Century Rain

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Three hundred years from now, Earth has been rendered uninhabitable due to the technological catastrophe known as the Nanocaust. Archaeologist Verity Auger specializes in the exploration of its surviving landscape. Now, her expertise is required for a far greater purpose. Something astonishing has been discovered at the far end of a wormhole: mid-20th-century Earth, preserved like a fly in amber.

Somewhere on this alternate planet is a device capable of destroying both worlds at either end of the wormhole. And Verity must find the device, and the man who plans to activate it, before it's too late - for the past and the future of two worlds.

©2008 Alastair Reynolds (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“ Century Rain fuses time travel, hard SF, alternate history, interstellar adventure, and noir romance to create a novel of blistering powers and style.” ( SFRevu)

Very successful fusion of noir and hard SF

This is my favorite Reynolds novel so far--though I still have quite a few more to read. The plotting is very tight, including a satisfying joint resolution, toward the end, of several seemingly unrelated subplots. The characters are distinctive, and mesh nicely. As for the high concept, I don't want to risk spoilers by saying too much about it here. I found it very appealing. As a student of 20th Century history, I was particularly fascinated by the very subtly-crafted wrongness of Reynolds's 1959 Paris.

I can't decide whether the occasional references to "Casablanca" are fun or just a little too cute. I'm also not hugely enthusiastic about Mr. Lee's narration, especially the character voice for the main American character, with accent and phrasing just far enough off to be occasionally irritating. On the other hand, a supporting character with a Danish surname sounds pretty credible to my admittedly non-Danish ear. The defects are all minor, though. I'd give this one a strong recommendation.

Good Story

I have now listened to several of Alastair's books. I have enjoyed them all.
After every story, I have always looked and hoped for a sequel. There aren't any. Each book is a completely different tale in a different ("universe" basically).
I think this is a compliment to Alistair Reynolds and his imagination. He never rides the coattails of a trilogy or series. He always creates something new. These books are well thought out Science fiction.
I will buy all of his works on Audible. Give us more please.

Great SciFi

What was one of the most memorable moments of Century Rain?

The big reveal to Floyd

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

One of his best

Any additional comments?

Loved it! Another great story from Alastair Reynolds

A Woman from the Future with a Past

Sorry, but I could not stop laughing during this book. The primary plot involves a hardboiled detective living in Paris during the 1950’s who meets a woman from the future who is from Mars. Starts slow, but if the listener is able to hang on, the 2nd half is fast paced.

One of Alastair Reynolds' best

Very enjoyable mash futurism and 1959 detective story. I return to this gem on a regular basis

Spectacular book on of my top favorites!!!

Its really a great book!!! I suggest you just keep listening until you get familiar with the Store characters and details. It will come in time don't get too stressed out about it. Just keep listening and everything will come together before the end. Once you listen to one of Aristotle Reynolds books the others are much easier to grasp. This has been a big gripe for someone. The detailed explanation is spectacular. His book are very addictive once you get a grasp on the universities he is painting.

Twists and turns that keep your interest high

Loved John Lee's narration. This was my first experience with Alastair Reynolds' books.
The story moves well on several levels and there are many twists that will surprise you. I'm hooked - I'll definitely read more of this author's work.

WRONG narrator.

Good story. Alastair Reynolds can tell a good yarn, and in this one, he does really well.

John Lee as narrator, though, just drives me up the wall. He's fantastic for fantasy - I LOVED him for Perdido Street Station, but I just can't get my head around him for sci-fi. Too proper, too tweed, too academic. Not enough Asimov, not enough tech, not enough laser.

But then, I'm probably too American.

just a rating

Not much to say. Was sad that voice acting was poor because it is a good story. Will avoid John Lee in the future.

Enjoyed John Lee's narrative of Century Rain.

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

Overall good audio book, but needed more depth

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was ordinary and to some degree predictable.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

John Lee's delivery of the Century Rain and seamless charter transition was excellent as always. John lee can make listening to any Sci-fi worthwhile your time.

Was Century Rain worth the listening time?

Yes.