Sundiver cover art

Sundiver

The Uplift Saga, Book 1

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Sundiver

By: David Brin
Narrated by: George Wilson
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About this listen

 David Brin's Uplift novels are among the most thrilling, highly regarded works of contemporary science fiction. Beginning with Sundiver, Brin provides an intriguing exploration of humanity's future in the universe.

For nearly a billion years, every known sentient species in the universe has been the result of genetic and cultural guidance - or "uplifting" - by a previously uplifted patron race. Then humans are discovered. Having already uplifted chimps and dolphins, humanity clearly qualifies as an intelligent species, but did they actually evolve their own intelligence, or did some mysterious patron race begin the process, then suddenly abandon Earth? The answer to this mystery might be as close as our own sun, but it will take a daring dive into its fiery interior to know for sure.

Sundiver begins David Brin's thoughtful, exhilarating exploration of a future filled with an imaginative array of strange alien races, dazzling scientific achievements, and age-old enigmas.

©1980 David Brin (P)2001 Recorded Books Adventure Fantasy First Contact Science Fiction Space Opera Feel-Good
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Bought this based on the 4.2 star rating alone and really tried to like it but I found the rate at which I physically cringed in contact embarrassment for the author steadily increased until I could listen no more (and this was over 10 hours in so I really did give him every chance).
Initially I thought - sure, I get it: nostalgic gumshoe murder mystery set in space - but the more I listened, the more I thought that you don't have to be an Incel to enjoy this but it definitely helps.

As I said - I didn't finish this so maybe it all gets better but the point at which the author descended into benevolent misogyny was so ridiculous that nothing could convince me to continue.

The voice acting is OK but perhaps I'm being influenced by the reader's similarity to the voice of Nick Valentine in Fallout 4, a character that I spent many hours with and loved.

Maybe this was meant to be experienced as ironic comedy but if so I missed it and you should too.

Cringe turned up to 11

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