When Worlds Collide

De: Edwin Balmer, Philip Wylie

Narrado por: Peter Ganim

A runaway planet hurtles toward Earth. As it draws near, massive tidal waves, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions wrack our planet, devastating continents, drowning cities, and wiping out millions. In central North America, a team of scientists race to build a spacecraft powerful enough to escape the doomed Earth. Their greatest threat, they soon discover, comes not from the skies but from other humans.

A crackling plot and sizzling, cataclysmic vision have made When Worlds Collide one of the most popular and influential end-of-the-world novels of all time.

©1932, 1933 Edwin Balmer & Philip Wylie (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Dated but Enjoyable

I found this an enjoyable listen over all, however the writing style is quaint, highly embellished and somewhat stilted to 21st century ears. In fact, I can't believe people actually spoke like that in the 30's. The narrator does an excellent job of interpreting it, reflecting the formal tone but embellishing with good characterisation. The formality of the narrator's tone took some getting used to it, but once I realised it reflected the writing style, I appreciated it far more.

The science is quite outdated - pre-space travel and pre-nuclear trying to imagine both. It must have been thrilling when it was written and while even to layman's ears is obviously wrong, it doesn't detract from the story and the search for a suitable casement for the nuclear reactor adds to the tension. A novel set in the 21st century would be very different, but probably wouldn't have the same drama as technology would be at hand to overcome many of the obstacles. The 1930's, however, provides a far more challenging and thus interesting setting.

I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Holds up so well after four score years

I have to admit I was not aware this was written in 1932/33 when I started reading. It was only a couple hours in that some clues prompted me to find out. My point being that the work holds up very well after all this time. That it was penned before even the first dalliances of mans ascent to the heavens lends more admiration.

I hope that one day this book is made into a modern big blockbuster Hollywood spectacular. One that would far outshine 2012 and it's razor thin premise. The events portrayed in When Worlds Collide are as utterly plausible and real today, as they were in 1932.

The narration was excellent. I always enjoy Peter Ganim's performances.

When Worlds Collide

If you could sum up When Worlds Collide in three words, what would they be?

1.When 2.Worlds 3.Collide

What was one of the most memorable moments of When Worlds Collide?

When the French spaceship [SPOILER]!

What three words best describe Peter Ganim’s voice?

Dramatically Overly Dramatic

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

I didn't have any extreme reactions to it.

Any additional comments?

This almost eighty-five year old book is somewhat of a struggle at first because it reads like a script for an old radio program or one of those pre-television newsreels. So yes, it is dated, but once the excitement kicks in, this is a real apocalyptic joyride strong enough to remain a classic to this day.

I would LOVE to see more Philip Wylie on Audible! I would love an audiobook of Generation of Vipers or his many other essays.

Signs of the Times

A book written in the thirties, it postulates rocket travel to another planet after the earth is doomed. I have to admit, I couldn't put it down...even though one of the characters, a New York socialite, brings along his "jap" manservant. On to "After Worlds Collide."

Racist and Homophobic diatribe

'Come here my Jap.' I'll try to work that into my next meeting with the corporate leaders in my company during our DEI discussion.