Blindsight

By: Peter Watts

Narrated by: T. Ryder Smith

Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in 2082, Peter Watts' Blindsight is fast-moving, hard SF that pulls readers into a futuristic world where a mind-bending alien encounter is about to unfold.

After the Firefall, all eyes are locked heavenward as a team of specialists aboard the self-piloted spaceship Theseus hurtles outbound to intercept an unknown intelligence.

©2006 Peter Watts (P)2008 Recorded Books LLC

Cosmic Dissonance

Can become overburdened with scientific jargon and technical buzzwords. Not really an issue for me but I can see it being so for others. Ultimately, I was engrossed by the vast cosmic indifference Watts' universe embodies. Its horror elements weaved within this science fiction piece won me over. Easily my top five favorites.

I'm going to be thinking about this for a while

Great scifi sticks with you. It changes how you see the world in a fundamental way. I found out about this book in subtle ways that didn't prepare me for the impact it would have.

Sagàn?!

has the narrator never heard of Carl Sagan?

anyway, the story is interesting and engaging if not totally rational. they seem to be playing a prisoner's dilemma kinda thing with a potential alien species but they're so petrified of giving the slightest advantage that they all end up interacting with the aliens in riddles and when that doesn't work, torturing captives to see what makes them tick. at the end, the conclusion seems to be a bizarre assertion that it's "chinese rooms" all the way down and the entire story doesn't really conclude in a satisfying way.

interesting that all the protagonists are non neuro-typicals with a wild assortment of maladies and remixes. the protagonist himself is very uncomfortable in his human skin and stands outside of humanity looking in and wondering why everyone does what they do. does make me wonder if the author himself is autistic to some degree because a lot of the musings and thoughts about being on the outside feel genuine and well trod over.

a bit frustrating, a bit elliptical, a bit on the side of MORE EXPLANATION NEEDED HERE... but a nice dip into space horroresque fiction.

Perfect Science Fiction.

One of my all time favorites. Highly recommended for people that have already read the book as well. You should have no trouble following if you haven't read it but the performance of the narrator is so good and the details are so rich that it just gets better with repeat listenings.

Please record the Rifters Series next!

fantastic

it's a great story and the narration is absolutely perfect… I highly recommend this book. One of the best hard sci-fi books I've read in a long time.

very good listening

very different scifi book with w
vampire in space. that stood out the most to me.

I really want to love this book

The concept is intriguing. The story line is awesome, plus it’s about Dracula. The problem in my opinion, why it just doesn’t work as an audio book is the narrator. He’s so hard to listen to. This book deserves a really good narrator or I’ll just have to do it myself and send it in because I couldn’t keep my ears on it. Lackluster performance begging for more

Like code itself

I should mention I own a paper copy, please ignore my time spent.

Wasn’t sure on the narration but 5 minutes in and he’s awesome

The author T Ryder Smith has a great style, but you need to be aware of what you’re looking for, eyes wide open if you will.

Picture a classic matrix the movie screen digital code descending

I imagine the writing telling this story has a type of code running off it. Very rarely will the author just come right out and tell you the big picture.

Instead, this book takes you a ride and the world builds itself for you on the way, if you’re paying attention, if you’re looking to make those connections for yourself.

love the style, the author has a firm grasp on the world he is building, absolutely enjoying the audio version!

Not for those unwilling to put some work in to see the work being left behind by the words so craftily used by our architect

Riveting first contact story with a dash of horror

The science in this Sci Fi is excellent.

Plot is riveting once it picks up momentum. With the only draw back of flashback structure that left me aching to get back to the presence.

Fascinating characters. Especially the captain.

There are interesting passages that switch to second person viewpoint. I found them refreshing.

Excellent story, poor narrator

Thought provoking story that explores ideas about consciousness and intelligence. Engaging characters.

But terrible narrator - mispronounces several words, makes the vampire character sound corny.