The Lesson

De: Cadwell Turnbull

Narrado por: Janina Edwards, Ron Butler

An alien ship rests over Water Island. For five years, the people of the US Virgin Islands have lived with the Ynaa, a race of super-advanced aliens on a research mission they will not fully disclose. They are benevolent in many ways but meet any act of aggression with disproportional wrath. This has led to a strained relationship between the Ynaa and the local Virgin Islanders, and a peace that cannot last.

A year after the death of a young boy at the hands of an Ynaa, three families find themselves at the center of the inevitable conflict, witness and victim to events that will touch everyone and teach a terrible lesson.

©2019 Cadwell Turnbull (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Turnbull is a rising star in the science fiction and fantasy world.” (The Verge)

“Turnbull was raised in the Caribbean in a family that lived there for generations. This slow but gradual addition to the field of diverse writers whose fiction is influenced by their cultural background has not only led to a more authentic depiction of places other than mainland America and the United Kingdom, it’s also revitalized the genre’s creaky old tropes, such as the alien invasion/first contact narrative.... The Lesson is everything I adore about a debut, a bold new voice that applies a fresh coat of paint to an old idea and does so with a sense of daring, compassion, and intelligence.” (Ian Mond, Locus)

“Sometimes the aliens don’t land in New York or London. In fact, the alien Ynaa ship that catalyzes the emotional landscape and drives the action of this debut novel lands in the harbor of Water Island, one of the US Virgin Islands.... A persuasively - almost musically - worded meditation on colonialism and whether it’s really possible to return home again.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Awesome story set in my native US Virgin Islands

The story was original and set in the US Virgin Islands, which was an unusual treat. The author captures the feel of the Islands and their history. A true pleasure.

A moving story of suspicion and misunderstanding

If you are looking for something different than a trite alien invasion story, this is it. The Lesson is original. The story takes place on St. Thomas in the Caribbean and the author looks at the colony of aliens through a lens shaped by the island's history of invasions and slavery, and by the willingness of the world to ignore the invasion of St Thomas as long as the invasion does not damage them. The title is not clearly explained until late in the book, but don't give up. It's worth every second of the original read.

Wanted more!

An interesting storyline with poignant vignettes of human lives intersecting with extra terrestrial visitors to earth. I felt it ended rather abruptly and wanted more of the characters lives. Definitely thought-provoking regarding the existential questions of conflict, survival, and protecting one’s own at any cost. Fantastic narrator – – the vocal characterizations were great!

Excellent writing, excellent audio performance

A truly compelling novel and so well written. Set in the Virgin Islands (author from there originally), sci-fi/aliens, the colonialism in our history intertwined with what the aliens, who have vast powers, create when they arrive. I cannot praise the audio performances enough. An absolute pleasure to listen to—so very well executed.

Wonderful Novel

Well written, well performed. I hope the story continues as a series. Worth the credit!