Furious Gulf

Galactic Center, Book 5

By: Gregory Benford

Narrated by: Sephen Hoye, Harlan Ellison, Janis Ian, Cassandra Campbell, Kristoffer Tabori, Stefan Rudnicki, Ted Scott, Gabrielle de Cuir

Few writers have successful blended hard science and speculation with fully realized characters as Gregory Benford has in his critically acclaimed novels. Now he draws us into a vortex of mystery and danger at the heart of the galaxy in his dazzling epic drama, Furious Gulf.

Containing the remnants of humanity from the planet Snowglade, the spaceship Argo hurtles toward its uncertain destiny, the bold and brilliant Captain Killeen at its helm. But he has grown increasingly isolated and anguished in command. The ship’s gardens are failing, its voyagers face starvation, and there are dark whispers within, talk of mutiny. Killeen’s will, however, remains as strong as ever, his determination to reach the True Center of the galaxy bordering on obsession.

Amid a mad swirl of incandescent suns and ghostly blue clouds of galactic dust, beset by hostile worlds controlled by the mechs – a vast and violent artificial intelligence whose only meaning, only mission, is the complete extermination of the human race - Killeen pursues his desperate search, convinced his people’s one hope of survival lies in the True Center. The crew has followed him this far on faith, a faith now being tested to the limit. Even his own son Toby, groomed for leadership, is beginning to question his father’s command.

As the Argo undertakes a perilous quest into the unknown, Toby faces his own journey into the mysteries of adulthood. Like the others in this Family of voyagers, Toby’s spine contains microchip implants holding the memories – the legacy – of his race. But just as the technology designed to save his people may tear Toby himself apart, so his father’s desperate gamble to save the Argo may plunge the ship and its inhabitants into a cosmic pit of all-consuming fire.

In this extraordinary novel, part of an interconnected series of novels that began with In the Ocean of Night and continued in Across the Sea of Suns, Great Sky River, and Tides of Light, Gregory Benford explores the fundamental nature of human development and discovery. Across the gulf that stretches between fear and faith, past and future, we watch in wonder as an age-old question continues…the quest for the fulfillment of an individual, for the evolution of a species, for the immortality of the soul.

©1994 Abbenford Associates (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Tedious

The story became incredibly boring and vague. It had some good spots here and there, but it was simply tedious, overall. The feeling I had through most of the book was: "When is this going to end?". Then, I decided that I was not going to get the next book in the series, until the hook on the end.

So, now I have started Sailing Bright Eternity. If it turns out that the hook was simply that, a cheap hook, I'm gonna return it and be done with this series. And this author, really.

Filler

So far these books have left me with the impression of " let me make a short story long". The author has a great story line but makes it nearly unbearable. It seems like he must of outlined a basic storyline then thought"how many pages do I need" and then proceeds with putting monotonous adjectives as filler. Really got tiring and almost made me stop if not for the overall storyline. The author appears like he is impressed with himself as to how many meaningless adjectives he can use.

great

very good. nice way to continue the story. excellent performance by the author. such a wonderful grasp of physics embedded in the story

Great performance, decent story

Any additional comments?

This book makes for a good transition between some of the earlier tales of the Bishop's (and humanity's) struggles for survival and the conclusion of this series in the next book. The story itself is enjoyable but perhaps not as strong as some of the other books in the series. With that said, it does a good job of setting up what is likely to be an epic conclusion.

Riveting story line. Rooting for humanity.

Narration was exceptional. Difficult to out it down. Cried when Toby was forced to abandon Quath. Can't wait to the next book in the series.