Ship of Theseus

By: V.M. Straka

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Please note: In S., J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst conceived of a multi-layered novel-within-a-novel that involves handwritten notes in the margins and physical objects slipped between the pages. Because an audio edition is unable to recreate those innately visual pieces of the story and the intended experience of S., the text of Ship of Theseus has been recorded here. Award-winning actor Graeme Malcolm reads the work of an incendiary novelist who may never have existed at all.

What is Ship of Theseus, and who is its mysterious author V.M. Straka? Conceived by filmmaker J.J. Abrams and written by acclaimed novelist Doug Dorst, Ship of Theseus is the central novel within the experience that is S., a multi-faceted narrative of love and mystery. Ship of Theseus is at its core and is the final book written by a man shrouded in deception and violence.

It tells the mystical adventure of an equally mysterious figure, who is struggling to discover his own identity. Abducted onto the eponymous ship, the main character is swept into a story that spans oceans and ports, mountains and caves, capitals and citadels. Two things sustain him: his lifelong search for his love, Sola; and the infernal purpose of the ship and its crew. Equal parts Kafka and Lovecraft, Ship of Theseus is both a frightening adventure and a philosophical treasure hunt.

©2013 V.M. Straka (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Intriguing and fascinating

Such a very interesting book, I listened to it because of JJ Abrams and Doug Dorst’s book called “S” and it has been a really cool adventure. I loved the mystery and excitement of going through the book. As a stand alone book it was also very good.

Graeme Malcom makes a great read an awesome one!

“S” is a nearly 3D puzzle and process, not a book. The fictional author( JJ Abrams and Doug Dorst created)- V.M. Straka’s book “Ship Of Theseus” is the core text; while being most entertaining in of itself, is only but a part of a much larger picture filled with intrigue, puzzling clues (there is a plethora of detritus; all clues, between the pages of the actual hardcover text that comes with the book “S” and a dialogue between two college students the write each in the margins of a stolen library copy of “Ship of Theseus” in the University’s library! The two sharing thoughts, clues, papers, flyers, letters and a code wheel all in the purpose of solving S’s dilemma- Who is he? Who is “Maelstrom” “Sola” and the answer to the larger conspiracy of the event- “S”. I listened to this while reading the margins and clues finding it very useful in solving this intriguing and most suspenseful mystery; thriller really. If you enjoyed “House of Leaves” you probably will Love “S” with Ship of Theseus”

A roller coaster Story

So I know that there are people reading this book because they bought it as the collection of the S book. A lot of people will tell you that there are many different ways to read this book. I personally decided to read ship of Theseus alone, and then go back and read through all of the footnotes that is what puts together the second story. Though I was a little saddened that the story has a typical JJ Abrams ending, it was later tweeted out by by David Dorst that there was an original ending that I plan to read. Overall the story was very interesting, but it did leave off places that were very dry.

Uninspired and derivative

The Dark Tower, just a different cast and scenery. A premise to start without any understanding how to end it .

Infuriating story; couldn't wait to finish

What did you like best about Ship of Theseus? What did you like least?

I liked that this book was turned into an audiobook. I purchased S. and thought it might be fun to listen to Ship of Theseus as an audiobook, so I could make it easier to read the margin story. Unfortunately the book is one big infuriating story of confusion. Every time the main character asks a question, he's met with coy, condescending double-speak from every single character. No one will give him a straight answer to anything, which means you as the reader, are totally in the dark the vast majority of the book. You don't know what time period it is until half way through the book. You have no clue who the main character, or really ANY of the characters are until 3/4 of the book through, and it's just frustrating as can be. It's as if the author, and all the characters, are playing one big joke on the reader.

In short, I really disliked the book. Best of all? You NEVER find out who the main character is. You never even learn who the other characters are. They come and go so randomly, without purpose, and seemingly without future. If this had not been the platform for S. I would've returned it.

If only Doug Dorst and JJ Abrams had chosen a better book, something in the public domain, to base S. on it would have probably been a LOT better.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic's Wild Ride to the Edge and Back

Which character – as performed by Graeme Malcolm – was your favorite?

S. His character was well performed. The others were distant seconds and beyond.

Could you see Ship of Theseus being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

NO!

WTF??

If you are looking for a book that lists the ways to distract from a story and more for descriptive writing, this is for you. The book is painfully slow with little regard for a story. We're on a board, we're off a boat, and then WTF was sewing lips together?
Pure waste of time and brain cells. I searched for meaning and there was none. Good luck with your journey

What did I just read????

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If the story had any plot with continuity. I kept listening, thinking there had to be a story tying all the chapters together. Nah.

What was most disappointing about V.M. Straka’s story?

It had no cohesive story to it. It made absolutely no sense to me. I even went back and listened to the first Audible part of the download, and it still gave me a "So what?" feeling at the end. Very tiresome. I have only asked for a refund twice in over 25 years of Books-0n-Tapes. This will make the third.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No. Trying to be way too cosmic to be an enjoyable listen.