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The Gone-Away World

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The Gone-Away World

By: Nick Harkaway
Narrated by: Matt Bates
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About this listen

The Jorgmund Pipe is the backbone of the world, and it's on fire. Gonzo Lubitsch, professional hero and troubleshooter, is hired to put it out - but there's more to the fire than meets the eye. A story of love and loss; of ninjas and pirates; and of a friendship stretched beyond its limits. But it is also the story of a world, not unlike our own, in desperate need of heroes - however unlikely they may seem.

©2008 Nick Harkaway (P)2014 W F Howes Ltd Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction

Critic Reviews

"Breathtakingly ambitious... A bubbling cosmic stew of a book, written with such exuberant imagination that you are left breathless by its sheer ingenuity." ( Observer)
"A post-apocalyptic triumph... Immensely rewarding... Genuinely terrifying." ( The Times)
All stars
Most relevant
Initially I didn’t think I’d like this book. The writing was so much more verbose and descriptive than novels I’ve read recently. But then it clicked and I was hooked into this mind-bending, totally surreal, frightening but also beautiful world. Nick Harkaway’s way with words enveloped me and I could clearly see, smell and feel the make believe.

Wow. That was a mind-warping journey

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Quintessentially British in its turns of phrase and sense of humour and written by someone who can really write - both in terms of expression and in terms of having something consequential to say about human motivations and drives, including about love, forgiveness, forbearance and friendship. Science fiction at the better side of soft and good company to Atwood and Mitchell.

Inventive and genuinely both funny and moving

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The first time I read this, I nearly gave up. I really struggled with keeping the story straight, and then it really stopped making sense half way through. If you’re having a similar experience, I’m here to say “Don’t give up! Trust the process, it’s worth it!!” This has become a perennial favourite book of mine - poignant, surprisingly funny, tender and insightful. A parable of what happens if we let ourselves become a cog in the machine. Stick with it, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

a gem that gets better with each subsequent reading

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Superlative writing and the best narration I have heard in a very very long time. I wonderful

Simply awesome from start finish - I almost started to read it all over again but I'll save that treat for a little while longer

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It had an unusual style but it was hard to get through because of all the superfluous showy language and ideas stretched too far. Tried too hard to be funny, and didn't create depth of character, particularly in the females.

Overtold and garrulous

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