynolds' writing gets better and better... inspiringly so. it's not just the hard sci-fi style anymore but also mixed in with greater level of character building, pondering of philosophy questions and elegant literature on its own... Reader's performance is absolutely stunning. The last book I was completely satisfied with was Hyperion Cantos and I have been searching for a book like this for long... highly recommend!

Best of Reynolds yet!!

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I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want it to end! hubbub hhvbhuy hgcccvb

Great plot

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Possibly Alastair Reynolds' best work, and it's a story set resolutely outside the anglosphere with nary a white face to be seen. The plot tended to ramble a bit, but a lot of that was probably setup for the trilogy. I enjoyed the ride. Whoever made The Expanse into a TV series needs to option this.

The narrator was astonishing. So many accents, so many distinct voices, all handled flawlessly. I didn't spot a single error (not like the guy who could never pronounce "interstices" properly in any of the Revelation Space books). I would actually recommend hunting down anything that Kobna Holdbrook-Smith narrates, just to get more of him. Bravo!

Spectacular narrator, above average story

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What the title says, a view of the lives of a brother and sister which forms the lens with which to view where humans have been, who we are, and where we might go. Features v interesting biology, evolution, neuroscience, AI, philosophy, the works. Really ambitious breadth and depth, a little slow at times, but v well done.

Only gripe is small and pedantic, especially when the narrator is one of the most gifted in the business - so many unique characters each feeling distinct and real - but my brain was immensely distracted by the pronouncing of the word ‘room’ as ‘rhoom’.

Deep characters, fascinating biology/history/tech

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Great story, but I could listen to Kobna Holdbrook-Smith read the telephone book and still hand over 5 stars!
Regarding the story, Alastair Reynolds seems to be really hitting his stride with this one. Looking forward to listening to the next one in the series.

I'm in love!

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(TLDR; Do yourself a favour and take these stories for a spin!)
As a lifetime compulsive reader of quality literature I can safely say that few authors compare to Reynolds in imagination, complexity, maturity, consistency and raw intellect. This particular trilogy is wild, awe inspiring and gorgeous. Definitely his most beautiful creation to date. I find myself re-reading it whenever I need comfort, fortitude and - rather strangely - it somehow always feels like home despite the vast and epic stage upon which it plays out.
Kobna Holbrook-Smith's narration is some of the best out there, and the next installment is narrated by the incredible Adjoah Andoh. Couldn't have picked better if I'd tried.

Whipsmart and stunningly beautiful

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But with this book unlike his others that I give fours and fives.
The first three quarters was slow and hard to get through to the point I nearly gave up
The main character I found annoying, he's like a stubborn child.
It does redeem itself in the last quarter though. I'm torn as to if I will read another in the series but if it carries on at the same place it ended on, I probably will.
The score I have given is due to the first parts a two with the last part a four.

Big fan of Reynolds and have read most his books

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