Limitless

A Novel

By: Alan Glynn

Narrated by: Fred Berman

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a major motion picture starring Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro, and Abbie Cornish.

Alan Glynn's Limitless is a high-concept thriller for this Adderall age, and a haunting meditation on the allure and the curse of human potential.

A burnout at thirty-five, months behind on his book, low on cash, and something of a loser, Eddie Spinola could use a shot in the arm. One day he randomly runs into Vernon, his ex-wife's brother, and his ex-dealer. Now employed by a shadowy pharmaceutical company, Vernon has something that might help: a new designer drug that stimulates brain function. One pill and Eddie is hooked. His book is finished within days; he learns and synthesizes information at a frightening rate; and he can go a long time without sleep or food. Naturally, he begins to play the stock market. But when Vernon turns up dead, Eddie makes off with the only stash of the drug in existence. Then come the side effects: black-outs, blinding headaches, and violent outbursts he can't seem to remember.

©2001 Alan Glynn (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Alan Glynn has created enough twists and thrills to keep readers up late--even without resorting to illegal and dangerous substances.” —The New York Times Book Review

“A compulsive chemical thriller.” —San Francisco Chronicle

Love this idea, the book's not the movie

I love the idea behind this book and the movie.

the book is much more raw than the movie. The plots pretty much follow the same flow. I didn't like the character as much here as in the movie even though he is more real here. He's a lot slimier in the book. His direction and world view are limited.

Glynn has his character doing 1/2 a pill and acting like a moron. Thats what bugged me most. I didn't enjoy reading about a guy that was supposed to have an IQ of 800 and then look at his actions as though he were a low brow.

Not as good as the movie

Most of the time the movie does not do justice to the book, but in this case the movie was much better than the book (especially the ending). But the premise of the book was intriguing: who wouldn't want to live up to their full potential as a human being using dormant brain neurons. Overall, I liked the book, but the movie was much better.

If you’ve seen the movie, book will dissappoint

Loved the movie - very, very close to the book. And while I generally prefer the original book over a movie adaptation, in this case the movie was much better. Book has abrupt ending - movie ending closes out the story much better

wow great book

This book is not the same as the movie it is vastly different in some ways it is not as good as the movie however overall it is better than the movie and the end has a twist that will leave you with your jaw dropped wide open

The movie was better

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed the premise as it's easy to put yourself in the position of the antagonist and imagine what you would do if your intellect suddenly increased by an order of magnitude.

Any additional comments?

What frustrated me most about this novel was the fact that this person with supposedly infinite intelligence kept making the most stupid and ridiculous decision. It kind of pulled me out of the story.

Read the book before watching the movie

Would you listen to Limitless again? Why?

With the book, movie, and tv shows. I think reading the book once will suffice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Limitless?

If I tell you, would you still read it?

Which character – as performed by Fred Berman – was your favorite?

Eddie Spinola of course.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was exciting to hear the abilities what MDT-48 allowed for the users to have.

Any additional comments?

If you watched the movie and deciding on reading the book...the endings are different so don't worry.

Held my attention action!

This is an entertaining action story. I have not watched the movie but the book is incredible. A well thought out book with many unexpected twists and turns.

Better than the movie, a real thriller

A different ending then the movie, but it was much more exciting. Read it now!!!

Good Reader Great Story

I purchased the book already watching the movie and as with most the book is way better then the movie. The ending was much more plausible. I could not wait for the ride home to listen to the whole way thru the book. The reader gets you into the story and keeps you going. I have already recommended the book to a few friends and would do the same for you reading this review.

amazing story very fun.

Great writing I felt as if I had been taking MDT my self I was enthralled in Eddie Spagonals life and the character development was excellent.i recommend this book.