To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Riverworld Saga, Book 1

By: Philip José Farmer

Narrated by: Paul Hecht

Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

All those who ever lived on Earth have found themselves resurrected—healthy, young, and naked as newborns—on the grassy banks of a mighty river, in a world unknown. Miraculously provided with food, but with no clues to the meaning of their strange new afterlife, billions of people from every period of Earth's history—and prehistory—must start again.

Sir Richard Francis Burton would be the first to glimpse the incredible way-station, a link between worlds. This forbidden sight would spur the renowned 19th century explorer to uncover the truth.

Along with a remarkable group of compatriots, including Alice Liddell Hargreaves (the Victorian girl who was the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland), an English-speaking Neanderthal, a WWII Holocaust survivor, and a wise extraterrestrial, Burton sets sail on the magnificent river. His mission: to confront humankind's mysterious benefactors, and learn the true purpose—innocent or evil—of the Riverworld....

Winner of the Hugo Award

©1971 Philip José Farmer (P)2000 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1972

"One of the most imaginative worlds in science fiction." (Booklist)

Mildly Entertaining.

If I had borrowed this book I would not have finished it. I paid for it, so I saw it through to the end. It was long winded, over detailed, and lacking in good character building. If condensed, I think it would make a good short story, given more work be applied to building the characters.

Good Classic Sci-Fi

Any additional comments?

This was a interesting Sci-Fi story. It's a classic and ends in a very open way, however I'm not sure if I want to know the answer to the question posed at the end as to me it was more philosophical and rhetorical, however the journey to that point was well written.

The drugs and free love ideas of the book do date it a bit, but they are not too pronounced, so I can live with them.

A fascinating sci fi after life

So what if there is a benevolent afterlife, how could you tell it was good?

Netflix?!?

Great sifi-adventure story. Would love to see a “true to story” adaptation of this book.

Don't judge this story on the TV movies.

If you could sum up To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Riverworld Saga, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

Timeless SCI-FI Classic.
I'd always heard the Riverworld books were fantastic. Before investing the time in the books I watched the Riverworld movie on Sci-Fy. It really turned me away from reading the books for many many years. Recently I broke down and listened to the book instead. WOW. Fantastic story and characters. I can't believe anyone could read the books, be a fan, and come up with a movie adaptation like the ones that have been made. Total garbage and criminal to original material. The Riverworld idea really is cool. It neither challenges or supports religious beliefs but instead presents a really interesting approach to explaining the human condition and dealing with afterlife. Like much of the literature from the 60's and 70's it tries to blend in contemporary social issues, but Riverworld does it in a timeless manner. The story is a great, short listen and gives you a great intro to the extensive material for a low investment in time. It's unpredictable, suspenseful, and paints great characters out of historical personalities in a unique way I haven't seen done in many other SCI FI books (but honestly I'm not the most well read/listened in sci-fi-fi fiction).

Who was your favorite character and why?

Burton is a great Protagonist. Obvious choice but it's probably why so much SteamPunk culture steals from Farmer's portrayal of Burton.

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

Yeah he does a great job. Lots of foreign accents that aren't obvious and seamlessly convincing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes. I got it to cover a 4 hour car trip, and when I arrived I listened straight through in the hotel room.

Any additional comments?

try this audio book. It's worth it.

What a beginning

I am one who enjoys books such as this. Its sci-fi with meaning. Underlying messages everywhere and protagonist driven.

After death where do we go? its something humans want to and have striven to know for quite a time, and this tale is quite the rendition of what might happen after. Hunger is no longer a problem, Death...is not really death. Its "travel"

Shadowy figures, confrontation, and human tendencies revealed along with so much more when you delve into this series.

Dated

I remember this as the first in a series I read a long time ago and loved. However on rehearing it now it seems written a bit.....old?

Stunning Classic story

I was pleased to make the acquaintance of this series. The audiobook made both the drama and the visual setting come to life.

1971 Still Works in 2020!

Pretty unique, especially when you're talking decades before internet. There are some cringe worthy "70's moments"... but a great book that *should* hold up for decades to come.

*a quick note on the series* the 2nd & 3rd books are really about character development; despite the title. I felt like the overall story was stuck at the end of this book. Not bad, but another case of Sequels not living up to their forbearer.

Take Me To The River

Narrator was good
Story is great
When story is great(for me)
little misfires can be overlooked
and there was very few, if any
Overall I really enjoyed the story
Now I'll have to buy a physical copy
Good Luck!