The Swarm cover art

The Swarm

A Novel of the Deep

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The Swarm

By: Frank Schätzing, Sally-Ann Spencer - translator
Narrated by: George Weightman
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About this listen

More gripping than Crichton, classier than Cussler, Frank Schätzing's record-breaking ecological thriller is now in audiobook.

Frank Schätzing's amazing novel is a publishing phenomenon with translation rights sold around the world, drawing rave reviews for both pulsating suspense and great scientific knowledge.

The world begins to suffer an escalating and sensational series of natural disasters, and two marine biologists begin to develop a theory that the cause lies in the oceans, where an entity know as the Yrr has developed a massive network of single-cell organisms. It is wreaking havoc in order to prevent humankind from destroying the Earth's ecological balance forever.

The Americans, under the ruthless General Judith Lee, take a more pragmatic approach than the scientists, seeking to wipe out the being of the deep.

The scene is set for a massive confrontation....

©2004 Verlag Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Koln (P)2004 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Adventure Genre Fiction Science Fiction Sea Adventures Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant
Thought the narration was good. Can be difficult to differentiate lots of characters but this was ok. Felt the America-centric themes were tongue in cheek but it became nauseatingly overplayed. Far too heavy handed and a more subtle approach would have been just as powerful. no need to be so obvious when we are all aware. Too many disposable female character for me, especially early on. Got through it but can’t say I’ll be looking for a follow up or anything else by the same author.

Up and down

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A masterful story, brilliantly narrated.
I read it in the German originally but my German wasn’t quite up to the task of sustaining it to the end. My bad. The translation is excellent.

It’s a story you have to think into. It starts sooooo slowly that’s it’s almost painful. Schaetzing gives way too much time to developing the micro plots in the first section. But, like any grand steam engine, it takes its time to get going. When it does, the momentum is enthralling and the micro plots then all make sense, quite movingly in some cases. As I said, masterful. And a wonderful job. Having done the whole 30 something hours, I’m going to do it again. Because it’s worth it.

Very good

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Good story and pace, reminds me of all the distruction mankind is doing to our beautiful Earth. we will pay a price, this could be one way.

The Swarm, Great Story, it makes you think 🤔

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Great story idea, stromg characters, and in classic science fiction tradition it throws thought and provoked reflection I learnt a lot, honesty. But the ideology,I don't mean left or right, or climate debate. The last third is just painful to listen to. Bitter, twisted, hateful are the words that come to mind. It nearly made me dismiss a great story.

Good, shame it isn't great

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i would say the story is great upto the last couple of chapters upto part 5 and epilogue... seemed a big rush to finish after a huge buildup and then its over and were talking about humanaties struggle with God in many forms of religion throughout the universe.
i heard there making a film of the book so lets hope they dont use as many scene references to the Abyss as this book does.

very nearly almost brilliant

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