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The Andromeda Anthology

Containing A For Andromeda and Andromeda Breakthrough

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The Andromeda Anthology

By: Fred Hoyle, John Elliott
Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown
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About this listen

 In addition to being the man who coined the term 'the Big Bang', world-renowned astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle also produced a fine body of science fiction. The Andromeda Anthology contains the acclaimed duology A for Andromeda and The Andromeda Breakthrough, co-written with John Elliot.

The close-knit group of scientists who work at the new radio telescope are shocked to receive a mysterious signal from the heart of the Andromeda galaxy. Working with mathematician Christine Jones, Dr John Fleming interprets the signal as the instructions to build a super-computer. When the computer begins to relay the information it receives from Andromeda, scientists find themselves possessing knowledge previously unknown to mankind, knowledge that could threaten the security of human life itself. Fiction Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera Astronomy
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The story is thematically great, but I found it difficult to absorb as the voice actor is very high-pitched and yet flat, regardless of the character being performed, and the narrative is close to a science fiction “Mills and Boon”. The only sentence missing was along the lines of- “I wanted to object, but Roger was so rugged and handsome, and I was only a girl, so I kept quiet”. As per the title, very much a book of its time.

Very much a product of its time.

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I gave this a good go but am not enjoying it. I recently read (as in, an actual book) The Black Cloud and thought it was excellent. But I’m not enjoying this audiobook.

In the first place I find it a bit pulpy and sexist - to be expected in some ways perhaps but it still jars. The female characters are all ciphers, even when they’ve got a significant role in the story. Maybe it’s down to the narrator, I can’t tell. The narrator is fine when she is delivering straightforward narration but I think she gets lost with so many different character voices. All the men have the same strange intonation and the women seem to go up an octave, despite the fact that the narrator’s voice is already quite high. Anyway, I can’t tell who is meant to be speaking half the time.

My quandary now is whether I return the book, since I recently had a stern email from audible accusing me of ‘abusing’ their service by returning too many books. My kneejerk reaction was to cancel my membership, as audible need to remember that customers are privileging them with our custom, not the other way around. Still, I was tempted back with a half price offer. But an unlistenable book remains unlistenable even when it was half price. So I don’t think I’ll be staying with audible too much longer to pay for the privilege of books I won’t listen to. Shame really 😕

Disappointed

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I was enthralled in the story ,it kept you listening for more. A very idealistic story with a beurocratic view of England. The failings of the characters kept you thinking who will succeed.

A very English perspective to science fantasy

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