Creepy and Cloying; like life on Oasis

Would you consider the audio edition of The Book of Strange New Things to be better than the print version?

I've not read it, but enjoyed the narration, so I can only assume so.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of the characters are flawed, which is part of their charm. I eventually grew to like Peter, but it took a while.

Have you listened to any of Josh Cohen’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I don't think so, but thought he was excellent.

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

Probably Jesus-Lover Five's final scene, but many of the scenes involving the interactions with the aliens were moving - when you could understand them.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. Found it haunting, and it left me a little rattled - a bit like Under the Skin did when I read it.

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Can I give it ten stars

Simply brilliant. So completely original. I was completely glued to it and may have to listen again to the last few chapters to make sure I didn’t miss anything. The reader was also one of the best I’ve heard in ages, could definitely listen to his voice again.

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Different and Fascinating

Would you listen to The Book of Strange New Things again? Why?

I would rather read it. I did not enjoy the narrator's attempts to pronounce the words the aliens say when trying to speak English.

What other book might you compare The Book of Strange New Things to, and why?

This book is quite unique but the closest I could get to a comparison is Michael Faber's "Under The Skin".

What about Josh Cohen’s performance did you like?

Yes apart from the attempt to speak like the aliens. That was rather painful.

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

Not really

Any additional comments?

It is a good story and keeps you reading to see how it works out and what is really going on. I found the extensive Christian sermons very tedious and think they could have been shortened.

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9 people found this helpful

One of the Best on Audible.

Excellent book and narration - if you like sci-fi with a believable plot you will not be disappointed.
I hope there will be a sequel.

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2 people found this helpful

interesting but...

this is an unusual book. there aren't many stories addressing religious faith and missionaries in science fiction seeing, and fewer so that make an accurate depiction of an actual real world faith. this isn't a book about a fiction fiction religion, it's a book about religion and faith with a science fiction setting.

as a character study it works very well. primarily the text revolves around Peter and his struggle with being apart from his wife while she goes through worse and wiser experiences, done only hinted at. it's quite powerful and moving at times.

what I found a bit grating is that Peter really is an idiot. he didn't see what's happening right in front of him and manages to make the worst possible decisions, particularly regarding his wife, over and over again. he is also paradoxically selfish and unable to listen to what she is clearly telling him. at points you just want to scream at him.

the final phase of the book treads stone of the ground of the new testament, particularly the resurrection, which is nice but also a little heavy handed.

it's good, it's different. it could be better.

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God-botherers learn to bother less

What did you like best about The Book of Strange New Things? What did you like least?

The concept an original take on space colonisation, the result somehow parochial despite the setting.

Would you recommend The Book of Strange New Things to your friends? Why or why not?

Only to prim CofE Christians

What three words best describe Josh Cohen’s performance?

Rather matches the book

Did The Book of Strange New Things inspire you to do anything?

Avoid space travel as a get-out from worldly problems

Any additional comments?

I woke up a bit when the Italian bloke discovered, then he went back to being irrelevant to the main protagonists, pity.

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6 people found this helpful

Amazing, Sublime, insightful, fantastic!!

This book is one of the best I've had the good luck to read/listen this year.

The sci-fi element is tempered to a human element.

Amazing:)

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Josh Cohen - WOW

Excellent story, but I am actually driven to write this review to praise the narrator as much as the author. I took a chapter or two to warm to the protagonist and also the narrator, but as the story unfolded and the challenges of the language used increased, I was completely blown away by the amazing talent of Josh Cohen. I don't want to give too much away, but I was really drawn in and impressed. Excellent work. Thanks!

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Not just for sci-fi fans, a compelling human story

I bought this audiobook having previously enjoyed The Crimson Petal and the White by the same author. This book could not be more different but was also a compelling listen.

The book is set in the near future but, although staged in sci fi territory, the story is concerned with human themes: relationships, the nature of faith, belonging.

The imagined world is detailed, fascinating and convincing and will satisfy sci fi fans . The underlying human themes develop slowly and the book is a thought provoking commentary on the nature of modern human relationships and connectedness.

Credit must go to the narrator who manages the challenge of an entirely new language with great skill.

I really enjoyed this book and the issues raised remained with me long afterwards. A thought provoking and intelligent listen.

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31 people found this helpful

Good concept, a little slow

Interesting scifi. Started off quite well, but lingered a little. 'Oasian' voices a little annoying.

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