Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth

By: Frank Cottrell Boyce

Narrated by: Peter Capaldi

Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

The Blythes are a big, warm, rambunctious family who live on a small farm and sometimes foster children. Now Prez has come to live with them. But, though he seems cheerful and helpful, he never says a word.

Then one day Prez answers the door to someone claiming to be his relative. This small, loud stranger carries a backpack, walks with a swagger and goes by the name of Sputnik.

As Prez dithers on the doorstep, Sputnik strolls right past him and introduces himself to everyone in the household. Prez is amazed at the response. The family pat Sputnik on the head, call him a good boy and drop food into his mouth. It seems they all think Sputnik is a dog. It's only Prez who thinks otherwise.

But Prez soon finds himself having to defend the family from the chaos and danger unleashed by Sputnik, as household items come to life - like a TV remote that fast-forwards people: 'Anyone can do it, it's just that people don't read the instructions properly'; and a toy lightsaber that entertains guests at a children's party, until one of them is nearly decapitated by it - and Prez is going to have to use his voice to explain himself.

It turns out that Sputnik is writing a guidebook to Earth called Ten Things Worth Doing on Earth, and he takes Prez on a journey to discover just those 10 things. Each adventure seems to take Prez nearer to the heart of the family he is being fostered by. But they also take him closer to the day that he is due to leave them forever....

©2017 Frank Cottrell Boyce (P)2017 Macmillan Digital Audio

Chaotic Story with Sympathetic Characters

Frank Cottrell Boyce's "Cosmic" was a favorite so I was excited to see another of his books hit our state award nominee list. There is a lot... seriously A LOT of activity in this story. And Peter Capaldi kept the intensity high with his narration style (great accent not too hard for kids to understand). But I have to admit that around hour 3 I was tired of the mayhem and ready for it to end happily if possible. I was afraid at first that it was going to have a "too easy" ending with everyone living happily ever after but I shouldn't have been so worried. It was a realistic ending (as realistic as a shape shifting alien story line can be) but satisfying. And then I went and took a nap to recover. If you've never read Cottrell Boyce before start with "Cosmic" and maybe rest up before jumping in to Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth.

Rollicking ride with a surprisingly touching heart

I have to confess, when I originally chose this recording it was because it was read by Peter Capaldi, not for the story or author, and I was not disappointed...his animated reading was as delightful as ever, and the extra Scottish twinkle he brought to the story was no doubt the reason he was chosen for this book. What I did not expect , however, was what I thought was a kids book essentially when I started this was in fact, a phenomenally creative and surprisingly touching story to be enjoyed by grandkid and grandparent alike. Now I'm after more by this author and please please Mr Capaldi, I beg of you to please give us the pleasur of your voice and talent to more audio books!

Ok but not Boyce's best on audio

the Narrator has a good range of voices, but he didn't seem the best fit for this story.
if you like Boyce try Framed or Cosmic

The story is good and the narrator is also good

The book is good and the narrator is really good as well I give it 9/10👍

A Fantastic Adventure Narrated with Panache!

I found myself laughing out loud at times, and actually shedding tears at other times because of this heartwarming story that was read with such amazing panache by the wonderful Peter Capaldi. He's made it even more entertaining, and his Scottish accent adds authenticity and flavor to the narration. It's a pleasure listening to him use different voices and bring life to the book's sympathetic characters.

The story is heartwarming but never sappy, cheeky but never rude. Your heart will go out to Prez, and sometimes, you can even imagine the irrepressible Sputnik as a Doctor Who-like character who wreaks mayhem wherever he goes but still manages to save the day.

The book was written for kids and tweens but it strikes a chord even with adults.

Hands down the best book I've listened to

This was an amazing story: fun, heartwarming, interesting characters. It was so enjoyable I'm going to hunt down the other books by this author. The narration was absolutely brilliant! I usually don't care for audio books over printed options but Mr. Capaldi does such a wonderful job I can't imagine not listening to it. I loved the voices and felt like he was telling *me* a story rather than reading one that I could listen in on. I will be listening to this over and over again. 11/10 Cannot recommend highly enough.

Laughed so much I woke up my husband!

Peter Capaldi narrates. Enough said. Automatic 5 stars for narration. But Peter narrates this one with the most wonderful Scottish accent ~ purely lovely and it adds more to the humor of the words, especially for Sputnik. But don’t try listening to this in bed with earbuds unless you’re sleeping alone. Full disclosure... I decided to submit a review before I even finished chapter one because the story is so funny I couldn’t contain my laughter. Ended up waking my husband because the laughs were escaping as snorts. The hazards of listening to a brilliantly written hilarious story after everyone else has gone to bed. Many thanks to the author and narrator for a fantastic Audible experience!!
P. S. Heaven help me! Chapter 3 is so funny I had to come to the living room to be able to laugh out loud. My eardrums were about to explode from trying to keep my laughs inside to not waken him again. What a fabulously entertaining book!