Grab Tiger Tiger by the tail.

This book read in the context of the time it was written is all the more impressive. It has aged somewhat, certainly in the way we view women. Mostly it’s offers up fresh takes on its universe. The human based narrative and subsequent transformation of its thoroughly unlikeable central character is its real compelling element. Few books do this better.

And however simplistic the central premise that people suddenly find they can teleport if they really really want to enough is rather hard to swallow it remains a uniquely readable book.

Old science fiction fanboys like myself will enjoy the journey if they haven’t read this already. Enrich your library and buy this little flawed but glorious gem. It’s worth a gaze.

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Top quality Sci-Fi

Plot, pacing, language, ideas, character, worldbuilding - it has it all. Engaging from the opening sentence. Really well performed. Head and shoulders above other ‘included’ books on audible that I’ve encountered (so far)

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Amazing book, original beyond any normal sci-fi

This is a truly remarkable book, it is engrossing and thought provoking. Rightfully regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi books ever written.

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Wonderful cyberpunk novel

It's got everything a cyberpunk novel needs. The rough hero, the mysterious corporations. It's simply brilliant and I cannot recommend it enough.

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Timeless Space Extravaganza

A visceral animated story that painted Steampunk pictures in my head. I heard about it in a podcast - The Sketpics Guide to the Universe.

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Absolutely brilliant, epic sci-fi.

Despite thinking of myself as a Sci-Fi fan, I'd never encountered any Bester before this and as such had no expectations, but my god was I pleasantly surprised. Bester appears to be a master of the anti-hero protagonist (see also Demolished Man) and his scope for world building, nay universe building is second to none. He tells a fantastic story here, reaching through time and space with a huge arc of plot and character development. I was hooked from the first chapter, never once bored and ultimately satisfied by the end.

At first hearing of Gerard Doyle's narration I was a little unsure, but by the third page I was settled in and realised that he's a fantastic talent. To the extent now that I couldn't bear to not have him read Bester. It really is a marriage made in the stars. So make this your next Audible destination!

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3 people found this helpful

First Sci-fi book ever: Sci-fi, ESP and philosophy

Sci-fi and ESP. I'd heard they went together in the past, but first story i know about it.


I like the evolution of the a "class" society, where the lower class people and even their language have degraded, and such the leaders have taken it upon themself to be the religion. I also really like the ending, and how this ESP wad intergrated, labyrints to disorientate, people jaunting instead of going on an airplane.
Though it's clear that the book was written in 1950's, as it contains some... people who really had a different charecter and a matter capable of changing the face of warfare, like the atom bomb did.
And all this is just the world where the main charecter is dumped to slowly starve and be wrath incarnate.

But yeah, fascinating story which makes you punder, adequate worldbuilding, and my favorite robot malfunctioning to develop intelligence... which might be common there?

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A brilliant and intelligent story

Unburdened by tech this story is clever, entertaining and timeless. Beautifully narrated too. A real page turner.

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Dated in places, but still great.

Been aware of this one for years, and never got 'round to it. Really enjoyed loads of the ideas.

The central antihero character arc is a bit odd. It's not 100% clear to me exactly what changed inside Gully and how. I still recommend it though.

I think this could be updated a little to make a great film.

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Spending pennies you ...

One of the best sci-fi stories of all-time

The stars within. A yell to the wind. Blood the taste of my sin, stripes of my sin.Smoke is my grin. The stars within...Pigs you...The stars within.. Selling your glass beads, stamping pearls to the ground. Why you...The stars within, where is your destination? Pennies you...
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