Traveling in Space

De: Steven Paul Leiva

Narrado por: Jeff Cannata

A unique science fiction first-contact novel told from the aliens' point-of-view; a 21st-century Gulliver's Travels with Homo sapiens as the Lilliputians. The last thing the factfinders - who call themselves Life - expected to find while traveling in space in The Curious on a mission from their planet, The Living World, was other life. But one day they stumble upon the third planet out from a backwater sun and find it teeming with a vast diversity of life, including one sentient and cognizant, if primitive, species that they dub: Otherlife. Being not only from The Curious but inherently curious themselves, they begin to study the Otherlife and their alien culture, discovering such strange things as: marriage, intoxicating drinks, weapons of minor and mass destruction, the gleeful inhaling of toxic substances, two-parent families, layered language, genocide, non-nude bathing, and - the strangest thing of all - religion. This first contact between Life and Otherlife, disconcerting for both, has moments of humor and moments of horror - and neither escape the encounter unchanged.

©2011 Steven Paul Leiva (P)2014 Steven Paul Leiva

Imaginative but poorly executed

What did you love best about Traveling in Space?

Jeff Cannata's spectacular performance

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The very ending was actually very nice but it felt like it took ages to get there.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Cannata’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I listen to a lot of Jeff Cannata's podcasts but this is a truly singular performance. One of the best I've ever heard.

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

No! I tore into the beginning or so, but the middle third dragged on and the pacing got weird and wonky.

Any additional comments?

The book does an extreme amount of telling instead of showing. Even most of the climax is presented this way, which infuriates me. The schtick of the aliens being extremely literal and almost entirely without subtext was really funny at first but grew tiresome. I think this would have functioned as a better short story than the very long novel it is. Jeff Cannata, however, makes the best of the material and it's one of the best performances I've ever heard. I really hope he does more books.

Narrator Cannata was wonderful

Where does Traveling in Space rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 5

What other book might you compare Traveling in Space to and why?

Ringworld

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

Definitely wouldn’t have enjoyed this book as much if I were to read myself. I thought Jeff Cannata did an outstanding job. Loved this book!

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

I came across this audiobook by accident. Was not disappointed. Great story, with a great narrator. He sounded delightful in my ear helping me get through my day at work. I really enjoyed his multiple voices and personalities. Great Listen. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in this type of genre. I hope the narrator gets more opportunities in the future. Well done…

A different first contact story

There has been a pletora of first contact stories trough the years, this one is special because in this case we are the other life, the book describes the perplexity of a culture based in the search of knowledge and the absolute love for life and hate for death when confronted with the reality of our inner contradictions as a culture, and the awe and horror of the good and the bad that we are capable of.
An special mention to Mr Cannata who gives a moving perfomance he gives voice and personality to all the characters i sincerily hope this is not his last performance

Fun sci fi novel

Great performance by Jeff.
Great production value and sound effects.
Good story and enjoyable to listen to repeatedly.

Great idea, too silly and comic book for my taste

This seemed to be to be an excuse for showing how irrational aspects of human society are. The alien characters are 2 dimensional and portrayed as logical intellects that are confused and dismayed by all the obvious human failings.
Some thought provoking ideas, but the big drama near the end did not produce the required suspension of disbelief.
The narrator was fabulous and totally inhabited the various characters with enthusiasm.
I could see this as a tongue in cheek movie like Mars Attacks, but it was a little too predictable for my taste.
I would have given it two stars but the narrator really put lifer into it.