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The City and the Stars

By: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Geoffrey T. Williams
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Summary

A journey of discovery that will shake the foundations of everything the people of Earth have ever believed...

Diaspar is Earth's last city - surrounded by deserts, on a world where the oceans have long since dried up. It is a domed, isolated, technological marvel run by the Central Computer. Diaspar has conquered death. People are called forth from the Hall of Creation; they live for 1,000 years and then are recalled, stored in the Central Computer's memory, to be born thousands of years later, over and over again, with memories of earlier lives intact.

No one has entered or left Diaspar since anyone can remember. Its people have an unreasoning dread of the unknown, of the world outside the city. And no child has been born for at least 10 million years.

Until Alvin. He is unique. He has no past lives, no past memories. He also has no fear of the outside world. In fact he has an overwhelming curiosity, a drive to explore, to see what lies beyond the sterile boundaries of the city.

When he finally escapes, he discovers a place he could hardly have imagined: a country called Lys. Its people are telepathic. They know life and death. In Lys, Alvin finds friendship and love. And he begins his fateful journey to the stars and back. On his return he brings with him something so strange, so alien and powerful, that it will change the world forever. But for better or worse, not even Alvin can guess.

©1956 Arthur C. Clarke/Scovil Chichak Galen (P)2009 Geoffrey T.Williams
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What listeners say about The City and the Stars

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

brilliant book

The story itself is brilliant, the only issue I have with this audio book is the sound quality in places isn't particularly great.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Clarke's Masterpiece In Audiobook Format

A dramatisation of my favourite SF novel that works because of the quality of the story, rather than the production. I wasn't too happy with the American accents, or the largely flat, expressionless speech that broke up the narration. I never really believed that the characters were real people rather than actors reading a script aloud.
However, it's a brilliant story, and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to hear it realised in audio format. Time to read the novel itself again, I think.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Slow but absorbing story

Great imagination from Mr Clarke, as always. The visual imagery is so astounding, you want to reach out and touch it. Slow pace, but worth it. As an alternative to my real life, I wish I could transport myself to the city and the earth portrayed in this book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Arthur C Clarke at his best

This is a timless classic.. A fantastic journey into the distant future. where mankind's technological ability is without limit - but humanity has diverged into two very different groups.
I loved the scope and imagery of this wonderful book. I have played it many times. Highly recommended!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

The City and the Stars

the book is exellent - experience spoiled by background music

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5 people found this helpful