Lucifer's Hammer

By: Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Length: 24 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

The gigantic comet had slammed into Earth, forging earthquakes a thousand times too powerful to measure on the Richter scale, tidal waves thousands of feet high. Cities were turned into oceans; oceans turned into steam. It was the beginning of a new Ice Age and the end of civilization.

But for the terrified men and women chance had saved, it was also the dawn of a new struggle for survival - a struggle more dangerous and challenging than any they had ever known....

©1985 Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Take your earthquakes, waterlogged condominiums, swarms of bugs, colliding airplanes, and flaming what-nots, wrap them up and they wouldn't match one page of Lucifer's Hammer for sweaty-palmed suspense." ( Chicago Daily News)
"Massively entertaining." ( Cleveland Plain-Dealer)

okay read

I read a review that said the storyline was comparable to Stephen King's The Stand, it is not. The story is okay, a little slow going at the beginning but glad I stuck it out and finished.

Very well developed story

The book had got a complex cast of characters, somewhat realistic analysis of the impact, and a fascinating study of a post collapse society.

Parts of the story have a racist undertone, which is unfortunate. Otherwise, this is a fine story.

Not sure how I missed this book

Awesome story! I'm still amazed that I hadn't read this book before now.
Obviously the comments about technology and some social things are dated, but not distracting. Actually, kind of a fun nostalgic trip.
The narrator's voicing of the women is distracting at first, but I got over it quickly.
Probably the best apocalyptic fiction, and I've read a lot of them!

Still a favorite

A perennial favorite despite being a product of the era of its creation. A strong 1970s American worldview. I find myself returning to and recommending this book.

Fantastic story, very gripping

The overall read was captivating, and matched the period piece of the plot. I had to remind myself that I was reading a work of fiction. Several times. Amazing story highly recommended. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this sci-fi duo

legend tail

the tail which all others copy!! epic tail!! a must read or listen :-) must control the lightning

Very enjoyable

This was an entertaining audiobook, with a few key drawbacks that keep it from being 5 stars. First, as noted by many other reviewers, the narrator's female voices are pretty bad. They all come out sounding Southern. But I thought his male voices were well-distinguished, and the straight narration was good as well.

Secondly, the pacing of the story itself is a little strange. The entire first third is character introduction and buildup to the comet strike, then the second third is the strike and immediate aftermath, and the final section is the extended aftermath, including a kind of quick action climax that seems out of place compared to the general tone of suspense in the rest of the book. I felt the third part was rushed, while the first was too drawn out. That said, the writing is excellent throughout, and the various storylines intertwine in some unexpected ways. I put it in the same category as a fun summer action movie that turned out to be better than you expected.

Throughly enjoyable.

Just finished the book and I couldn't wait to write a review. Very enjoyable listen. A bit slow at the beginning as there are a lot of characters to introduce, but man oh man I couldn't stay away after that. The book is a realistic description of how a massive comet strike would affect the planet and an interesting take on how society would react to it. Lucifer's Hammer is well worth your time.

Superb Narrator & an epic story

I cannot say enough good things about the Narrator of this book. He acts every character in the book (and they are plenty) with specific tones that are consistent through out the book leading to the listener knowing who is talking without waiting for the book text to explain who the character is. It felt throughout as a very well acted drama adding depth and meaning to the story.

The story itself is very well written with plenty of science, suspense, and drama.
Highly recommended book. Even if you read the text, listening to Marc Vietor read this book is a completely immersive experience.

Good read for the genre

Overall, I think that for the time and the subject this is a pretty good book. There are a few things wrong with it...using mustard gas and nerve gas as fertilizer? Mustard gas left over from WWI and WWII is still toxic, I don't know if I would be farming a field covered with it a year latter. The plot has some other issues: the quick switch to a cannibal diet after only a few days. Yes, profound hunger is a powerful motivator, but in just a few days? A few other odd spots--a character is seen getting smashed by a tidal wave in one chapter, reappears a few chapters latter unscathed. The end felt like a quick wrap up, not a polished finale, but given the length of the book it is understandable that the authors had to wrap it up. Don't forget that this was written in 1977, so references to Apollo and the Soviets etc... Overall, this is a good book and an enjoyable read, well worth the time.