Slow Time Between the Stars

The Far Reaches Collection

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: Kay Eluvian

Length: 56 mins

Publisher's summary

An artificial intelligence on a star-spanning mission explores the farthest horizons of human potential—and its own purpose—in a mind-bending short story by New York Times bestselling author John Scalzi.

Equipped with the entirety of human knowledge, a sentient ship is launched on a last-ditch journey to find a new home for civilization. Trillions of miles. Tens of thousands of years. In the space between, the AI has plenty of time to think about life, the vastness of the universe, everything it was meant to do, and—with a perspective created but not limited by humans—what it should do.

John Scalzi’s Slow Time Between the Stars is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

©2023 John Scalzi. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Very Enjoyable.

This was a great story and well worth the time. I enjoyed every bit of it.

Terrible narrator, interesting story

The narrator’s voice was very snide and smug and very nearly ruined the unique and interesting story.

Sentient Ship Is a Delight

I stumbled across Slow Time Between the Stars when it came up as a recommendation after I read a different sci-fi. I already enjoy John Scalzi's books and this was free with Prime in ebook and audio so I clicked on the audio and listened in.

A sentient ship from the moment the humans built it and even before they were finished with design and worked. Loved getting the ship's perspective of its make-up and mission, the humans and their needs, but then seeing it on its slow journey separate and independent out into the dark and far reaches of the galaxy and distant time.

I enjoyed the narrator's work and it was my first time listening to Kay Eluvian. I hope to come across more of her work.

Short, thoughtful, and engaging!

Slow indeed.

Interesting, but unusually for me and a John Scalzi book, I did not engage. Well done as usual though.

AI fiction at its finest

A bittersweet journey of exploration of space and the self. Scalzi’s short story delivers quite a punch. I really liked the character, its story, and the narrator.

Great short story

Great short story! I wish performance was more emotionless, but the story was pretty cool. What a cool perspective on AI!

Time continues to be relative.

Fantastic short story that conjures up thoughts of humanity's lasting legacy in our small part of the cosmos.

A lovely elegy

Thanks for such a slow and calm journey through the vast nothing. A balm for my spirit.

Classic Short

I bought this by accident but I am glad I did.
This story was already included in the collection "The Far Reaches" which had no other stories I really liked.
I really liked this story. I think it will become a classic short.
I could argue this is the best thing Scalzi has ever written.

Some may find the ending a downer, but I found it a marvelous ending to a great story.
When I got to the end, I verbally exclaimed in surprise and pleasure.

The narration is odd and unexpected and I found the tone fantastic for the story.
It was rational, and superior, and loving all at once.

I have already listened to this three times, and will likely come back to this again.

Interesting take on eternity by Scalzi

I was enthralled by this short story of an intelligent spacecraft sent by humanity to start a human colony on a new world, the interesting way it’s mind evolved along it’s journey.