An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

A Novel

By: Hank Green

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh, Hank Green

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

The instant number-one New York Times best seller

In his much-anticipated debut novel, Hank Green - co-creator of Crash Course, Vlogbrothers, and SciShow - spins a sweeping, cinematic tale about a young woman who becomes an overnight celebrity before realizing she's part of something bigger, and stranger, than anyone could have possibly imagined.

The Carls just appeared. Coming home from work at three a.m., 23-year-old April May stumbles across a giant sculpture. Delighted by its appearance and craftsmanship - like a 10-foot-tall Transformer wearing a suit of samurai armor - April and her friend Andy make a video with it, which Andy uploads to YouTube. The next day April wakes up to a viral video and a new life. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities around the world - everywhere from Beijing to Buenos Aires - and April, as their first documentarian, finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight.

Now April has to deal with the pressure on her relationships, her identity, and her safety that this new position brings, all while being on the front lines of the quest to find out not just what the Carls are, but what they want from us.

Compulsively entertaining and powerfully relevant, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing grapples with big themes, including how the social Internet is changing fame, rhetoric, and radicalization; how our culture deals with fear and uncertainty; and how vilification and adoration spring from the same dehumanization that follows a life in the public eye.

The beginning of an exciting fiction career, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is a bold and insightful novel of now.

©2018 Hank Green (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is a thrilling journey that takes a hard look at the power of fame and our willingness to separate a person from the brand. Green manages to blend humor, mystery, and science-fiction in his fast-paced debut novel.” (Associated Press)

“A deceptively romp-y novel about mysterious samurai alien robot statues appearing all at once, everywhere that has hidden and absolutely remarkable depths.... Green's understanding of the power and limits of social media is incomparable; what Douglas Coupland did for the elation and misery of the tech-bubble with Microserfs, Green does for YouTubers and other social media stars. It makes for a novel that's always charming, always fast-paced, but which is sneakily and uncomfortably ambivalent about the things it celebrates. It gallops to a startling and great ending (I read it all in one sitting) and lingers afterwards.” (Cory Doctorow, BoingBoing)

“[An Absolutely Remarkable Thing] is perhaps as honest a look as we will ever get into the phenomenon of cyberfame, and Green balances this careful introspection with a plotline that is both fun and mysterious, puzzling, and compelling.... Green quickly proves himself adept not only at playing into our 2018 anxiety and love/hate relationship with social media, but also at driving suspense, world-building, and a true love for science-fiction.” (Bookreporter)

“Led by an earnestly flawed, bisexual heroine with direction and commitment issues, coupled with an abundant generosity of spirit, this read is timely and sorely needed. Highly recommended.” (Library Journal, starred review)

Best book I've read/listen to for a long time.

It contains a lot of current topics and gives a very helpful perspective on a lot of dificulties we as a human species have, while beeing very entertaining and "can't stop listening"y.

Amazing book

i found this book watching a TikTok, so my hopes were middle of the road. It turns out there only part of this book I didn't absolutely love was the fact it had to end.

The characters were great. Could relate to them and cared about what was happening with them. Story was interesting, and I could listen to Kristen Sieh narrate all day.

No doubt I'll listen again. 10/10 would buy again

Speechless

My heart and my mind were overtaken and I struggled to focus on regular life until I finished it....and then I continued to think about it. The performance was freakin incredible and I'm picky about audiobooks. So satisfying to hear Hank's voice on the end. Well done all, I have no words for the emotion evoked in my body right now.

I didn't expect it to be this good

I honestly hoped for a cute story by one of my favorite Youtubers, with some witty jokes and some thoughtful commentary. I did not expect to ball my eyes out. I genuinely forgot about the real world, and yet saw how deeply Hank had tied in real world "problems" and ideologies into a fairly bizarre and abstract modern scifi story. I think listing to this during the covid crisis, the black lives matter moment and the wake of my own personal loss couldn't have been a better time. I wouldn't say its a good time, but I would say it was deeply moving and I am thankful I was in an open state of mind to fully listen and be present for this incredible story.
If you want a nice tidy story about heroes and villains, mystery and intrigue where everyone lives happily ever after and all the answers are handed to you on a silver platter, this book is not it. But if you have the time, energy, and heart to listen to a story that, if you let it, will touch your very soul, I recommend this one. The narrator did a much better job than I expected, and the in depth knowledge of internet fame and fortune coupled with the bizarre humor really make this a unique and special experience.

Incredible performance and engaging story

This book was a very exciting listen. I very much enjoyed it, a very different story that really draws you in. I’m familiar with Hank Green’s videos and you could definitely hear his speech patterns in some parts.

The narrator was incredible. Did a good job of performing the words with the right tone and feelings to match. Had a unique voice for the different characters and was consistent with it.

The ending definitely leaves you wanting more. I do wish there was more closure at the end.

Why did I wait so long?!?

I remember hearing about this books while back. I kind of ignored it thinking it only sort of interested me and that typically those story I left unfinished. I was totally wrong Hanks vibrant story encompasses a level of realism in fiction that i believe most novel authors would give a leg away for. This story provides a subtitle amount of comedy/ drama ;by exemplifying a relatable person and there struggles with real world mimicked fame while at the same time intermingled a completely unique Sci-fi cause for that fame. This story is excellent for anyone and I would highly recommend it. This audio version is absolutely wonderful and I think that Kristen does a brilliant job narrating!

Wow just wow!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I will listen to it again. It reminds me of Contact a bit. It’s lighter science fiction but still carries itself well. I was sad when it ended because I still have questions. I will keep thinking about it and wondering. I enthusiastically recommend.

I have never wanted a sequel more

I have never wanted a sequel more than I want a sequel to An Absolutely Remarkable Thing and you can believe me when I tell you that that is saying something.

I want to say more about this amazing book but I know if I do will inevitably turned into a 5-page paper so I will leave it at that.

fantastic and refreshing

I couldn't expect anything less from Hank Green. I could imagine him writing every word.

Best book this year! Amazing journey!

A fantastic race, with evolving characters and a lesson to be learned. A must on your list.