Star Maker

By: Olaf Stapledon

Narrated by: Andrew Wincott

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

One moment a man sits on a suburban hill, gazing curiously at the stars. The next, he is whirling through the firmament, and perhaps the most remarkable of all science fiction journeys has begun. Even Stapledon's other great work, Last and First Men pales in ambition next to Star Maker which presents nothing less than an entire imagined history of life in the universe, encompassing billions of years.

©2012 Olaf Stapledon (P)2012 Audible Ltd

A fantastic Read

If you could sum up Star Maker in three words, what would they be?

No dialogue but full of ideas and imagination.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Star Maker?

The stars turning on the inhabitants of the galaxy.

incredible book

how can some of the best storytelling I've ever heard have no plot, actual characters, or even a timeline?

I don't really have an answer to this question, but it doesn't make it any less phenomenal. dwarfs the scale of every piece of science fiction I've ever read.

Interesting but tedious

Read like a cross between a text book and scripture. Many parts were very interesting. I can see how many sci-fi writers who followed would have been influenced by this work. No story to speak of - not in the traditional sense. With the benefit of many decades of thinking and written works since this book was first published, many of the ideas expressed - or rather, introduced - by author no longer "hold water".

A Spiritual Journey

Starmaker affords the reader one possible view of the grandeur of reality, which is beautiful in its ultimate simplicity, even if the human brain will never be able comprehend the finer details.

this book made me a wiser person

beautifully written, wonderfully narrated.

It reminded me of the Divine comedy and it's scope and it's conclusion but in a sci-fi rapper and sold with such wonderful philosophy.

Difficult to multi task with this story

Some moments were thought provoking, others dragged on, but I'm satisfied to have completed it

A Timeless Story

If you could sum up Star Maker in three words, what would they be?

Awesome, Expanding and Remarkable

What was one of the most memorable moments of Star Maker?

At the conclusion of the book the author wrote one of the best explanations of mankind's consciousness in relationship to all other potential forms of Being.

What about Andrew Wincott’s performance did you like?

I believe that he made the story come alive and I found that his voice never bothered me.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No single moment stood out however, the expanded state that was created within me grew steadily as I absorbed the story. I was constantly being challenged to reset and potentially accept the ideas that the author presents in the book. I loved this experience and recommend it to all.

Any additional comments?

Just because the book was written over 70 years ago don't think that it is dated. I would suggest that everyone allow themselves the experience of looking into the immense possibilities that exist and enjoy removing the self limiting thoughts and beliefs.

Brilliant, Imaginative, Profound

this is an amazing journey into the authors vision of the magnificence of the Multiverse. anyone who would like a mind opening experience of the vastus that we are all apart of should listen to this book comma maybe multiple times. it is written sometimes in a style reminiscent of a history lesson or a lecture and in those moments it can seem a little tedious. the story itself is not particularly compelling but the overall writing style is poetic and simply beautiful. make sure that you listen to it all the way to the end.

Most thoughtful SF

This is more a philosophy book than a science fiction book. The power of the ideas here is striking, and it has been influential not only to other writers, but to science as well. The writing is at a literary level, so this should be appealing to the steady diet of classics crowd as well.

This is in fact a classic, and bears rereading. It deserves more attention as a part of our literary heritage. This is worth the time. It may become a big part of your life.

You won't read anything greater in scope

A worthy follow-up to First And Last Men, but cannot surpass it. The sheer immensity of the book means there's no lack of interesting ideas and alien races, but I found myself drifting in and out in parts. I didn't feel that same connection that I had with First And Last Men. Perhaps this imperfect, far-from-cosmical mind can only perceive and enjoy things not so far removed from it. ;-)