The Long Utopia

The Long Earth, Book 4

By: Terry Pratchett, Stephen Baxter

Narrated by: Michael Fenton Stevens

Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

It's 2045-2059. After the cataclysmic upheavals of Step Day and the Yellowstone eruption, humanity is spreading farther into the Long Earth, and society, on a battered Datum Earth and beyond, continues to evolve.

Now an elderly and cantankerous AI, Lobsang, lives in disguise with Agnes in an exotic, far-distant world. He’s convinced they’re leading a normal life in New Springfield - they even adopt a child - but it seems they have been guided there for a reason. As rumours of strange sightings and hauntings proliferate, it becomes clear that something is very awry with this particular world.

Millions of steps away, Joshua is on a personal journey of discovery: learning about the father he never knew and a secret family history. But then he receives a summons from New Springfield. Lobsang now understands the enormity of what’s taking place beneath the surface of his Earth - a threat to all the worlds of the Long Earth.

To counter this threat will require the combined efforts of humankind, machine and the superintelligent Next. And some must make the ultimate sacrifice....

©2015 Random House (P)2015 Random House

Great Series of four stories

Would you consider the audio edition of The Long Utopia to be better than the print version?

I am a big fan of audio book as I am dyslexic and so I find it hard to hold the story in my head in a paper book. This is a great book/series and well worth the listen.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the bazar nature of stepping and that it would offer a host of future opportunity

Which scene did you most enjoy?

All of it.

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

You could listen in one sitting but it would be an all day listen.

The end of something wonderful

Would you listen to The Long Utopia again? Why?

Yes - it is comletely immersive and absorbing and I will be listening to all 4 of them again and no doubt again. An original concept beautifully told.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Long Utopia?

Without giving too much away I would say the unearthing of Joshua's family history. It was a wonderfully conceived story which, if I am not mistaken, could open up a whole new storyline.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Has to be Lindsey keeping a load of bandits bottled up in an isolated shack chatting with Joshua inbetween the taking the occasional potshot. The interaction between these two is beautiful.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both laugh and cry - and in order to avoid spoilers I am not going to say where in the book.

Any additional comments?

So long Sir Terry and thank you for the laughter and tears ... but especially the laughter. You brought alot of pleasure in mine and my families life.

A good book at the end of the series

Probably the 2nd best book of the series after the 1st one.
Managing to give endings to many of the characters as well as using a inventive and original story.

Fantastic!

Great characters, great concept great story. I hope Terry left some notes so that this could be continued.

Good close

At first I thought it would be a step to far as a series, it has left it open for more but I think this should be the last

the fat lady has sung

It's a shame it had to end but this is a good conclusion to the series

Looks like the series isn't over yet.

Enjoyed the book and whilst it was not too surprising I do want to see where the story goes next.

Excellent addition to the series

Where does The Long Utopia rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my favorite TP sci-fi book series.

What did you like best about this story?

This book continues the series and lobsang starts to address the fact he might be mad. It also brings aliens into the story.

What about Michael Fenton Stevens’s performance did you like?

The narration is great and empathetic to the characters.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

This is a great addition to the story, but it does leave you a bit cut-short. This was written with another book planned, hopefully Stephen Baxter has enough of TPs notes to be able to make a the last book in line with the previous few.

Weakest so far

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It failed where the previous books succeded in drawing you into the story. Some of the arcs were compelling whereas the main only started to get really interesting towards the end

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

the main arc was interesting however there was not as much suspense as I would have hoped.

Which character – as performed by Michael Fenton Stevens – was your favourite?

Sister Agnes

Do you think The Long Utopia needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, I think there are some loose ends that would be deserving of being tied up

utopia not live as we know it

Would you listen to The Long Utopia again? Why?

yes like the story can see the appeal of just stepping away from the life you had to just travel not needing todays documentation

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Long Utopia?

first contact and the realization that world was being spun out of existence

What does Michael Fenton Stevens bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

the rich voice I can listen to time and again

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the new life for ben

Any additional comments?

this again is terry pratchett at his best what more is there to say