Misspent Youth

By: Peter F. Hamilton

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

It's 2040. After decades of research, scientists of the European Union believe that they have at last conquered humankind's most pernicious foe: old age. For the first time, technology holds out the promise of not merely slowing the aging process but actually reversing it. The first subject for treatment is 78-year-old philanthropist Jeff Baker. After 18 months in a rejuvenation tank, Jeff emerges looking like a 20-year-old. And the change is more than skin deep. From his hair cells down to his DNA, Jeff is 20 - with a breadth of life experience.

But while possessing the wisdom of a septuagenarian at age 20 is one thing, raging testosterone is another, as Jeff soon discovers. Suddenly his oldest friends seem, well, old. Jeff's trophy wife looks better than she ever did. His teenage son, Tim, is more like a younger brother. And Tim's nubile girlfriend is a conquest too tempting to resist. Jeff's rejuvenated libido wreaks havoc on the lives of his friends and family, straining his relationship with Tim to the breaking point. It's as if youth is a drug, and Jeff is wasted on it. But if so, it's an addiction he has no interest in kicking.

©2002 Peter F. Hamilton (P)2016 Tantor

Meh

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The book. It's barely a Commonwealth book, very soap opera-ish.

What could Peter F. Hamilton have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I was hoping for something with a larger scale.

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

Great characterizations the make the characters more interesting.

Could you see Misspent Youth being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Heavens no.

Social Norm SciFi (BrettD review)

The main characters in this book are thrown into a situation that breaks down current family social norms. I think Peter F Hamilton does a wonderful job of highlighting the consequences of a simple change in age. However, I think the story had a rapid close that missed some plot opportunities.

A pedestrian soap opera

Would you try another book from Peter F. Hamilton and/or Steven Crossley?

No as I really don't like John Lee as an audiobook narrator. He is too deadpan and boring but all of Peter F Hamilton's books seem to be read by him, sadly.

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

dull and uninspired.

Which scene was your favorite?

when the story stopped being about teenage rebellion and sex and started to be about future trends and bigger social issues.

Do you think Misspent Youth needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not if it's going to be so lazily written and cliche driven as this one.

Any additional comments?

Please go back to writing about the true Commonwealth.

Wasn't what I thought...

Not much af a supposed prequel. I found it to be more of a soft core porn... Disappointed in this story.

Loved it, need a Netflix show

This should be a Netflix series, it's just enough underlying sexual content, and the story is well written.

I listened so you don’t have to.

I’ve read most of Peter F. Hamilton’s stuff and this isn’t up to his usual high standard. I’d describe this book as mundane and predictable, so nothing like his other work.

If you are new to to Hamilton, start with Fallen Dragon. After that, move on to the Commonwealth Saga. While you are there be sure to play the “enzyme bonded concrete” drinking game.

Cheers

Okay, not great

Good production, story is okay but kind of spins its wheels and is fairly unnecessary to the larger saga.

Don't start with this one...

Love Peter so much, but this was by far the worst of his books. I beg you, give him a chance with another - Pandora's star, maybe. He's really an incredible author.

Sub par for PFH

Not one of his best. Was really expecting more as it was billed as a Commonwealth novel.

Another great story

If you could sum up Misspent Youth in three words, what would they be?

This is not a typical space operas in PFH style, but this is a great story about love, life, family and friendship. Also, this book is a prequel to the Commonwealth Saga.
The story revolves around Jeff Baker, a well-known British scientist who had previously developed a digital storage device based on crystals that has many more times the storage capacity of hard drives, and had given the design away for free for anyone to benefit from. He is in his 80's, with a teenage son and a "trophy" wife, and he becomes the first person to undergo rejuvenation.