Permafrost

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: Natasha Soudek

Length: 4 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

A Locus Award Finalist for Best Novella

Fix the past. Save the present. Stop the future. Master of science fiction Alastair Reynolds unfolds a time-traveling climate fiction adventure in Permafrost.

2080: At a remote site on the edge of the Arctic Circle, a group of scientists, engineers, and physicians gather to gamble humanity’s future on one last-ditch experiment. Their goal: to make a tiny alteration to the past, averting a global catastrophe while at the same time leaving recorded history intact. To make the experiment work, they just need one last recruit: an ageing schoolteacher whose late mother was the foremost expert on the mathematics of paradox.

2028: A young woman goes into surgery for routine brain surgery. In the days following her operation, she begins to hear another voice in her head...an unwanted presence which seems to have a will, and a purpose, all of its own - one that will disrupt her life entirely. The only choice left to her is a simple one.

Does she resist...or become a collaborator?

©2019 Alastair Reynolds (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Wow

Most believable time travel scenario ever! Narrator was terrific. Perhaps I missed it somewhere in there, but what did the note say in the altimeter?
Really great, highly recommended.

Such an outstanding book!

This is an excellently imagined time travel story. Don't let the 4hr length dissuade you from purchasing it! I have read it twice and recall the story and characters frequently, due both to the author's characters and the narrator bringing life to them.

A superb short story

This was a great choice, even though it’s in the short side. It’s based on mind-bending paradoxes caused by crude time travel. Really gets you thinking.

BEST ONE YET. EXTRAORDINARY.

I am a huge fan of Mr. Reynold’s work and have listened to all his audiobooks. This is, hands down, the best one yet.... not only because the story is genius (as usual, with him)... but the narrator is brilliant. She nailed the characters and voices, and brought an intelligence and intimacy into the listening experience that absolutely blew me away. I didn’t know it was possible to be so moved by a science fiction narration, and I was. I also appreciated that they used a native Russian speaker/actress to narrate it, because it’s obvious when they don’t, and she was amazing. This is the best Alastair Reynolds audiobook yet!!!!

A fine time travel story; superb narration

I really enjoyed this time travel novella. It is fast paced and engaging, and highlights some of the paradoxes of time travel. A crystalline block universe that can still be altered! The narration is superb, and greatly improved the experience.

Riveting, Disturbing

The audio book was a little hard to understand at the beginning but once I got accustomed to the accent, it was exactly how it should have been. This was excellent!

Good potential poorly executed

The main idea for the book is intriguing but there are many aspects that should have been deepened.
The reader has constantly a thick Russian accent that is disturbing.

Too short, but done well.

I really hate time stories. I only got this because I really like Alastair Reynolds.

It was done well, had a fresh approach, got me invested right when it ends.

not my favorite Alastair Reynolds

I have read everything he has ever written so I feel I have literally "paid" my dues to finally write a critical review.
we certainly know he can write great novels and while he has developed a fascinating Mcguffin,
the character development and the storyline development is way below his standards. it almost feels like a writing for hire project.

Great short sci-fi from a master storyteller

A time travel story that actually seems logical and makes the science realistic. Beautifully performed. The only negative is that is it relatively short.