City at World's End

By: Edmond Hamilton

Narrated by: Jim Roberts

The midwestern town of Middletown is the "first strike" of a new super bomb. However, instead of destroying the town, the attack rips a hole in the space-time continuum, sending the town and it's inhabitants to a distant Earth, cold and foreboding. The story of their struggle, survival and ultimate success in rekindling the planet and dealing with the people and aliens of the future, is the stuff of great science fiction. As you listen, see if you agree with the many who think this story was the origin of the Star Wars characters Chewbacca and Leia.

Public Domain (P)2011 Jimcin Recordings

Classic juvenile sci-fi

Good municipal survival story. Picture the love child of Alas Babylon, the Jericho TV show and the Tom Hanks movie Cast Away...how's that for mixing my entertainment metaphors?

VERY dated

The science is horrible, including basics of our solar system. Women are treated like hysterical pets to be coddled. Within those confines, it is a well written story. It feels very 1950. For the era, it seems very progressive about racism, because it’s addressed indirectly.

first audible. very happy.

this was my first audible book. I was very please with the narrator and plot of the story. I set aside time when I knew the end was coming because I didn't want to miss anything. it snatched my interest more than any action movie ever has.

Too good to be over so quick

This is an excellent short story, I'm just disappointed in how quickly I got to the end... Some of the tech concepts are out of date, but that just makes this story all the more wonderful.

Bad science but

As a kid I loved this book. But to imagine the Earth at the end of its life, oceans dry and the sun a Red Giant (but not frying the planet) in only 1,000,000 years is so far off that it really takes away from the story.

Survival story by the numbers

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

The story is straightforward, stepping through the process of a town's survival in a new environment. No surprises and little to prompt wonder or philosophical speculation.

Would you be willing to try another book from Edmond Hamilton? Why or why not?

Yes. I like authors from the classic era of SF.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He read much too fast.

Unbearable characters

What disappointed you about City at World's End?

The characters, their motivations and decisions where completely unrealistic. By chapter six I annoyed.

What character would you cut from City at World's End?

The townspeople.