Refugee

By: Piers Anthony

Narrated by: Basil Sands

Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Caligula of the Stars

Though he was later accused of every crime and sexual perversion in the galaxy, Hope Hubris began as an innocent. Because he defended his older sister against the violent lusts of a wealthy scion, Hope and his peasant family were forced to flee Callisto, one of the moons of Jupiter. Pursued by the bloodthirsty scions across the airless desert, they barely escaped with their lives. The illegal space bubble was overcrowded with refugees, all hoping to reach Jupiter for asylum.

But the space travelers had not reckoned on the terrible threat of high space - the pirates, barbaric men who rape, rob, and murder, with no thought but to satisfy their bestial appetites. It will take all Hope’s ingenuity to survive, but the atrocities he witnesses will never die. There is only one way he can be rid of them.... Revenge.

©1983 Piers Anthony, This edition published in 2014 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc. (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Okay, I guess.

It's not Piers Anthony's best, as the language is somewhat stilted, and the reader's presentation is monotonous, but this listening (I read the book about twenty years ago) has given me newfound appreciation for the hazards of being a refugee. Obviously it's not all based on fact, but I can see some definite similarities between the perils of the refugees in the story and the true refugee stories we are hearing in the news.

A Greek Tragedy and coming of age kind of book

This is always been one of my favorite books.
I've always found it inspirational for some reason.

Great Story

The story is great and well written but the narrator is weak. Still worth listening to.

The whole damn thing

Be aware, adult content that is heavy and provocative. Still an excellent listen and would definitely recommend to many.

I fell in love with reading

Do not read this book at the age of 13 as I did back when it first came out on paperback. I had no idea what I was in for. As it turns out it shattered the innocence of my young mormon raised mind.

But, it was also the first time I cried from reading a book, and more importantly it cemented my love of reading forever. Until this book came along I'd voluntarily read maybe 1 or 2 short books. After this I couldn't stop reading, but I've never quite had the soul altering experience I got from this book. But I suppose innocence can only be lost once, which as it turns out is the theme of the book.

I've been waiting for this series to finally come out in audiobook form and I was thrilled to see it here. It's been a pleasure to hear these words in my head again after 34 years, oh the nostalgia. Is it the very best book I've read, no. The performance and story are probably closer to a 4, but that's okay. I couldn't possibly rate such an important book in my personal journey to manhood and a love of reading anything less than a 5.

Buckle up this is gonna be brutal

This read is absolutely gut wrenching and brutal, as is most the series, however this one will stay with you as it usually concerns children. Don't look for happy endings, don't hope for hope (pun semi intended), and do not stop once you start. The author and narrator work to perfection to create feelings for the characters. You will not be able to but this down.

back to 1986

I read this in 1986 when I was a senior in high school and never got a chance to read the other. I have enjoyed listening to this again and it brought back memories Piers Anthony you're awesome.

A Gut Twister!

This story is the very definition of a rollercoaster. So buckle your seatbelt and hang on because it is worth the ride!

Awesome books

Listening is never as good as reading for yourself, but in today's busy world it is the next best thing. I fell in love with these books in early high school. I am very excited to find them and enjoy the story of Hope H, the tyrant of Jupiter. I was surprised to find that I still went on an emotional rollercoaster. I recommend this book to anyone 14 and older. Some parts are a little graphic and horrifying, but so is life. Enjoy!

If the narrator were singing a song...

It would be Hotel California. literally repeats the same notes every sentence. Absolutely no inflection. You'd be better off feeding the book into a text to speech.