The Fountains of Paradise is a beautifully written account of one man's quest to achieve lifelong satisfaction through his works. The primary story is artfully juxtaposed with a parallel quasi-historical storyline. Perhaps Clarke's most underrated talent was his ability to get inside the minds of long-dead characters (see also: the first section of "2001").

Though technically "hard" science fiction, the primary focus of the narrative is on the characters, both future and ancient. The storytelling is deeply satisfying and, in a genre where endings are often pseudo-mystical cop-outs, this book leaves the listener content, with imagination sparked.

Marc Vietor's narration only enhances the experience. He reads thoughtfully and clearly, giving each character enough distinction to make the storytelling easy to follow.