Blasphemy

By: Douglas Preston

Narrated by: Scott Sowers

Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

In Douglas Preston's Blasphemy, the world's biggest supercollider, locked in an Arizona mountain, was built to reveal the secrets of the very moment of creation: the Big Bang itself.

The Torus is the most expensive machine ever created by humankind, run by the world's most powerful supercomputer. It is the brainchild of Nobel Laureate William North Hazelius. Will the Torus divulge the mysteries of the creation of the universe? Or will it, as some predict, suck the earth into a mini black hole? Or is the Torus a Satanic attempt, as a powerful televangelist decries, to challenge God Almighty on the very throne of Heaven?

Twelve scientists under the leadership of Hazelius are sent to the remote mountain to turn it on, and what they discover must be hidden from the world at all costs. Wyman Ford, ex-monk and CIA operative, is tapped to wrest their secret, a secret that will either destroy the world…or save it.

The countdown begins…

©2007 Splendide Mendax, Inc. (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Listeners are in exceedingly capable hands - Sowers never lets us down. He weaves together the complex subplots of what happens when science and religion collide.” —AudioFile

“When a talented reader narrates a spellbinding story by a consistently powerful author, great things happen in the audio world. Scott Sowers nails the suspense of Preston's latest novel; listeners will be grabbed from the very first line of this 'ripped from the headlines' story of science and religion clashing, with tragic results...Preston never fails to deliver a first-rate thriller, and with Sowers providing the outstanding narrative, listeners are in for a non-stop - and thought-provoking audio experience.” —Library Journal, starred review

Bigoted stereotypes ...

... all the way down.

Bought this on the strength of Tyrannosaur Canyon. What a disappointment.
Agree with others that Preston's characters are cliche' cardboard cutouts.

Poor storyline. Cannot recommend to anyone

Finished it, but kept hoping that some redeeming quality would come forth. Nothing but stereotypes. if the author's next book isn't better, I'm done.

A WASTE

If you are a Christian, especially one who takes their faith seriously, then stay away from this book. You are being warned. I’ve read/listened to most of the Preston/Child books and they have all been somewhat entertaining but this book moves from being the characteristic suspense/detective/thriller to a bashfest on Christians using every negative stereotype that can be conjured. There is even the stated comparison of Christianity to the practices of al-qaida. This book follows on the heels of Tyrannosaurus Canyon with the main character being Wyman Ford, the ex-monk, ex-husband, ex-CIA operative, and apparently ex-Christian; however, this book is not nearly as well written. It’s obvious that Preston is paying homage to L. Ron Hubbard and scientology but at the expense of those who dismiss those beliefs. As for me, this book literally is “Blasphemy”.

Disturbing

As I listened to the author, of whom I am a fan of his storytelling (with Child and his solo novels), I kept geting an odd feeling....then I realized what it was...if any other group, such as Muslims, Catholics, African-Americans, etc. were getting such a treatment as the Christians did in this book, there would be public outcry from all corners.
There is more anthropologic fiction here than science fiction, as I have never met any Christians like the ones Doug Preston describes here. As a biochemist, I am very disappointed with the hate-mongering that the author pens here, since he began training in science before completing his education. I am glad that the Christians I have met are more concerned with helping others than the caricatures that are painted with broad brushes in these pages.
Overall, a very disappointing effort using theology to fan the flames of hatred. So sad...

Usual thriller plot line...

Your basic thriler / sci-fi story - nothing special but nevertheless enjoyable. Type of thing you would see as a made-for-TV movie on, say, the SciFi channel. Of course it has the mandatory final big confrontation with lots of explosions, death and destruction.

Disappointed

Although the author is talented, I am very disappointed in the disrespectful way he portrays Christians. Yes, there is a small percentage of people out there that are like his characters, but the majority of Christians are not. As for Science? The more scientists try to disprove the Bible the more they end up proving it. Do the research.

I couldn't agree more...

I'll just pass along one of the reviews from the Preston and Child website. "With BLASPHEMY, Douglas Preston has finally gone too far. One way or another, I'm afraid he may burn for this book."
—Lincoln Child"

I'm not sure what he intended, but I couldn't agree more!

The Voice Matters

This is a plot-driven story focusing on what happens when a scientific research group discovers "the voice of God". Unfortunately, nearly all of the characters are shallow cartoon types: the brilliant scientist with no respect for anyone else, the Washington lobbyist, the crazy fundamentalist, and so on. This is reinforced by the heavily sarcastic tone frequently employed by the reader, which I found unpleasant. Overall, it was good enough to finish but not good enough to recommend.

Started giving me a headache

I had to shake my head whenever a character - or group of characters - did something absolutely unbelievable and I was supposed to believe it in order to continue the story. At first, I simply said, "really?" in my head when something stupid was done or said but by the time I got two-thirds the way into the book, I was actually saying it out loud, where my co-workers could hear me. I was getting a headache and tired of people looking at me strangely so I just stopped listening.

I "get" the premise of the book and it's an interesting one. (Maybe it would have made a good essay). But did it have to be wrapped up in so much fodder and outrageous plot lines?

I love Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston books but I'm done with the ones Douglas Preston writes alone. I give up.

So many clichés

I thoroughly enjoyed Tyrannosaur Canyon and thought this title would be as gripping. Sadly not. Good premise for the storyline, but bogged down by so many clichés in character development, storyline and writing and plot holes. I'll be returning this one.