The Real Story: The Gap into Conflict: The Gap Cycle, Book 1

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.

the unabridged version is as good as, or better than the print version.

The conflict of Angus and Nick at the space station canteena, the secret message and instruction to Morn.

Yes, and I feel this is one of his signature performanes. I look forward to more programs read by Scott Brick.

The Gritty Reality of Humans in Space

I read the book back in the early nineties and had hoped there would be more stories to follow. This is an adult adventure that Disney cannot touch, I hope they don't touch. The only way to have this story made into any visual narration, would be to have the Japanese anime masters develope a series. (See Ghost in the Shell or Akira) Then again they wouldn't do it justice either. I look forward to listening again, but not too many times, I don't want to get burnt out on this story as i did with Bladerunner and Star Wars: A New Hope. I look forward to the next four stories. The Gap series still needs to have the fifth book, with Scott Brick, for me to add to my growing library. If I can discover another space adventure, it will have to stand up to my comparison of the Gap series, as my standard of comparison.

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.

I am not a fan of narrator Scott Brick, he is melodramatic. Donaldson is perhaps over-enamored with his connection to Wagner, but the character development is satisfying as far as it goes. This series should perhaps be collapsed into three books instead of 5. This feels like a novella.

Not for the faint of heart. Stephen R. Donaldson takes you to some very dark places and uncomfortable situations. I love a book that stimulates some kind of emotion. In this case revulsion at what is done to the main character. But overall I'm three books in and I have no idea where this series is taking me.

Same excellent quality that you would expect from Scott Brick.

Yes, being only six hours I finished this book in one day.

I can't believe I missed this five part series. But, to be honest, its likely because I didn't want to pay the price for a six hour Book-1. Maybe I've learned a lesson about quality versus quantity (or maybe the price for the 1st book should have been discounted more).

I would compare this story to the Dune series. Maybe this because Scott Brick also narrated the Dune series; but, the writing style is also similar.

I already know I'll listen to the whole series.

Dark story, narrator

Angus "Thermo-pile"

Yes

Scott Brick is by far my favorite narrator. He is almost too good for this book. The guy just plain rocks!

I've actually read the whole series, years ago. It is EXCELLENT. Wanted to listen again. And you may think my rating is unfair, but trying to get audible's attention.. the recording is painful.. perhaps I am too sensitive to high-pitch hiss, but they "s"'s in every word, every sentence "sizzle" at both high frequency and volume. This is an audio recording or transfer problem that is know in the industry, although I forget the term. If you listen in high noise environments like me (for example my car) you have to play fairly loud to hear the softer words.. at a reasonable volume, this makes every "s" uttered in almost every word hiss and almost hurt... listen to the sample.. play a bit loud if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to (especially with earphones)....

I'm hoping audible could do some post processing and fix this?!?! I'd really like to listen, but don't think I will.. will probably ask for my money back. Also, the next book in the series is similar :(

Audible..Please fix this recording!

I loved the Thomas Covenant and the Mirror series. This one was written from the first person perspective. I really dislike that type of writing, but it was Donaldson and decided to stick to it, hoping that I would come to like it. Two and a half hours into the story and the main character starts talking about how he raped the woman he took captive. Raped and brutalized her to the point where (paraphrasing) "it took three days before she could start learning how to help him" - I had to quit at that point. I'm going to request my credit back because I simply will not support anyone who thinks that rape is an appropriate part of any non-fiction story. Donaldson did it in the first book of the Covenant series and I found it difficult then. To think that he does it in an even more brutal way and then portrays the woman as 'helping' later puts a spin on rape that is irresponsible at best and criminal at worst.

An excellent and traditionally dark Donaldson story.

The layer-upon-layer of story. The peeling away of those layers...

Scott Brick is possibly the single worst narrator ever. He routinely gets the overall tone for a book wrong, and he has an incredibly odd and annoying rhythm and inflection. He overdoes "sympathy" horribly. Maybe a tollerable reader for some kind of happy/sappy romance, but godawful for all the SciFi and Fantasy he is ruining.

Anyone except Scott Brick.Would be a great series if done "darkly" like Battlestar Galactica (the new one).

Please get the publishing houses to stop using Scott Brick. Please request that they have all works read by Scott Brick re-read by someone competent. Please provide those new performances free to those of us here who have the misfortune of finding some many of their favorite works destroyed by him...