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METAtropolis

By: Jay Lake, Tobias Buckell, Elizabeth Bear, John Scalzi, Karl Schroeder
Narrated by: Michael Hogan, Scott Brick, Kandyse McClure, Alessandro Juliani, Stefan Rudnicki, John Scalzi
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Publisher's Summary

Welcome to a world where big cities are dying, dead - or transformed into technological megastructures. Where once-thriving suburbs are now treacherous Wilds. Where those who live for technology battle those who would die rather than embrace it. It is a world of zero-footprint cities, virtual nations, and armed camps of eco-survivalists.

Welcome to the dawn of uncivilization.

METAtropolis is an intelligent and stunning creation of five of today's cutting-edge science-fiction writers: 2008 Hugo Award winners John Scalzi and Elizabeth Bear; Campbell Award winner Jay Lake; plus fan favorites Tobias Buckell and Karl Schroeder. Together they set the ground rules and developed the parameters of this "shared universe", then wrote five original novellas - all linked, but each a separate tale.

Bringing this audiobook to life is a dream team of performers: Battlestar Galactica's Michael Hogan ("Saul Tigh"); Alessandro Juliani ("Felix Gaeta"); and Kandyse McClure ("Anastasia 'Dee' Dualla"); plus legendary audiobook narrators Scott Brick (Dune) and Stefan Rudnicki (Ender's Game).

John Scalzi, who served as Project Editor, introduces each story, offering insight into how the METAtropolis team created this unique project exclusively for digital audio.

©2008 Joseph E. Lake, Jr., Tobias S. Buckell, Elizabeth Bear, John Scalzi, Karl Schroeder (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

  • 2009 Hugo Award nominee, Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form
  • 2009 Audie Award nominee, Original Work

“Each story shines on its own; as a group they reinforce one another, building a multifaceted view of a realistic and hopeful urban future.” (Publishers Weekly)
“Scalzi and his contributors/collaborators have created a fascinating shared urban future that each of them evokes with his or her particular strengths.... This stellar collection is a fascinating example of shared world-building.” (Booklist)
"This impressive group of writers imagines what happens when the world moves beyond cities as a locus of human civilization. The range of narrators...brings a unique narrative style to the production. Of the five narrators, all well chosen for the stories, Allessandro Juliani proves to be the best with his rendering of Scalzi's piece." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about METAtropolis

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

mixed

The second and last stories were probably the best of the bunch, third was alright, but I could have done without the first and fourth they were not great in my opinion. (sorry)

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  • Overall
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Interesting world building

I started the series with Metatropolis: Cascadia, which I found better. The good news is: the series starts good and gets better.
I’m

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting Ideas

The authors have created a universe where they can explore some future ideas. The stories are quite bleak. But also hopeful.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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fascinating

multiple writers & stories linked by the authors. truly intriguing if you understand internet etc a bit

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Narrators are great and match the story

First time listening to an anthology. For me each story was really enjoyable. John S was my favourite.

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  • Overall
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Fascinating look into the future!

All 5 authors have worked on a prediction of the future, writing stories that develop the theme over time, as well as by aspect. Thought provoking!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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Just couldnt get past the narration

I cant give any feedback about the stories themselves, as I could not get past the narration of the first story.
I listened for a few chapters but it ended up frustrating me so much, I couldn't take it any more. Every sentence seemed to trail off into a whisper. It was highly irritating.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely loved it

I can imagine the near future being just like this. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series

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