The Last Question

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Jim Gallant

Length: 1 hr and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is a story that goes beyond space and time. Isaac Asimov takes on a journey that explores the ultimate fate of the universe, along with the question, what will become of the human race?

So take a journey into the outer twilight of your mind. Turn off the light, sit back and relax, close your eyes, and enter the infinite universe of your imagination.

©2007 Bob E. Flick (P)2007 Bob E. Flick

Critic reviews

"Few authors can claim his consistently high level of excellence." ( Galaxy magazine)

Mildly thought provoking

Perhaps it's just dated and what I'm doing is the equivalent of critiquing Star Wars special effects 30 years later, but I truly do recall having more sophisticated contemplations of the main topic of this story before leaving high school. So, I'll just say that this story is a good introduction to the idea of the "heat death" of the universe, from a philosophical point of view.

Great story, mediocre performance

Performance took away from the story. The last 15 minutes or so was nothing but sound/music. Would been way better to abruptly end it at the book's climax for maximum effect.

The music is distracting; the story super interest

I'm left wishing there was just a normal reading of this book as the music sometimes over powers the reader and is generally distracting. The style of the reading, generally speaking is also bleak; I don't understand why this creative decision was made as the story itself doesn't imply a fatalist point of view.

Why do I have last 3 chapters of nothing?

Why do I have last 3 chapters of nothing?

Good story. Just so many fillers in between and at the end.

Good realization

It's an amazing short book, but there should be a warning that half of it is just music.

Out of this world!

Narrator speaks a bit fast between sentences sometimes. Otherwise stellar read! A great soundtrack too!

it was okay

Only half of the runtime is the story the rest is music. It sounds as it it might have been a theatrical production turned audio book. Could've left it a theatrical production

Terrific First Half!

The first half of this audiobook is a great, however it's misleading with the time since the second half is only a soundtrack and no dialog or narration.

Great story, weird format

Story, sound effects, and narrator were all on point. As usual, as sci-fi stories approach the actual date they're set in, the technology in them begins to feel more and more dated. For a story published in the 50s though, he had some pretty amazing ideas.

Just be mindful of the fact that the book ends at about 50-60%. The rest is a bonus soundtrack, so you're actually not getting a full hour of book. Not a big deal, but something to keep in mind so you're not disappointed when the book ends 'early.'

half assimov

the book is an hour but the last 28 minutes is all twanged out space music.