Century Rain

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: John Lee

Three hundred years from now, Earth has been rendered uninhabitable due to the technological catastrophe known as the Nanocaust. Archaeologist Verity Auger specializes in the exploration of its surviving landscape. Now, her expertise is required for a far greater purpose. Something astonishing has been discovered at the far end of a wormhole: mid-20th-century Earth, preserved like a fly in amber.

Somewhere on this alternate planet is a device capable of destroying both worlds at either end of the wormhole. And Verity must find the device, and the man who plans to activate it, before it's too late - for the past and the future of two worlds.

©2008 Alastair Reynolds (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“ Century Rain fuses time travel, hard SF, alternate history, interstellar adventure, and noir romance to create a novel of blistering powers and style.” ( SFRevu)

1920's gumshoe meets 23rd century spaceships

What did you love best about Century Rain?

the Narrator. John Lee has a wonderful voice, I could (and have) Listen to him all day.

What other book might you compare Century Rain to and why?

I see it as a cross between Casablanca and Starwars.

Which scene was your favorite?

Landing the spaceships on the Eiffel Tower and it's eventual collapse

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

yes, but I cannot sit that long. it took a couple of days, but I enjoyed it

Any additional comments?

Alastair Reynolds is a wonderful writer. not all of his works take place in the same universe, but the are all quite imaginative

Frackin Awesome

What made the experience of listening to Century Rain the most enjoyable?

Listening to the story over and over and sharing it with my son, who listened to it over and over etc. A great story.

Which scene was your favorite?

So many to choose from. Perhaps the final scene of Floyd dropping the universal restorative. Interesting though self centered move.

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

Yes but I kept falling asleep and having to go back and start over!

Any additional comments?

Readers voice was great.

Doesn't need a sequel but I would lap it up

Americans in Paris detective story wrapped up in intricate, post apocalyptic, giant object sci-fi featuring non Asimov compliant snake robots. Seems too much? Not for Reynolds gnarly imagination.

I read this when it appeared in paperback on a holiday, probably got it at the airport. I remember it was seriously good.

Lee is excellent as always for this sort of smart, dense fiction. A pleasure to hear his compassion for characters and situations.

went in with no expectations

now a days the writing is pretty crappy when ever they have a woman Mc they make her a perfect Mary sue. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have a good writer that balances characters and brings them to life instead of belief breaking moves. kudos and well done. must check your other work.

Got caught up in story once it got moving

If you could sum up Century Rain in three words, what would they be?

Grows on you, When you start to listen it has many threads that you wonder how it all fits but soon you start to understand what is happening and get captivated with the story line. If you like a single audio book without having to listen to a series then this is for you

Which scene was your favorite?

When the investigator realized that his earth was not alone it set the stage for fast action and rapid understanding of what needed to be done

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

The last 20 minutes is great but cannot say more

Any additional comments?

Great listen, would highly recommend to anyone who likes to become part of what they are listening to.