Dying Inside

By: Robert Silverberg

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

In 1972, Robert Silverberg, even then an acknowledged leader in the science fiction field, published a book that was immediately hailed as a masterpiece. More than three decades later, Dying Inside has stood the test of time and has been recognized as one of the finest novels the field has ever produced. Never wasting a word, Silverberg persuasively shows us what it would be like to read minds, painting an unforgettable portrait of a man shaped by that unique power; a power he is now inexorably losing.

Acclaimed upon first publication by SF critics and mainstream reviewers alike, Dying Inside is overdue for reintroduction to today’s SF audience. This is a novel for everyone who appreciates deeply affecting characterization, imaginative power, and the irreplaceable perspective unique to speculative fiction of the highest order.

©1972 Agberg, Ltd. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“One of those rare novels that manages to be at once dazzling and tender.” (Michael Chabon)

“Dying Inside is an artist’s summit that doubles as an intimate allegory of the artist’s quandary.” (Jonathan Lethem)

“Silverberg has written the perfect science fiction novel for people who don’t like science fiction.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

masterwork

This one's a keeper. Despite Silverberg's reputation as a great SF author, this book isn't a genre work. It's has a lyrical feel, maybe like a memoir with telepathy as a kind of stand-in for the creative process. The performance was wonderful with lots of colour, but never overbearing. Best book I read or listened to all year.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

LITERARY TWADDLE

THE OLD ACADEMIC BULLSHIT
This book reads like a diary and each day could start with the words, Oh Woe Is Me. The main character can read minds and this leads to all sorts of problems. For most of his life he knows no one else who can do this and he can not tell anyone else. As a small child, he reads the minds of his parents as they have sex, argue, lie to each other, etc. I had high hopes for this and thought it was going to make an interesting story. The story meandered and sometimes into meaningless side stories. David makes money by doing term papers for college students. In chapter 4 he does a paper on THE NOVELS OF KAFKA, and we get the entire paper in this book. Chapter 14 is THE "ELECTRA" THEME IN AESCHYLUS, SOPHOCLES, AND EURIPIDES and once again we get to read the entire paper.

Evidently there is no upside to reading minds and then when you lose the power that has haunted you all your life, there is no upside to that either. As they say were I live, this guy would bitch if they hung him with a new rope.

TIME FOR MIND MOVIES

18 of 21 people found this review helpful

An Undistinguished Man with Telepathic Abilities

Dying inside is written in a subjective style from the point of view of its protagonist, David Selig, a man who is losing his telepathic abilites, and he is struggling to compensate for the lose. The novel is every bit as much a literary masterpiece as it is classic science fiction. The novel actually trancends the science fiction genre, practically anyone could enjoy this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Deeply absorbing. Excellent.

Wistful without being morose. A book that could have been very depressing but wasn’t. Humor, depth, outstanding fiction perfectly believable. No profound ending. Just a thorough examination of and acceptance that loss will occur in life. Recognition of that fact gives us reason to cherish what we will lose before it is lost - our youth, our wits, our loved ones, our lives. Living we fret, dying we live. Recognize our blessings.

Great book

This book was very thoughtful, and did a good job of detailing the inner workings of the protagonist's mind. I was blown away.

Meandering story that leads nowhere

Any additional comments?

I purchased this book because I like first person perspective stories and the premise was interesting. The story is a nauseating diary of inane interactions. The narration is equally poor. The narrator has a deep, slow droll that puts you to sleep.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Unrelenting angst

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

People who enjoy self-pity.

What could Robert Silverberg have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Explored beyond the premise of the title.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Stefan Rudnicki?

His voice is the only reason I listened to the whole thing.

What character would you cut from Dying Inside?

The protagonist. (The agonist?)

Any additional comments?

I expected real science fiction. This is a novel with a quirky premise.

1 of 7 people found this review helpful