When Iain Banks uses his middle initial, he is writing science fiction. Narrator Robert Lister is remarkable for his portrayal of two very different characters: Ziller, a vain composer who has exiled himself from the planet Chel, and Major Quilan, a tormented veteran of the planet's recent civil war. As Ziller completes his symphony, Quilan is on a mission so secret even he doesn't know the details. The goal is revenge--to be achieved by abolishing the caste system of the Culture, the civilization that caused the Chelgrain war. Lister expertly captures the voices and personalities of humans, half-humans, and robots. His voice is beautifully melodious or bitterly furious, as appropriate, making this a moving experience for science fiction fans and non-fans alike.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2006
Duration: 14 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Multiple award winner Card is one of the greatest practitioners of science fiction; here he delivers a history fantasy of the Wabash Valley circa 1800, a world of hexes and folk magic. This is the first book about Alvin Maker, the seventh son of a seventh son, who has remarkable psychic powers. Card is a very good narrator, expressive and well paced. One can hear the excitement of an author as he brings his own well described characters to life. There is one momentary technical glitch, the only slip up in an exemplary presentation. Highly recommended for fiction collections everywhere.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 7 hrs
Publisher: The Literate Ear
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Asimov's sweeping tale of the disintegration and fall of the Galactic Empire has never been more relevant or poignant. In the third book of the original trilogy, Dan Lazar handles the material adequately. He uses his limited range of voices nicely, if sometimes amusingly--he sometimes sounds like a foreigner attempting to mimic American accents. Varying pitch and pacing make for a lively narration, and his reading of a precocious young woman, who is ultimately an important figure, is delightful. Technical and editorial problems plague the title. Hearing Lazar repeatedly mispronounce a word that the text itself explains how to pronounce is very frustrating. Intermittent fade-outs on one channel; inconsistencies when switching sides; and low, rumbling background noise mar the sound quality.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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