Cyteen

Cyteen, Books 1-3

By: C. J. Cherryh

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman, Jonathan Davis

Length: 36 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

The saga of two young friends trapped in an endless nightmare of suspicion and surveillance, of cyber-programmed servants and a ruling class with century-long lives - and the enigmatic woman who dominates them all. Narrators Jonathan Davis and Gabra Zackman skillfully split up this sweeping sci-fi epic that is "at once a psychological novel, a murder mystery, and an examination of power on a grand scale." (Locus)

©1988 C.J. Cherryh (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1989

“Strongly recommended…. A future as detailed as that of Herbert’s Dune, with dozens of complex characters…. all the paranoid tension of a spy thriller.” (Newsday)

“A massive, multifaceted novel that tackles a variety of ethical, social, and political issues…. Cherryh’s worldbuilding is ambitious and her main characterizations are well-individualized…. Ultimately fascinating in concept and detail. Decidedly a major work.” (Booklist)

Growing up clone girl

Even in a futuristic sci-fi world, the life of a preteen girl is boring. Even when she's a clone of a pedophile genius. I get that this is a multiple award winner, but I'm not a judge. A more accurate description of this book is the life of a rich spoiled young girl, with sprinkles of politics and cloning ethics mixed in. Most of the book is desperately boring, for 20+ hours. I won't be rereading this book anytime soon. Might even return it.

The best!

To me, this remains the best science fiction story ever. I read it when it first came out and it’s just as gripping decades later. An amazing mix of believable futuristic science, great characters, scary politics, and an essentially alien if completely human culture. A thrilling adventure and something of a human tragedy. I was really sorry that Dennis lost it in the end but Cherryh never goes for sappy endings.

Great reading—Zackman captured the variety of voices and their emotional implications. Well done!

Bildungsroman, murder mystery, and a mediation on individuality

A complicated and interesting world, with hidden motives across years. Union from the inside, instead of just as opponent to the Merchanters Alliance.

Incredible book. We'll thought out and intriguing.

A psych major's dream. Improving, not just the psychology of a single person, but the psychology of the whole human race.

Better in Context

I read this story many years ago shortly after reading Downbelow Station and a few of the other, related novels in the Alliance Space universe. The world depicted in Cyteen made a nice contrast with the other societies created by Cherryh. But listening to it by itself, I found the story excrutiatingly slow with very little plot. If you are an Asimov fan, this book will put you to sleep. If you prefer Heinlein, you might like the introspective nature of the book. I recently purchased the sequel to this book (Regenesis), and I doubt I will give it a try. Of the related novels, I most enjoyed Merchanter's Luck.

Intriguing! Presicient! Very thought-provoking!

What made the experience of listening to Cyteen the most enjoyable?

The voice actress is superb. She imbues the main character Ariane Emory with a very distinct personality both in the 1st and 2nd Ariane. The prescience of the book is amazing considering that it was published in 1988 and seemed so much like our post 9/11 world in the way of security and terrorist threats.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The story starts out slowly and a bit confusing, but once you have the grasp of the characters and the environment, it becomes a very suspenseful and intriguing story that reminds me very much of the Dune universe.

What about Gabra Zackman and Jonathan Davis ’s performance did you like?

Gabra is an excellent voice actress. She does all the voices in a manner that makes them very distinct from one another. She effortlessly switches between the older 1st Ariane Emory into the 2nd Ariane Emory. Jonathan Davis only read the in-between archive notes in a very cold, clinical manner of which they should be read in.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When young Ariane Emory attempted to ride the horse for the first time and got bucked off of it, I really felt terrible for her. That was the first time I realized how innocent and naive she was and also how tragic of a character she is. It really helped increase my perspective of her humanity.

Any additional comments?

As I've said, this book starts out slow and I was having a hard time following it from the beginning. But if you give the book time, it's an excellent listen and certainly makes you wonder about our humanity and our future. It reminded me of Dune and also Star Wars, but only from the political machinations that are going on in the universe. It is very dialogue heavy and most of the situations are the characters conversing with one another. There is not much action as the book focuses more on the intellectual and emotional relationships that the characters have with one another.

LONG AND GOOD

VERY FAR FETCHED, SCI/FI I THINK,GOOD LISTEN ,KEEPS YOU INTRESTED, MANY TWISTS TO THE STORY ,GOOD LISTEN, YES.

Wonderful science fiction!

This is a riveting, meticulously crafted, science fiction novel. I was already a fan of Cherryh' s work before listening to Cyteen. This was quite impressive to me, especially considering when this novel was originally published. If you love science and scientific possibilities, or if you enjoy thrilling stories packed with political intrigue, then this story should appeal to you. The narration was very professional, quite pleasing to listen to, in my opinion. Foreigner series fans should feel right at home with certain elements of this story. I give the book and the narration five stars.

Perfectly wonderful.

If u could, I would buy everybody a copy. It's my favorite. Thank you to the reader.

Love this book and narrator

I've listened to this twice after reading a physical copy the first time. I keep coming back to its ideas and world. Absolutely fascinating concepts, if you like politics and psychology/sociology. Interesting ethical questions and exploration of power and manipulation. The narrator does very consistent and unique voices for every main character. Love it.