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Utopia
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Publisher's Summary
Critic Reviews
"Child proves he is capable of fireworks (literally) at the rousing conclusion." (Publishers Weekly)
"The blend of technological jargon and suspense results in a real thrill-a-minute read." (Booklist)
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What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
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3.5 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars1
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4 Stars0
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3 Stars1
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2 Stars0
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3 out of 5 stars
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- hughie522
- 18-09-2018
Awesome setting and characters, so-so story
Utopia, the titular theme park, is a wonder to behold. It's like Disneyland meets Westworld. Child's descriptions are lavish and awe inspiring. The characters, though cliched, are enjoyable. The dynamic between the protagonist and his teenager daughter is spot on. The villain is everything you love to hate - suave, sophisticated but also cold and calculating. Scott Brick's narration is wonderful; his voice is like honey and the inflections he uses to represent different characters is very good. The plot is a let down though. Like the park's attractions, the story is all smoke and mirrors, an excuse to propel the characters from A to B. Once we leave the wonders of the park behind and the story switches to the protagonist's efforts to foil the villain's plans directly, the whole thing falls apart. What's left is a generic resolution to a generic heist story, the sort of thing we've all seen a dozen times before. It's a shame, because Utopia is an amazing bit of world building - the true highlight of this book. It's worth a read, though honestly I was expecting more.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Patti
- 01-10-2003
Utopia (unabridged)
The roller coaster on the cover of this book says it all. I got this unabridged audio from the original publisher and thought it was worth every $ I spent. I've shared it with a few friends and it's always slow coming back because they just have to let their husband or wife listen to it also. I've been a fan of the Preston & Child books for years and I think Lincoln Child might even be better as a solo writer. I won't waste space with a synopsis of the book as Audible has done that already on the abridged listing.
You get involved with the main characters quickly, and the robotic and computer systems running this theme park are intriguing even for my non technical friends. This is much more of a thriller than a mystery or a horror story. I figured out the "who done it?" part early on, but I don't think the author was trying for another Agatha Christie novel, the roller coaster ride is what this book's about. I've read a couple reviews saying the ending was stretched out. I must admit it did seem that way but I thought it was because I couldn't wait to know how it turned out. This book will never be on Oprah's list. It doesn't try to be the next great American novel, but it's a great way to spend a long commute.
As always Scott Brick is a top-notch narrator who doesn't disappoint. Get the unabridged edition, you're going to want to spend awhile at this Park. When you get this book be ready to sit back strap in and just have fun.
49 of 49 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- B J
- 03-02-2004
Will make you forget you are driving
I am not a huge fan of thrillers, but decided this one had enough technology added in to keep me interested, and I am glad I got it. Great commute listening! I found myself constantly engaged, so much so that I had to be careful I wasn't just poking along on the highway. Some parts are a bit over-drawn out, and I had the bad egg figured out right from the start, but the descriptions of the park, wow...would love to go to an amusement park like that, without John Doe. The readers is fantastic. He does accents well and even does the female characters justice. First male reader I've heard who does do a consistently good job with female characters. Sometimes he forgets the accents while reading, but not enough to distract from the overall quality.
23 of 23 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Brenda
- 23-03-2007
Awesome
A real page turner. Great story. Good insight into the development of futuristic robotics. Excellent character development. Couldn't put this one down. Highly recommend.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- L S
- 31-01-2010
Fantastic!
I've been listening to audiobooks for years and there is no better narrator than Scott Brick. His character's voices are clearly distinguishable from one another, he never mispronounces words, he always get's the inflections right and uses the correct emphasis on the words. In addition to flawless narration, it seems he's very particular about the quality of the book he chooses to narrate, like a superstar actor who has his pick of roles. This book is no exception. It is well written and exciting. It's a great listen!
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- dan Morgan
- 01-12-2007
Utopia
A good book, but it got a bit long and wordy after a while. Overall, I would recommend it. Good reading by Scott brick.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- William Bryan
- 01-12-2007
A must listen
I will never look at an amusement park the same way again. We all know there must be a “behind the curtain” where the magic is made. However, the thought of evils lurking there has never crossed my mind. This book is better than a roller costar. You will love the build to the top, the screaming plunges and the twists and turns are to die for…yes die for.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert
- 17-09-2014
GREAT STORY!
Wow, just wow.. What a great story. Very well written and very suspenseful. Utopia has all the great hallmarks that make a good story, all the story-line milestones. Wonderfully developed characters, with rich and deliberate parts to play. Funny at times, sad at times, brilliant at times.
I recommend this book, x10. =P
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Marie
- 04-01-2005
Absolutely a Utopian Read
Suspenseful, absolutely thrilling and awesome, felt like I was right there in the story. A great read for any amusement park fan or suspense-thriller enthusiast. I fell in love with "Wingnut" the robotic dog, he's so adorable! I loved this book and think anyone who enjoys books with alot of action and surprising turns around every corner is sure to love this book about a state-of-the-art amusement park and some unfortunate events. A must have.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Matthew
- 26-12-2003
Tricked
It's funny how I came to listen to this particular audiobook. I mistakenly thought I was downloading "Utopia" by Thomas More, a book written in 1516 about an ideal world. I generally don't listen to thrillers, so this was a somewhat new experience for me. That being said, I really enjoyed the book. Although the foreshadowing was (in my opinion) a bit overdone, cluing the reader into major plot elements to come, there were enough new plot elements introduced every minute to keep you excited. The narrator does a fine job, even if the chief of security does end up sounding a bit like Christopher Walkin. I don't regret getting this book, and I enjoyed listening the entire time, but it didn't end up teaching me as much about life as I'd hoped.
24 of 27 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janels
- 21-03-2013
Great mindbender by Child, great narration
To anyone who has spent any time at large amusement parks (I lived near Disney World for awhile), this is too close for comfort. So many points hit home and ring true. This was a farfetched (as are many of Child's) but close enough to reality to cause pause. Scott Brick, as usual does a masterful job; but someone has GOT to clue him in on how to pronounce "careened". He has pronounced it "karinned" in one too many books. Other than that, typically masterful in suspense and unique subject matter.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mrs
- 24-07-2014
really good fun
If you could sum up Utopia in three words, what would they be?
completely bonkers fun
What other book might you compare Utopia to, and why?
All the Lincoln Child books are exciting rides of fantasy
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
yes
Any additional comments?
The narrator was excellent and kept me riveted.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms. A. Allin
- 24-01-2018
Amazing story
I loved this book and highly recommend it. A rollercoaster of thrills that make it far too difficult to get any sleep!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Clare
- 12-07-2016
Slow start, but picks up quickly...
I nearly gave up at first, not quite sure why, but glad I stuck with it... A classic Lincoln Child storyline and would recommend to people who like a good, non-gruesome, action-thriller-mystery type book with good guys, bad guys and a ticking clock!