The Real Story: The Gap into Conflict

The Gap Cycle, Book 1

By: Stephen R. Donaldson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Author of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, one of the most acclaimed fantasy series of all time, master storyteller Stephen R. Donaldson returns with this exciting and long-awaited new series that takes us into a stunningly imagined future to tell a timeless story of adventure and the implacable conflict of good and evil within each of us.

Angus Thermopyle was an ore pirate and a murderer; even the most disreputable asteroid pilots of Delta Sector stayed locked out of his way. Those who didn't ended up in the lockup - or dead. But when Thermopyle arrived at Mallory's Bar & Sleep with a gorgeous woman by his side, the regulars had to take notice. Her name was Morn Hyland, and she had been a police officer - until she met up with Thermopyle.

But one person in Mallorys Bar wasn't intimidated. Nick Succorso had his own reputation as a bold pirate and he had a sleek frigate fitted for deep space. Everyone knew that Thermopyle and Succorso were on a collision course. What nobody expected was how quickly it would be over - or how devastating victory would be. It was common enough example of rivalry and revenge - or so everyone thought. The REAL story was something entirely different.

In The Real Story, Stephen R. Donaldson takes us to a remarkably detailed world of faster-than-light travel, politics, betrayal, and a shadowy presence just outside our view to tell the fiercest, most profound story he has ever written.

©1991 Stephen R. Donaldson (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

The Real Story

I'll preface my review by saying I haven't read the rest of the series yet, but I'll be purchasing book two right after I submit this review.

This is a very raw and gritty story. It's not a pretty one either. If you've read Stephen R. Donaldson before, see Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, you'll know he doesn't shy away from uncomfortable topics. Rape, physical and mental torment, and questioning the grey area sanity are all things he exposes the reader to and this "short" novel contains them all.

You won't feel comfortable listening to portions of this book but I do think you will come to the same conclusion I have. If this book's quality is indicative of the series to come I think you're going to be in for a great ride.

Scott Brick's narration as always was great, no complaints there.

A disturbing series read by a brilliant actor

This review is really about the entire series, which should be read to its conclusion to capture the author's purpose behind its creation.
The story is dark. Anyone familiar with Donaldson's work knows how intimately he weaves the threads of despair on a loom of lost hope. I would not be surprised if many people could not finish this series because it is so visceral; the story seems to reach fetid tentacles into the reader from the pages themselves. I could see this story negatively affecting people that have oppression or depression in their lives. While I have neither, it left me hollow and forlorn for several days after finishing it.
It is hard to say that I 'liked' this story. That it is well written is beyond question. Donaldson has that knack of rhyme and meter that few today can equal, but it pummels the reader like a physical assault.
The intimacy of violation is significant, not only to the characters in the story, but also to the reader. Be warned.
The tale itself is well written in regards to environmental and technical development and their impact on the milieu the characters find themselves in.
Few people could have done this story the justice the narration by Scott Brick has given it.

great novella

I read this a long time ago, didn't know about the other books, ordering them now.

Uninspiring perspective of evil with abrupt yet intense solace.

Uninspiring perspective of evil with abrupt yet intense solace. Sometimes relief requires suffering. Prolonged bitterness to sweeten the sendoff.

Darker

I read one of the most upvoted Reviews of This Book and it Disturbed me a bit. The review or stated that stories should be uplifting and happy and heroic. And that's bullshit. It's not real that's the problem with superheroes and the like, that would never happen it doesn't work that way. This is a very dark series. So if you want nothing but kittens and unicorns don't read it. But it's nothing if not real and honest and so human

Okay start to an amazing series, terrible narratio

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Would not recommend; the narration is horrible.

Would you be willing to try another one of Scott Brick’s performances?

Absolutely not. Scott Brick's narration is flat and lifeless, riddled with over-applied emotion on a sentence-by-sentence basis. He misses the tone of the piece completely, instead selecting his emotional decoration based on each sentence. Bright, happy books sound like slow, lustful romance. Dark, brutal scenes sound like slow, lustful romance. The narrator absolutely fails to relate to the story or the reader.

The real story about The Real Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Why not. If you're into science fiction, you will like this book. If you're looking for fantasy like the he has written in the past. This is different but still good.

What did you like best about this story?

It moved fast. There is nothing worse in a book than one that moves slowly, especially an audiobook.

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

Why, yes I have. As usual, Scott does a wonderful job. Scott has a way of bringing you into the story.

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

Yes there was. But I don't do spoilers.

Any additional comments?

Good listen, fast and entertaining. Not the real technical stuff of a lot of Sci Fi, but still a very good listen.

grim dark sciencefiction

nothing happy happends and i like it. it does have alot of rape in it. so be warned

My Favorite Sci-Fi Series Ever!

This book is awesome. This series is awesome. Scott Brick is awesome. It is a crime that only 625 readers have given a review. More people need to read this series.

There are series you remember(and ones you forget)

I read this series years ago, but it is one that really impressed me. The characters are truely memorable. I have read so many series that many (most) tend to blend into the background, but this is one where you only need to mention "Angus Thermopyle" and anyone who has read this will immediately remember this flawed character. So disgusting and so interesting. I am really pleased that this is available on Audible now. This series is definitely rated at least R for the rather graphic depiction of rape and sex, but that is just part of the story. This is book one of a really great adventure and a story you will remember. You remember the characters of Angus, Morn, and Nick beyond the story itself.