Blasphemy

By: Douglas Preston

Narrated by: Scott Sowers

Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

In Douglas Preston's Blasphemy, the world's biggest supercollider, locked in an Arizona mountain, was built to reveal the secrets of the very moment of creation: the Big Bang itself.

The Torus is the most expensive machine ever created by humankind, run by the world's most powerful supercomputer. It is the brainchild of Nobel Laureate William North Hazelius. Will the Torus divulge the mysteries of the creation of the universe? Or will it, as some predict, suck the earth into a mini black hole? Or is the Torus a Satanic attempt, as a powerful televangelist decries, to challenge God Almighty on the very throne of Heaven?

Twelve scientists under the leadership of Hazelius are sent to the remote mountain to turn it on, and what they discover must be hidden from the world at all costs. Wyman Ford, ex-monk and CIA operative, is tapped to wrest their secret, a secret that will either destroy the world…or save it.

The countdown begins…

©2007 Splendide Mendax, Inc. (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Listeners are in exceedingly capable hands - Sowers never lets us down. He weaves together the complex subplots of what happens when science and religion collide.” —AudioFile

“When a talented reader narrates a spellbinding story by a consistently powerful author, great things happen in the audio world. Scott Sowers nails the suspense of Preston's latest novel; listeners will be grabbed from the very first line of this 'ripped from the headlines' story of science and religion clashing, with tragic results...Preston never fails to deliver a first-rate thriller, and with Sowers providing the outstanding narrative, listeners are in for a non-stop - and thought-provoking audio experience.” —Library Journal, starred review

a jumbled mess

This is my first and last book by this author. Preston's narrative is predictable, to say the least. His characters are not interesting and it's hard to care. I find myself wanting to fast forward.

Blasphemy

This unfortunately is another book bashing religion. The author is convinced that science is the only true religion. Consequently, his characters are stereotypical and simplistic. If it wasn't for the unique twist at the end of the book the plot would be laughable. There is an interesting interview with the author at the end of the book. It shows the author is convinced that "science" has demonstrated the origin of man and the fallacy of religion.
I wish I had been warned that this was such a predictable anti-God book.

Offensive and annoying

There are so many ways in which this book and the reading bothered me. I figured out the "whodunnit" way too early. I kept hoping I would be wrong and that there would be another twist, to no avail. The characters were one-dimensional and cliched, which could be offensive in some instances. It seemed at times that the reader had trouble keeping track of all the different voices and accents he was using and occasionally used the wrong one, which was jarring. And a couple of his voices were downright grating to listen to. All in all, I wish I'd stayed away from this one.

Tried it - didn't like it!

The author makes silly assumptions about Christians. He sees a conflict between science and Christianity that many Christians don't. He really should get out more and do a little more research. The interview at the end of the book shows that he isn't a very deep thinker. Shut up and write - it's fiction dude. Stop trying to make a social statement.

Please wake me when it is done!

This is the first review I have left since joining Audible. I have listened to at least one hundred titles and this book by far was the worst. I enjoyed the other books this author co- wrote so I assumed this book would be just as good.I was wrong! The narrator made the characters sound like they were from Bill and Teds excellent adventure "DUDE". This made it very hard to believe the characters were the smartest people in the world. The book dragged on and on. I would not recommend this book if you are looking for any drama or excitment.

Once again I wasted money

Would you try another book from Douglas Preston and/or Scott Sowers?

The story starts very promising and plunges into cliché characters and story lines just after the first chapter.

There is no character development that will make a serious reader appreciate any of the characters. Most of the character descriptions are borrowed and superficial, as if to guarantee that the villains and the heroes fit the familiar and politically correct mold of our today’s society. Of course there is one innovation that for me at least was cringe worthy. The most advanced super computer speaks like a rap singer. Really Mr. Preston, what was your point?

I think for me at least this is the last time I will pay for content with a well-established author’s name on it. What a waste of money.

Good Idea - Poor Execution

I liked the premise of the book but found the execution lacking.

Claptrap

I have read all or nearly all of Douglas’ work as well as his work with Lincoln Child. I have enjoyed every book except for this one. After re-reading Tyrannosaur Canyon I wanted more Wynn’s Ford. Somehow, I had never read Blasphemy.
I loathed all the rubbish spouted by the two-faced, duplicitous preachers! What a waste of time. At the end a good horse dies and Pastor Eddie was not publicly humiliated or put to death for his crimes. Wyman was not very heroic in this book.
It was an ugly book with horrible people letting themselves be inflamed by a ridiculous louse of a man and perpetrating murders in the name of Christ. Yes it was blasphemous and I’m not even religious. Hideous and ugly.

It is a blasphemy

I have read other books by Preston and enjoyed them. The book reviews were very positive, so I looked forward to this book. I has extremely disappointed. The first thing one notices is the stereotypic one-dimensional characters. From mad scientists to an all-knowing unresponsive shaman, to the greedy unethical politicians and star-crossed lovers, this is one fiction cliche after another. The reading of the story seems to exacerbate the pain of the poorly written, boiler-plate story. I tried to make it to the end. I made it about 2/3 of the way, but the pain was just too intense.

Disappointing

I usually enjoy books by Douglas Preston, but did not like this one at all. The story seemed very contrived and I wasn't convinced by any of the characters. On top of that, the narrator was down right annoying. His nasal voice was distracting throughout the reading. I hope Mr. Preston does better next time.