A Voyage to Arcturus

really great reading of a bizarre tale

(5 stars)

darthlaurel

PLOT SPOILERS.....you've been warned. I'll waste some space by saying that I doubt I would have seen this story to the end without the great skill and abilities of our intrepid reader. I think this is the weirdest, most bizarre, thematically incoherent sci fi story I've ever listened to. What was the point? As a philosophical exercise, it was just a downer. Luckily I kept pretending to myself that it was a real story. That kept me going. By the time I got close to the end, it was minding me of Nietzsche, whom I believe was mental. The beginning is a total red herring. Halfway through the end I was totally ready for our anti-hero to die. What a ****. Still....five stars because I didn't read it myself and this is one of the very best readers of science fiction on Librevox. Thanks for reading!

Fantastic Piece of Allegory/Philosophy

(5 stars)

David Shorten

I've listened through this three times now, and it won't be the last. Mark Nelson does a great job giving distinct voices to a wide array of characters in this highly underrated fantasy story. Set in a beautifully and uniquely composed world, the imagery of Arcturus as well as the dialogue between the protagonist and the various inhabitants therein pose to the reader some of the most worthy questions one can encounter regarding love, pain and purpose. It is the furthest thing from a light read (listen), but absolutely worth the challenge.

Horrendous except the reader

(1 stars)

David Stame

What-the-FUDGE?! I've never actually been angry after listening to a story! My only question is, what kind of drugs was the author taking at the time of writing? Actually, my other question is why such a masterful reader waste his talents on such contrived dribble! from start to finish, it had no purpose! the first 2 chapters might as well be omitted save it introduces a couple characters. It's obvious from the beginning that the story is a metaphor for but horribly conceived! the dialogs made no sense. the analogies presented were inane, and I'll timed. I want to do some research into the author just to see if he's alive just so I can ask what was going on in his (or hers) life at the time. Then I'd like to meet the publisher whom thought this book was worth printing! I think somebody's palms got greased of you get my meaning. after that one, I'm gonna take some time away from books and stories. and reflect on whether life is worthwhile! A part of me is dear now! Oy vey!

quite the most bizarre story yet

(3 stars)

Akku

Well, I'm going to Google now to see if anyone has written up a guide to what the heck that was all about. it was enjoyablely read, and there's some really interesting (occasionally both advanced and anachronistic) ideas about gender explored, and the ideas on transgender is also quite ahead of its time which surprised me. but generally the story is akin to participating by proxy in someone else's acid trip. The protagonist is so hateful as a person he actually made me laugh as much as be angry at him. utter incoherent madness, but curiously fun

Well-read, weird book, bad conclusion

(3 stars)

Stephen

This book is definitely well-read; I admire the reader. I ca’n’t speak so favourably of the book itself, though. It goes through various twists and turns, each character the protagonist meets having a different philosophy, and a different lesson, generally disproving most of what the last one said. Ultimately, a sort of Ubermensch idea, where one is dominated by nothing, especially by no pleasure, is presented as the true way for man.

(5 stars)

D. K.

Unbelievable that this was written when it was. The even more amazing thing to me is that someone published this book. There are some comments about sexuality, religion and society that could not have benn common for the time in any book, let alone a science fiction book. Wonderfully imaginative story that has more to offer upon each re-reading. Mark Nelson, the best Librivox reader, does a wonderful job as always.

A book that tries too hard

(5 stars)

Phyzic

5 stars for the reader. The book is good for 11hours of content, all of which is a pretty mess and full of attempts to create something artful though in the end feels more like narcissism and self loathing. Worth a listen if you try not to think

(3 stars)

ZB

the reading is excellent! thanks be to the reader. The book is very intellectual but excruciatingly boring…Oh, how boring it is… Evidently the author knew much, the book is very deep and intelligent. However, to enjoy it, one must be made of a certain stuff, which I, personally, lack.