When Worlds Collide

By: Edwin Balmer, Philip Wylie

Narrated by: Peter Ganim

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

A runaway planet hurtles toward Earth. As it draws near, massive tidal waves, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions wrack our planet, devastating continents, drowning cities, and wiping out millions. In central North America, a team of scientists race to build a spacecraft powerful enough to escape the doomed Earth. Their greatest threat, they soon discover, comes not from the skies but from other humans.

A crackling plot and sizzling, cataclysmic vision have made When Worlds Collide one of the most popular and influential end-of-the-world novels of all time.

©1932, 1933 Edwin Balmer & Philip Wylie (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

THEY WANT OUR WOMEN

What a Concept!!
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING UP IN SCIENCE.
Scientists spot two rogue planets in the outer solar system, heading toward Earth. The planets are going to enter our orbit. One planet is earth like and the other is a massive giant. The giant will hit and destroy our moon and eight months later hit and destroy Earth. At first the general public does not believe it, but they will soon find out.

GIVE ME 5 CENTS FOR A CUP OF COFFEE.
Written in the early thirties this is very dated. It is also written in that style. The first couple of chapters are like, Hey we know something really important, but let's build up the suspense first, then we will tell you and not until then. Their are like two parts of the book. The science part I love, which is rogue planets, frozen atmospheres, apocalyptic events, etc...

The Other Part
What was annoying was the main character Tony. He is a big cry baby and super melodramatic. He whines to his girlfriend constantly. His girlfriend of three years, who gives him a kiss once a year at Christmas. He is way into her, but she don't seem to be too much in to him. At one point he is upset cause their are more men then women going to colonize another planet and he may have to share her. He is very upset about that. Later they have a battle and several men die and now there are more women then men and he may have to procreate with several women. That is alright by him.

I gave the story three stars because of the melodrama, but the concept of the story makes it worth listening to. I also want to listen to After Worlds Collide, when they explore the new planet.

Will read again

Would you consider the audio edition of When Worlds Collide to be better than the print version?

Never read the printed version so I wouldn't know which is better. Audiobook is more convenient though.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters play a part in the story to make it a great book

Which scene was your favorite?

Definatly leaving the earth it's so suspenseful to see if they make it and how they do it

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh a few times but not cry

Any additional comments?

Will read this again, I know it's a older book but the story still strikes a good read and a revisit

Much better than the movie

I must say that this particular story was well done. The language is of a much higher caliber than anything written in the last twenty years. It is, however, a chuckler as real science has surpassed this work of fiction. Some of their theories have since been disproven but this shouldn't be a reason not to read this classic.

If you like Old scifi, dont pass this one up.

What did you love best about When Worlds Collide?

Its a great story. Ive always loved apocalypse book and this one didnt disappoint.

Who was your favorite character and why?

They were all well written.

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

Not really, but Im not moved easily. I was locked in for the whole story though.

Any additional comments?

Its a great apocalypse book. Great scifi book. It rates up there with Lucifer's Hammer for me.

Dated but Enjoyable

I found this an enjoyable listen over all, however the writing style is quaint, highly embellished and somewhat stilted to 21st century ears. In fact, I can't believe people actually spoke like that in the 30's. The narrator does an excellent job of interpreting it, reflecting the formal tone but embellishing with good characterisation. The formality of the narrator's tone took some getting used to it, but once I realised it reflected the writing style, I appreciated it far more.

The science is quite outdated - pre-space travel and pre-nuclear trying to imagine both. It must have been thrilling when it was written and while even to layman's ears is obviously wrong, it doesn't detract from the story and the search for a suitable casement for the nuclear reactor adds to the tension. A novel set in the 21st century would be very different, but probably wouldn't have the same drama as technology would be at hand to overcome many of the obstacles. The 1930's, however, provides a far more challenging and thus interesting setting.

I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Holds up so well after four score years

I have to admit I was not aware this was written in 1932/33 when I started reading. It was only a couple hours in that some clues prompted me to find out. My point being that the work holds up very well after all this time. That it was penned before even the first dalliances of mans ascent to the heavens lends more admiration.

I hope that one day this book is made into a modern big blockbuster Hollywood spectacular. One that would far outshine 2012 and it's razor thin premise. The events portrayed in When Worlds Collide are as utterly plausible and real today, as they were in 1932.

The narration was excellent. I always enjoy Peter Ganim's performances.

When Worlds Collide

If you could sum up When Worlds Collide in three words, what would they be?

1.When 2.Worlds 3.Collide

What was one of the most memorable moments of When Worlds Collide?

When the French spaceship [SPOILER]!

What three words best describe Peter Ganim’s voice?

Dramatically Overly Dramatic

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have any extreme reactions to it.

Any additional comments?

This almost eighty-five year old book is somewhat of a struggle at first because it reads like a script for an old radio program or one of those pre-television newsreels. So yes, it is dated, but once the excitement kicks in, this is a real apocalyptic joyride strong enough to remain a classic to this day.

I would LOVE to see more Philip Wylie on Audible! I would love an audiobook of Generation of Vipers or his many other essays.

Signs of the Times

A book written in the thirties, it postulates rocket travel to another planet after the earth is doomed. I have to admit, I couldn't put it down...even though one of the characters, a New York socialite, brings along his "jap" manservant. On to "After Worlds Collide."

great early sci-fi book

Where does When Worlds Collide rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

unique based on its age

Any additional comments?

this book was written in the hey-day of sci-fi pulp with authors like ee doc smith.
so considering it age the science is dated, the dialog is dated but it was one of the first sci-fi books i read. so from that stand point this book is 10 stars.

Classic 1930's SciFi Story

This story is a classic 1930 style story where romance and science fiction are still fresh. Tony and Eve, Really??? I waited for something but chivalry keep Tony in line, How Quaint.
Other than those two the story was pure Buck Rogers and Captain Marvel. I enjoyed some of the story a double speed, specially the mushy stuff.