The World at the End of Time

De: Frederik Pohl

Narrado por: William Dufris

Wan-To was the oldest and must powerful intelligence in the universe, a being who played with star systems as a child plays with marbles. Matter occupied so tiny a part of his vast awareness that humans were utterly beneath his notice.

The colonists of Newmanhome first suffered the effects of Wan-To's games when their planet's stars began to shift, the climate began to cool down, and the colony was forced into a desperate struggle to survive.

Viktor Sorricaine was determined to discover what force had suddenly sent his world hurtling toward the ends of the universe. And the answer was something beyond the scope of his imagination - even if he lived for 4000 years...

©1990 Frederik Pohl (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Great Story!

Where does The World at the End of Time rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I thought the ending was a little weak, I was sad to find that the author has passed away, and didn't leave a series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The World at the End of Time?

I have read a plot line similar to this in Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds. Relativistic effects and deep time in general are such interesting topics so the conversations and narration surrounding them were fascinating.

What does William Dufris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

William Dufris doesn't get paid enough ha-ha, I listen to books just because he reads them. In fact, its why I listened to this one.

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

The different societies and how they evolved became interesting. I think most of these hardcore sci fi authors have a lot of politics and civilization extrapolation built into them. This was no exception. It paints a valid picture of a super modern dark age, and something that couldn't be so far over the horizon from us.

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for something like what Reynolds writes, this will be a delight.

 Swing and a miss

There are some really interesting ideas that have so much potential for great sci-fi, storytelling here. Unfortunately, the arc of the story that is told rat rambles somewhat aimlessly, and with far too little of the details, that would’ve really mattered in favor of inexplicable, distractions, and ends abruptly Without tying it all together. Too bad.

puts the science back into fiction

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes it was a very engaging story I wished it could have gone on for another 15 hours !!

What about William Dufris’s performance did you like?

very rich voice easy to listen to in the car great characterisations

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

no I like to have it there when I'm driving

The best SF story ever!

Frederick Pohl has produced a sweeping saga that extends to the end of the Universe -- and beyond! The narrator does a great job in setting the mood and developing the characters.

Whoa. One that leaves you thinking 🤔.

First off, this is one of Frederick Pohl's masterpieces.
One of the most valuable parts of this story is what other reviewers have stated as negatives. The main characters are deeply flawed. In fact, most of the characters are flawed in varying ways but that's what adds nuance and color to the story. A good story, such as this, leaves the reader contemplative of their motivations in their own life. Pohl uses some clever science knowledge as both literarary tools and plot devices. The background of his whole story, at varying times, turned out to be both dated and advanced, even in comparison to our present day.
It's one of the few books I have ever wanted to immediately re-read upon completion.