Deathworld

By: Harry Harrison

Narrated by: Christian Rummel

Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

Deathworld centers on Jason dinAlt, a professional gambler who uses his somewhat erratic psionic abilities to tip the odds in his favor. He is challenged by a man named Kerk Pyrrus (who turns out to be the ambassador from the planet Pyrrus) to turn a large amount of money into an immense sum by gambling at a government-run casino. He succeeds and survives the planetary government's desperate efforts to steal back the money.

In a fit of ennui, he decides to accompany Kerk to his home, despite being warned that it is the deadliest world ever colonized by humans... DEATHWORLD!

Deathworld is one of the classics of the Golden Age of science fiction, born in the pages of Astounding Science Fiction under the editorship of John W. Campbell, Jr.

©1960 Harry Harrison (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Not as good I remembered

I read this many decades ago in my youth. Now, I bought it as part of many SF books to introduce to my son. Unfortunately, it was not as good as I remembered. The characters were flat. The plot did not really build to a satisfying climax. I bought book 2, but it was so boring, that I couldn't finish it. I guess I wasn't very discerning when I was young.

an interesting story

A gambler is convinced to help a stranger increase his fortunes. they go to a casino and win big. then the gambler decides to return with the stranger to his home world. the gambler attempts to adapt to the strange and deadly world and questions what the natives will not. he learns what they refuse to and decides to try and change things. full of action. characters seem a bit hollow at times. I'm an avid fan of Harry Harrison. I think the narrator has room for improvement. his performance was good but some of the characters seemed rushed.

Good ole fashioned sf

Didn't know what to expect. Good story over 55 years old. Good narration. A little sexism however those were the norms back then. Looking forward to the next in the series.

love this

I read these books when I was a kid. loved them! so happy to find them on hear. only comment is that the reader doesn't seem to do it for me. a couple of times I cringed at his voices. Eh. Still a great story.

Great Voice Acting

Christian Rummel does a great job in lead voicing this great Sci-Fi classic with multiple supporting character voices!

old book, but refreshingly new story

I felt the narration was great and the story pace was perfect. For a book written in the 60's, it feels like it could fit in today. Well written and full of imagination.

Interesting plot!

I had no idea the book would go in the direction it did. I'm amazed to hear there are not in the series. Can't wait to hear those too. it was almost like a space western.

Highly Entertaining but than I expect nothing less

Love Harry Harrison since I started listening to the Bill the Glactic Hero books last year and this did not disappoint!

Pulpy Sci-Fi Antics

Any additional comments?

This story got off to a strong start and then crept very slowly downhill. The bulk of the plot is ok, run of the mill stuff, but the ending was especially cheesy. Harrison has written some great SF stories, but this isn't one of them.

Narrator, Christian Rummel, has a good voice but there is little diversity to his repertoire. There are about 3 characters that he narrates with distinction and they all have a vaguely southern accent. The voice he picks for the one female character, is so ditzy sounding that it is hard to empathize with her.

Despite these shortcomings, I would try both narrator and author again.

wish it wouldn't have ended.

Narration was excellent, the story line kept you from putting it down. I will have Deathworld two.

One of my favourite Harry Harrison books

a all time favourite of mine - this set of books along with the stainless steel rat books I rarely grow tired of.

great ripping yarn, with twists and turns.

absorbing, interesting, clever, filled with ideas and plots. Can highly recommend to all sci fi enthusiasts, indeed on the strength of this I have just purchased books 2 & 3.