Dimension of Miracles

By: Robert Sheckley

Narrated by: John Hodgman

Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration - Male, 2014

Award-winning author, narrator, and screenwriter Neil Gaiman personally selected this book, and, using the tools of the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), produced this work for his audiobook label, Neil Gaiman Presents.

A few words from Neil on Dimension of Miracles: "Dimension of Miracles is probably not [Sheckley's] most famous book…. but I think it's probably his best-loved book. It's about the joys and tribulations (mostly the tribulations) of winning the lottery—the galactic lottery—accidentally. And wrongly. Tom Carmody is awarded a remarkable prize, is taken half way across the universe to collect it, finds himself hopelessly lost, and needs to find his way home again to Earth…to this Earth, not an alternate, weirdo Earth. He's got to get back. And the price is high.

In its style of humor—and even in some of the jokes—Dimension of Miracles is very obviously a precursor of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Douglas actually hadn't read Dimension of Miracles until very shortly after Hitchhiker came out, when people pointed him to it, and he told me that he found the experience almost shocking—it was like reading himself. He was a huge admirer of Bob Sheckley and a huge admirer of this book, and in later life, I had the privilege of introducing both of them.

Now the challenge for me with a book this funny, this strange, this perceptive was to try and find a narrator who was as iconic, somebody who could deliver the goods, somebody who could give you a book like this as it deserved to be given. And the first, and the last, and actually the only person to come to mind was John Hodgman. So I asked John, and he said yes! And he did it; he pulled it off. Listening to John—not just the suave, sensible, sane narrator of this book, but all the peculiar accents and incarnations that he is forced to adopt through here—he does it delightfully, he does it brilliantly, he's really, really funny. And so is this book. Enjoy your journey through a Dimension of Miracles."

Dimension of Miracles is a satirical science fiction novel first published by Dell in 1968. It's about Tom Carmody, a New Yorker who, thanks to a computer error, wins the main prize in the Intergalactic Sweepstakes. Tom claims his prize before the error is discovered and is allowed to keep it. However, since Tom is a human from Earth without galactic status and no space traveling experience, he has no homing instinct that can guide him back to Earth once his odyssey begins - and the galactic lottery organizers cannot transport him home. Meanwhile, his removal from Earth has caused a predatory entity to spring into existence - one that aims to destroy him. Carmody is on the run, and he ends up transporting from Earth to Earth - different phases and realities of the planet.

Learn more about Neil Gaiman Presents and Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX).

©1968 Robert Sheckley (P)2013 Robert Sheckley

Critic reviews

"Hodgman, probably best known to geeks for his appearances on The Daily Show and his role as the PC in those Apple commercials a few years back, has a dryly intelligent deadpan that wonderfully counterpoints the absurd adventures of Thomas Carmody, a mid 20th-century New York everyman who’s invited to a galactic center to collect a sweepstakes prize." ( Locus)

Interestingly Strange

Reminds me of the fun of reading a Douglas Adams book! couldn't stop listening to it.

Thanks for the recommendation Neil

I loved this book, laughed out loud until my face hurt. Intelligent, witty, and very well narrated. I was not in the mood to laugh when I started this book, but decided to give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised, and my mood was instantly altered. Highly recommend

Hitchikers

Any additional comments?

I was surprised that this was written before the guide to the Galaxy series. If you liked that series you will like its original inspiration.

An Excellent Story That Was Over Sold

What made the experience of listening to Dimension of Miracles the most enjoyable?

The story was a very enjoyable listen. The preposterous circumstances faced by the main character entertain and bemuse. The narration was done very well it will be an enjoyable read for any lover of unusual circumstances that lead the reader astray.

Any additional comments?

This book was compared to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by many people who recommended it. I found that this was over selling the story. The laughable absurd circumstances that occur in the Hitchhikers Guide were, I found, sorely lacking in this book. The story however is an enjoyable read. I would suggest this book. If you are a lover of the hitchhikers guide do not be surprised if the story lacks the laugh out loud humor of the Douglas Adams.

Beyond ‘wonderful!

This book explains why should we should be careful of what we wish for , question the validity of all our questions and be suspicious of any answers that come from Science, religion, economics, art, philosophy,… you get the idea! One of the smartest and funniest books I’ve ever read. I hope you enjoy it too

Better than expected...

Wasn't excited about this book, but it came highly recommended. I wasn't a fan of Douglas Adam's (which his Hitchhiker books is what this one is common compared to), so I wasn't excited about this one.

Sheckley, though, excels where Adams doesn't. Where Adam's humor is campy and a bit in-your-face, Sheckley tends to be a bit more reserved. Granted, there's talking dinosaurs and goofy characters, but the humor they have is a bit smarter and enjoyable. Hodgman is the perfect narrator as he brings to life the characters beautifully.

All in all, it was better than I had expected. It's not without it's dry parts or various minor plot holes...but they are fairly short and minor and don't weigh down the reader much.

Hitchhiker's Before There Was a Hitchhiker's

If you could sum up Dimension of Miracles in three words, what would they be?

Genius. Hilarious. Perfect.

What other book might you compare Dimension of Miracles to and why?

As I said in my title, this book is the Hitchhiker's Guide's precursor. I can't imagine what Douglas Adams must have been thinking and feeling while he was reading this for the first time, apparently after Hitchhiker's had been published. They share so much of the dry, irreverent, metaphysical humor that it is hard to believe that Adams had never read Dimensions before. If you like Hitchhiker's Guide at all, GET THIS BOOK!

What about John Hodgman’s performance did you like?

Absolutely everything. Neil Gaiman hit the nail square on the head when he asked John Hodgman to narrate this book.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. I found it to be funny and witty and thought provoking. The story was suburb and the characters were charming and well rounded. I started listening to it again as soon as I finished it the first time and I plan on getting any and all other Robert Sheckley books that Audible has to offer.

If you listen to one audiobook only, make it this!

If you could sum up Dimension of Miracles in three words, what would they be?

A wonderful journey that just makes you want to listen for hours. A must read/listen, actually a must listen by John Hodgman only, he is perfect for this. A very talented man.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dimension of Miracles?

All of it!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator made it wonderful - how dare you say he detracted

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, not really

Any additional comments?

Listen to this book darn it!

Entertaining but poor ending

An overall really enjoyable listen that should appeal to fans of Douglas Adams. The book raced by, but suddenly and unexpectedly slammed on the brakes near the end with a rather tedious segment. Sadly never recovered, and ended more with a whimper than I would have liked and expected.

Delicious

Would you listen to Dimension of Miracles again? Why?

Yes, I would. It was very close to perfect.

What did you like best about this story?

The feeling I had when I finished the book was the feeling you have after a perfect meal - every taste bud satisfied. The resolution of the story was perfect.

What about John Hodgman’s performance did you like?

It was pitch perfect, so 1950s in just the right way.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud more than once.

Any additional comments?

Thanks Neil for sharing your love for this book. By now everyone knows how close this book is to the hitchhiker's guide. Think Arthur Dent with a lot more spunk. But if that makes you hesitate at all, believe me, enjoying this book is not going to take anything away from the guide. I'll listen to or read everything Sheckley has written!