Eon

I first read "Eon" when it was published in 1985 - and was fascinated by the concept and ideas detailed in this long and complicated novel. Especially complicated for me since I'm not a physics or mathematics specialist. I had to take the theories as SF drama and let it go at that.

Listening to the book after such a long time was rewarding and equally fascinating. The character development is involved and up to Greg Bears usual fastidious work...plot development is intricate and convoluted at times but well done and the final chapters unexpected.

If you've read it and are looking for serious SF to listen to, give "Eon" another try. If this 3 book trilogy is new to you than "Eon" is the place to start.

Enjoy.

The physics and mathematical puzzles related the Stone.

The realization of the true nature of the Stone and the imaginative delights and puzzles of its inhabitants and the world they inhabit.

An emotional dimension.

No, it's better to linger.

Suspend your disbelief: ignore the time the story takes place, pretend the Cold War has not ended. Immerse yourself in Bear's imaginative universe, and you'll be amply rewarded.

Stefan Rudnicki. Enough said. And the fact there's a whole faction based on Ralph Nader... Naderites. LOL!

The way the author used time and space, and avoided paradox. The technology and physics were really far out, but not so far that you felt 'no way, this is just some guy writing while tripping'.

Stefan Rudnicki. Enough said.

I bought this book in hard copy when I was 15. When I saw Stefan was reading it, I had to pick it up, and was glad I did.... I usually listen to books while I work, however, you really need full attention with this one, because it's jam packed with time/space technology that if you miss the explanation of it it will hurt you in the long run.

The story is excellent but the narrator takes a long time to get used to hearing. If you can make it past the "4 Beginnings" that start the book you should be able to acclimate to the narrator. This is definitely a case of the story being more intriguing than the storyteller.

I'm cautious as to what I recommend, because recommendations in anything defines us in those with whom we associate. With that in mind, I only recommend audiobooks/book that captivate me, that are truly original in scope and idea. No middle ground. No gray area. In this case, I'd recommend this audiobook to anyone, ESPECIALLY my friends. Eon brings together alternate dimensions, aliens, Armageddon, warfare, character conflict and culture clash together brilliantly. AND it's a series??? Most excellent.

It grows almost exponentially as you read it. Once you HAVE read it, you'll know exactly whatI mean. The scope and ramifications of the story reach out further and consequences become more severe and dramatic as the story unfolds. This ALWAYS makes for a good story, and remember, it's ALL about the story. And NO, I'm NOT giving anything away.

Clear, pace-setting, restrained.

SO many moments in this read stood out, but one in particular was when Lanier is simply overwhelmed by the sheer scope, the magnitude, of the technological capabilities of the Stone's inhabitants and societies. The technology borders on seeming magical at certain points, because of the almost limitless scope of what can be done by everyday people in this society. Imagine what a Neanderthal would think of a microwave, a television, running water, or photography. WOW. How's that for a descriptive word of what you'll encounter as you read this for yourself? You'll discover what they discover, and you'll enjoy the journey.

Any review I write in this depth or greater is due to PASSION. You'll see that the books, authors, and narrators I dislike will have short to the point epitaph-style reviews. Not this audiobook. I cannot recommend it enough. This book will require you to think. Yes, that's right, I wrote THINK. It doesn't mean that you will not understand this book. It's easy to understand. What you'll have to think about are ideals. Things like politics, societal norms erased, eternity, religion, the human condition. Wait, wait, wait...It's a great, fun read, and not lofty, so rest easy. Enjoy the book. Find others who have read it, and have fun tearing ideals apart. You'll be better for it, and be glad you read this book. I know I am.

I have never really read Greg Bear but rather was on the hunt for books narrated by Stefan Rudnicki, my favorite narroator. I am glad I found this book. Very interesting story from a sci-fi and inter-personal relationship point of view.

I first read Eon as a teenager, and was quite obsessed with its extremely detailed and imaginative worlds. I was curious to see if I'd still like it today, and I was pleased to find that it was just as engaging and mind-expanding as I'd remembered.

The most thrilling parts of the novel are the opening scenes, as the characters explore the multi-chambered Stone, gradually learning its secrets, and then travel further down the infinite Corridor; there's a tremendous sense of an journey toward greater and greater discovery. The final chapter is a brilliant twist that ends the novel perfectly with a beautiful reworking of its themes.

Of course, the novel's Cold War politics and its depictions of astronaut-soldiers in the year 2000 now seem extremely dated, but fortunately this is a novel about alternate universes, so one can simply pretend that the story takes place in a different universe than ours...

The human side of things isn't quite as good; Bear's handling of the romantic subplots is rather stilted and sometimes the characters seem a little too unflappable in the face of universe-changing events. But these aren't major problems, and there is often some emotional intensity in the scenes in which characters are yearning for home, or discovering that everything they knew was wrong.

I was briefly taken aback by the narrator's ridiculously manly voice (it's like being read to by Barry White), but I got used to it rapidly and he's very good at distinguishing the characters.

epic, near-future, space-adventure

yes, fortunately it's long enough that it lasted me a few late nights ;)

if you enjoy mind-expanding scientific/philosophical speculation then stick through the first few chapters of this book and you will find yourself hooked!

Thrilling epic mindbending

The surprise inside the stone and the depiction of this surprise

He makes the characters come alive in my head. Thank you Stefan.

The stone is the answer

Top 3.

Mirsky. I enjoyed the way his character was enlightened.

No. He did a great job.

The description of Axis City. It was exciting.