• Farewell to the Master

  • By: Harry Bates
  • Narrated by: Tom Weiner
  • Length: 1 hr and 29 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (179 ratings)

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Farewell to the Master  By  cover art

Farewell to the Master

By: Harry Bates
Narrated by: Tom Weiner
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Publisher's summary

Were the alien and his robot here to help or hinder humankind? Find out the surprising answer in the original story that inspired the classic 1951 science-fiction movie The Day the Earth Stood Still.

This is a must-read for any science-fiction lover, for, as the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction says, "the film lost the story's ironic ending." Now listeners can discover first-hand what Hollywood left out in this best-known novella of the legendary 1930s idea man, Harry Bates.

Bates's novella, published in 1940 under the title Farewell to the Master, with its poignant, haunting last line, posthumously brought him the coveted Balrog Award (1983). Long-time science-fiction fans rank it and its creator among the greats.

Public Domain (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Farewell to the Master

Average customer ratings
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    4 out of 5 stars

An interesting variation from the film

Not the film, but in its own, very different way, excellent. An interesting variation in several ways. This may be one of the very few examples of a film better than the source material.

I would not say that of the remake of the film.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Better Than all the Movies which it Inspired

This was a very good short story. Why no one has bothered to make it into a proper film, I don't understand.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Remember, the story came first...

Starts a bit flat, but gradually builds until I was eager to find out how the punchline would be delivered!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Farewell

Fantastic story. The morality was lost in the Hollywood version. Very Meaningful. Great short story.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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the Day the Earth Stood Still

Story written in ancient times. A guess at electronics and weapons. I liked it. if you remember the movie you gotta read this.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Day The Master Stood Still

If you have loved the old, original production of "The Day The Earth Stood Still", so too will you love this original version of that great story. Bear in mind that the story and the movie are far different. Michael Rennie will always be Klaatu for me. As others have noted, do NOT skip ahead and read the ending of the story. You will ruin the story for you. The narrator is perfect, and he enhanced the story. By all means, get this audiobook.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Aged well

Many scifi stories age poorly this one is an exception. M m m m m m m m

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Nice

Well written Sci Fi and expertly narrated. Worth a listen even if you've seen the movie.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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What a story

The Day The Earth Stood Still is my ALL TIME favorite sci-fi movie! I always knew it from Harry Bates, Farewell To The Master, and I vaguely remember reading it as teen, but listening to it gave me a new perspective that I thoroughly enjoyed.

An excellent reading of a good story. I recommend it to any die hard sci-fi fan!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent in the classic style

As the origin of “The day the earth stood still” it is a fantastic story with an excellent message.
Tom Werner reads the story as it should be read. I am much more likely to listen if Tom is reading.

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