The Fall of Colossus

Colossus Trilogy Series, Book 2

By: D. F. Jones

Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan

The hugely powerful and pervasive presence of the Colossus supercomputer mechanically runs Earth and its myriad operations. Managed by its creator, Dr. Charles Forbin, it is incapable of lies and void of human emotion. It is not a robot and not human. As part of its brief to enhance the human race, it runs eerie emotion research centers, authorizing acts of savagery to measure resistance and feeling. Art and abstract creation are banned, and surveillance is constant. No one is free. The power of Colossus is spiraling out of control. The Sect worship it as a God, enforcing its word at every opportunity and seeking out traitors. The Fellowship secretly oppose it as a force of evil, and they risk their lives in a concentrated effort to destroy it and escape its domination. Meanwhile, as Forbin becomes increasingly disillusioned with what he has unleashed on the world, his wife, Cleo, becomes distant, with disastrous consequences.

©1974 D. F. Jones (P)2017 Tantor

5th time listening

Awesome trilogy 👌--- highly recommend. I've never listed to a story so many times. Won't be the last time either lol

Perfect story

I can find no fault with the story, beginning, middle or end. This is one of my most favorite books. I did criticize book one colossus of being a little bit slow, but this one is by no means slow. The narration is spot on also. I just love the Voice use for the Martians

Great Story, Outstanding Performance

Having listened to P.J. Ochlan's performance of the first book, I couldn't wait to download this sequel.
Although the writing reflects the society of the time when it was written (1974), and references to smoking and printouts jar a little to our 21st century ears, it is still a great story with themes that are highly relevant today. The strengths and weaknesses of our humanity, power hierarchies, emotional adaptation under stress, our reliance on technology. These are evergreen topics, and the book handles them in an interesting way.
The story moves along well, giving you just enough anticipation without spoiling the suspense.
The real joy here is P.J.'s performance. He gives each character a unique and nuanced voice that adds so much to the writing. This is especially true when he tackles the non-human characters. It's a truly impressive performance, and he doesn't hold back. If you enjoyed the (I think underrated) movie of the first book, you will be pleasantly surprised by his fresh take on the characters.
This is a series I will come back to again, both to listen to how P.J. shapes his characters so well, and for the shear entertainment of it.
If you like classic science fiction, and tremendous voice acting, start this trilogy today!

Well worth the wait

Having Watch the '70 classic sci-fi film, Colossus:The Forbin Project, a gazillion times, listening to the sequel was definitely worth the wait. Fast forward 5 years after Colossus took complete control of the world's defense and political systems, it was fascinating to find out how the world and its inhabitants had drastically changed: no war, no poverty... It was suspenseful, terrifying at times, and overall a great "read."

still reading/listening

have to do the whole series just to make sure AI is not going to be the same