• The Martian Child

  • By: David Gerrold
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (275 ratings)

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The Martian Child  By  cover art

The Martian Child

By: David Gerrold
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's summary

Gerrold, a science-fiction writer from California, adopts a son who has a slight behavioral problem. He believes himself to be a Martian. Gerrold begins the long, involving work of trying to earn the acceptance of Dennis, a hyperactive eight-year-old who desperately wants a father's love, but is so insecure he feels he must be an alien. Gerrold's semi-autobiographical memoir of the first two years with Dennis is a funny, endearing, heartbreaking, and beautifully written testament to fatherhood.
©2006 David Gerrold (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

Critic reviews

  • Hugo Award, Best Novelette, 1995
  • Nebula Award, Best Novelette, 1994

"The heart-searing moments are many but never overwritten, thanks to Gerrold's bright, efficient exposition." (Booklist)

What listeners say about The Martian Child

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Performance
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

MARTIANS' CAN TASTE COLORS

THE ONLY THING THAT FITS IN A PIGEON HOLE IS A PIGEON.
It is a great story, maybe a little Pollyanna for some. I am a sucker for misfit children happy ending stories. This book flew by, warmed my heart and was just plain fun to listen to.

I did not realize it when I listened, but do see now how the author glorified himself. This is to be expected when written in first person, plus it is an author. To be a writer, you have to believe you have something so important to say that people will pay money to hear you say it. I also thought that for most of the book things went a little too smoothly. I know several parents who have adopted and there are always problems, especially with special needs children or trouble children. I was also not crazy about the direction the story went when the parent started questioning the Martian child part of the story. It is still a really good book, and I will be checking out Gerrold's Science Fiction Books now.

Brick did an excellent job.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Lackluster

I was disappointed by this audio book. I've never heard such a boring reading. It was delivered in a monotone. The book itself needed more editorial pruning. It had many long segments of self-glorification by the author. It stated that it was a novel, but based on a true story. It shuld have simply been written as a memoir. it would have been easier to take. The subject of adoption of a school-age child is one that could be of interest to many, but not the way this one was told.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good yet far from great

This is a nice modern fiction novelette which was clearly written by a science fiction author with very good narration but falls far short of greatness. The narration seemed more powerful than the writing itself. There are few well developed characters and very little in the way of plot and very few surprises. This would have been a really excellent short story but in the novelette form has way too much filler. Adoption of a special needs child is a very intense challenge but this is not too surprising and this is definitely not a how-to book. This novel did not annoy me at all but it did not have that transformative effect on me I look for in great fiction. Although this has some very good points, I can’t think of anyone to whom I would feel compelled to recommend this book.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not a sci fi story

What made the experience of listening to The Martian Child the most enjoyable?

The most enjoyable was perhaps the expectation of - at some point - for the soppy super sentimental overdrawn story to actually turn to sci fi. I really did not care to listen to a super lengthy story about adoption of a difficult child and how it made the author feel.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It was not what I thought it was. I thought it was a sci fi story! How did it win the Nebula award, no more stories written that year???

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Scott Brick was fine.

Any additional comments?

This is not a sci fi story. This is a story of a single gay man adopting a child and talking about his feelings about this adoption at length. A very great length. If you want a sci fi story, skip. If you want a sentimental story about adopting a difficult child, listen.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I don't like this genre.

when I say "I don't like this genre", I mean that's I really, without question, absolutely, do not like this genre. But this book is captivating. it is well written, and it is honest. I couldn't stop listening until it was finished. This is the type of book that only a very gifted author who lived out content can write so well. I think anyone who reads (or listens) to this book will enjoy it. Bravo to the author.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

MELE KALIKIMAKA -- THE BEST XMAS GIFT EVER!

This book was just mesmerizing! I almost listened to it in one session. The Martian Child had me hook, line and sinker. This is an intimate journey into the human soul retold with such warmth, kindness and emotional honesty. It accurately depicts the creative processes of a writer step by step in beautiful detail. I have recommended the movie to everyone contemplating adoption of a special needs child or dog. But the book goes far deeper and is a much richer experience that can be relived over and over again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Martian Child

I loved this book. So beautiful. I learned somethings from this book I will use with my grandchildren as my child is grown…

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Would you consider adopting an alien?

What if they take away your alien? What if your alien makes your life hell? What if others say don’t do it? What if your alien is more than you can handle? What if your fears overwhelm. Your commitment to the struggle overcomes your fears of failure.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great storyteller - almost killed me.

I enjoyed this book. Nothing groundbreaking here but the author is open about their (mainly) post-adoption experience. The ups and downs of their experience are shared through perfectly delivered stories.

How did I almost die? We’ll I didn’t exactly but it could have been bad. I was listening in the middle of a 3rep max squat (about 275lbs) when punchline of a story brought me to tears. I almost lost the weight but I got it racked then hoped no one saw me. A man squatting with a tear running down his cheek.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

just amazing

I bounced back and forth from crying and laughing. this story was well written and the narrarator did a beautiful job as well. this book was worth the time. a must have

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