Eifelheim

By: Michael Flynn

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

Length: 17 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1349, one small town in Germany disappeared and was never resettled. Tom, a contemporary historian, and his theoretical-physicist girlfriend, Sharon, become interested. By all logic, the town should have survived, but it didn't. Why? What was special about Eifelheim that it utterly disappeared more than 600 years ago?

In 1348, as the Black Death is gathering strength across Europe, Father Deitrich is the priest of the village that will come to be known as Eifelheim. A man educated in science and philosophy, he is astonished to become the first contact between humanity and an alien race from a distant star when their interstellar ship crashes in the nearby forest.

Tom, Sharon, and Father Deitrich have a strange and intertwined destiny of tragedy and triumph in this brilliant novel by the winner of the Robert A. Heinlein Award.

©2006 Michael Flynn (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award nominee, Best Novel, 2007

"Another meticulously researched, intense, mesmerizing novel...for readers seeking thoughtful science fiction of the highest order." (Kirkus Reviews)
"Flynn masterfully achieves an intricate panorama of medieval life, full of fascinatingly realized human and Krenken characters whose fates interconnect with poignant irony." (Publishers Weekly)
"Compellingly weaves past and present together in a dialog of faith and science....Highly recommended." (Library Journal)

Thoroughly enjoyed this book

The insight into medieval thinking was fascinating, particularly the rigorous logic of the scholar trying to fit something totally outside of his experience into his understanding of the universe. My favorite line: "Sharon didn't know she was a heretic until she smelled the smoke." That line occurs in the 21st century part of the book, not the 14th century part. The commentary on modern academia is another reason why I liked the book.

What a marvelous read this is!

Mr Flynn must be both well read and an arduous researcher. Not only has he masterfully inter-weaved the "alien" theme into the historical background of European 14th century life, but he has done so with sensitive balance between the two seemingly different universes. The whole tale is further bound together by the periodic return to modern day research by modern scholars, whose discoveries serve as skeleton for the intrigues of the past.
The writers acuity and detailed knowledge about Medieval, life - music, religious, social, historical should receive high accolades, while his philosophical, and humorous gems sparkle throughout.
Even Mr Flynn's aliens are different as they don't resemble of the stock-type aliens we have been presented with in the past and this, in some manner, helps to maintain a focus on the human interaction and drama, instead of making it a typical sterile science fiction sequence of events.
The performer should also be complimented by his most artistic and insightful rendition of this work. Perhaps the book would have less impact if performed by a lesser artist?
I tried to find another book by this author, but the other book seems to be less favored, so we shall wait.

One of the most splendid books I've ever read

If you want to book that brilliant in presentation, is honest to science, religion and politics both medieval and current, all while telling an excellent tail, this is your book.

Great science fiction

Really enjoyed this one. I started reading SF & Fantasy when I was eight, (mummble) years ago. It's getting hard to find a book that doesn't have magic, swords, or dragons, but - star traveling grasshoppers? Okay, I'll bite. I loved it and will look for more from this author.
(And yes, I've tried the magic, swords, and dragons, etc. and they just aren't what I need, except for a few like LeGuin.)

Interestng Story

At first the story seems slow but it takes time to know the characters and learn the culture and environment of the story. The mixture of the stories of scientific discovery and history made, for me, an addictive combination. The story is a bit dark though and I would hope a sequel would offer a more hopeful outcome. This story demands a sequel.

great book.

super good science fiction with a pretty great narrator. nice and philosophical like science fiction should be.

generally good

would have loved some more details, and dietrik seems a bit too naive or unwilling to learn at times, and the aliens a bit too narrow in their knowledge of other fields than their own; that is, for earth astronauts at least, but they don't seem rigid enough either in their power structure for that to explain why they don't know much more beyond their field, although I can make a guess at attrition, if they are sending thousand of these groups out there, then I see how this particular group could be so terrible at their job..

Excellent!

Such a unique premise! I read it years ago and enjoyed it just as much on audio

Wow just wow

Honestly, one of the best books I’ve had the pleasure of listening to and or reading. It rivals 2312 another novel of recommend. It was well thought out. As a well learned person. I find things often with logical plot holes that violate either historical, philosophical, or mathematical facts or principles. This did none of the above. I am thoroughly impressed with this book. More so I will be getting a paper copy to include in my library. I thank the author for this thought provoking masterpiece.

PS the voice actor was also amazing and their pronunciation was of Latin was in point.

ingenious - well worth the read

I found myself drawn into the story, and eventually deeply moved... very well researched and richly drawn characters. The novel succeeds both as a simple "what if" first contact in the middle ages, but also in making us care about the characters, and in a shared celebration of scientific and human discovery.

The narration worked fine for me. Really well done novel, transcending the genre.