METAtropolis

By: Jay Lake, Tobias Buckell, Elizabeth Bear, John Scalzi, Karl Schroeder

Narrated by: Michael Hogan, Scott Brick, Kandyse McClure, Alessandro Juliani, Stefan Rudnicki, John Scalzi

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Welcome to a world where big cities are dying, dead - or transformed into technological megastructures. Where once-thriving suburbs are now treacherous Wilds. Where those who live for technology battle those who would die rather than embrace it. It is a world of zero-footprint cities, virtual nations, and armed camps of eco-survivalists.

Welcome to the dawn of uncivilization.

METAtropolis is an intelligent and stunning creation of five of today's cutting-edge science-fiction writers: 2008 Hugo Award winners John Scalzi and Elizabeth Bear; Campbell Award winner Jay Lake; plus fan favorites Tobias Buckell and Karl Schroeder. Together they set the ground rules and developed the parameters of this "shared universe", then wrote five original novellas - all linked, but each a separate tale.

Bringing this audiobook to life is a dream team of performers: Battlestar Galactica's Michael Hogan ("Saul Tigh"); Alessandro Juliani ("Felix Gaeta"); and Kandyse McClure ("Anastasia 'Dee' Dualla"); plus legendary audiobook narrators Scott Brick (Dune) and Stefan Rudnicki (Ender's Game).

John Scalzi, who served as Project Editor, introduces each story, offering insight into how the METAtropolis team created this unique project exclusively for digital audio.

©2008 Joseph E. Lake, Jr., Tobias S. Buckell, Elizabeth Bear, John Scalzi, Karl Schroeder (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• 2009 Hugo Award nominee, Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form

• 2009 Audie Award nominee, Original Work

“Each story shines on its own; as a group they reinforce one another, building a multifaceted view of a realistic and hopeful urban future.” (Publishers Weekly)
“Scalzi and his contributors/collaborators have created a fascinating shared urban future that each of them evokes with his or her particular strengths.... This stellar collection is a fascinating example of shared world-building.” (Booklist)
"This impressive group of writers imagines what happens when the world moves beyond cities as a locus of human civilization. The range of narrators...brings a unique narrative style to the production. Of the five narrators, all well chosen for the stories, Allessandro Juliani proves to be the best with his rendering of Scalzi's piece." (AudioFile)

good not great

like what they did, was fun, pretty easy to get through, 4th story really had me locked, but just wasnt one of those 5 star books you cant put down

Got better with time

I couldn't make ie through the first story. After 45 minutes (I tried to listen to it) I gave up. The ridiculous use of vocabulary really got under my skin so I skipped to story 2. The writing was better but by that time I had had enough. I bought this book on the daily deal. Even that was to much money for this book. I will try an listen a bit more tonight but will return it if it doesn't improve.
UPDATE:
My review went from 1 star to 3 stars. Story 1 was awful. Nothing redeeming about it as I stated above. Because of John Scalzi I decided to continue. Chapter 2 (story 2) was a big improvement over story 1. I am now on story 3 (by Scalzi) and enjoying it. They aren't the best stories I have listened to but they are a huge improvement over story one.

Future World fiction that is really out there

This is a tough one to review, as there are a few stories in this compilation that really stood out, and few that we so convoluted and odd that it detracted from the story line. In the end, I gave a middle of the road rating, as I think that reflects the sum total of the book.

There are some unique ideas in this book, and there are some ideas that are too complicated and/or odd. Narration, conducted by a variety of authors, is well executed and adds to the work.

In summary this is an odd book. I can recommend it if you like fiction that explores how our world will look in the not to distant future. If this isn't your thing, then you may just find this book a little too weird.

this is a book with some great stories

this book has some great stories inside it, some great ideas for social change and environment and scoicligical health.....even though alot or its solutions dont sound like they would really work in real life. I found it the first hopeful dystopian series I've ever read.

Well done.

Well done all the way through. I like the way it made me think about how things are now and how different they could be.
good writing including fascinating ideas of possible worlds and people.
good performance by all readers.

So good.

Just really, REALLY good. Hyper realistic, well written sci-fi. A joy to read. A tribute to community world building.

Definitely worth the listen

John Scalzi is a master at creating worlds and making things all fit together. In Metatropolis, he and four other world builders take us to the not-too-distant future where our consumption-based economy has turned the world upside down and people and finding new ways to thrive and survive. It’s an incredibly hopeful vision of an almost post-apocalyptic world.

Slow starter

Gave up on this one after the first few chapters. I kept waiting for some sort of plot to present itself, but it just droned on about nothing. Maybe I'll give it another try later, but it didn't leave a good first impression.

Loved it

I could see the future world in the wonderful stories.

A Standout Above and Beyond.

What did you love best about METAtropolis?

I really loved that they managed to do something different in a time when everything has already been done. As far as anthologies go this one has the most cohesive feeling and make the most united point. It has a valid message that it transmits in a powerful, convincing and even beautiful way.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tygr Tyger, I think. Hes the sort of person we tend to look for in real life only because we know they dont exist. If we ever found some one like Tygr Tygr in real life I dont think anyone would trust him.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the Completion of Space Ship Detroit. Why I loved this particular scene can really only be explained by personal preference in style.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was, And in fact I did. And then I listened to it again. This is one of my very few repeat listens.

Any additional comments?

Just give it a try. It may not be your usual thing. But branch out and give it a shot. you may not like the first story or even the second. But one of these will get to you.