Jupiter

By: Ben Bova

Narrated by: Christian Noble, David Warner

Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Grant Archer merely wanted to study astrophysics, to work quietly as an astronomer on the far side of the Moon. But the forces of the "New Morality", the coalition of censorious do-gooders who run 21st-century America, have other plans for him. To his distress, Grant is torn from his young bride and sent to a research station in orbit around Jupiter, charged with the task of spying on the scientists who work there. What they don't know is that his loyalty to science may be greater than his loyalty to "The New Morality". But that loyalty will be tested in a mission as dangerous as any ever undertaken.

©2001 Ben Bova (P)2005 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

"Solid action and wonder with credible alien life forms and inspired technology....Jupiter is a new favorite destination for sci-fi exploration, and Bova's take on the planet is unique and enticing." (Publishers Weekly)
"Noble and Warren's pace helps create a roller coaster of suspense and clear distinction amongst varying dialects....Easy-to-follow and entertaining deliveries." (AudioFile)

Great Adult Book

I really enjoyed the story and characters. However, I was disappointed by the sexual connotations and language because now my children won't get the opportunity to enjoy the story.

Great story! Bova's best!

Would you listen to Jupiter again? Why?

Yes, and I have. Though I could do without the terriable intro by Halin Ellison! I get the feeling Ben Bova is friends with Harlin, the way George Lucas is friends with Steve Spielberg; some what temparate, to say the least. And I resent the fact that the "Goyim" cant tell jokes, there are hundreds of non Jews who are very funny! Aside from that, this is a great story, and one of Bova's best.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ohara, she was spunky!

Have you listened to any of Christian Noble and David Warner ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

They are both good.

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

When the main charactor got thrown in the pool by the guards.

Any additional comments?

Loved it.

Very good

A good story. A great idea about life in Jupiter.

Great book, great narration, gastly horrible music

Narration was great, everything about this is pretty good except for the god-awful music. maybe life isn't all that rare in the universe!

Not as enjoyable as the previous books in the series

This had Less about real and future tech. Certain authority characters behaved too drastically and too childishly for my taste. Not realistic.
I really wish this book had not included all of the religious elements for the main character. Religious fanatics portrayed as ‘bad guys’ I accept, even though I dream of a future without them. A main character that continues to bring such ancient beliefs into the future is just not necessary. I came very close to quitting this book several times but kept hoping he would see the truth and abandon his primitive faith. Faith is belief with no data or proof. That is the very opposite of what science is.
Not sure that I will continue reading any more of Ben’s books.

Don't

I gave up on this more quickly than any audiobook I've ever had. Poor writing, clumsy dialogue ... just awful. I will listen to a lot of dreck for longer than I should in the hopes that an author gets his feet under him, but it was so obvious here that that was not going to happen.

Read like a children's book

Interesting premise, but the plot and dialog were so simple that if it weren't for all the sexual allusions, I would have thought that the book was written for middle school kids. The plot seemed to follow a very cookie-cutter-style flow, and the conclusion wrapped up as happy-ever-after as a Brady Bunch episode. Too sexual for kids, too uninteresting for adults.

Disappointing

This is the first time I've read (heard) a Ben Bova novel, and I'm getting a bad impression. The characters are shallow and don't act naturally; the main character is particularly clueless. It feels like a short story stretched and sweetened to novel size. I admit I stopped listening at the half-way point.

Talking Gorilla? Couldn’t get past it.

This book really had promise and maybe I gave up too soon. But halfway through the story, the talking gorilla on the space station wrecked it for me.

I don’t mind investing in the first three or four chapters for character development and this was done quite well. But finding myself halfway through the book Sitting through long dialogue between a talking gorilla with the IQ of a two-year-old child and the main protagonistand there was absolutely no hook.

Disappointing.