The Reality Dysfunction cover art

The Reality Dysfunction

Night's Dawn, Book 1

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The Reality Dysfunction

By: Peter F. Hamilton
Narrated by: John Lee
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About this listen

The first in the Night's Dawn trilogy, The Reality Dysfunction is a sweeping, intergalactic adventure from the master of space opera, Peter F. Hamilton. For fans of Iain M. Banks and Alastair Reynolds.

An extinct race named this phenomenon 'the Reality Dysfunction'. It is a nightmare that has haunted us since the dawn of time . . .

In AD 2600, the human race is finally realizing its potential. The galaxy’s colonized planets host a multitude of diverse cultures. Genetic engineering has defeated disease and produced extraordinary space-born creatures. Huge fleets of sentient trader starships thrive, living on the wealth created by industrializing entire star systems. And throughout inhabited space, the Confederation Navy keeps the peace.

Then something goes catastrophically wrong. On a primitive colony planet, a renegade criminal encounters an utterly alien entity. And this unintended meeting triggers the release of those that should never see the light – threatening everything we’ve become . . .

The Reality Dysfunction is followed by The Neutronium Alchemist and The Naked God.

©2016 Peter F. Hamilton (P)2016 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd. Adventure Genetic Engineering Military Science Fiction Space Opera Space Fiction Genetics Interstellar

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Critic reviews

'Hamilton puts British sci-fi back into interstellar overdrive' – The Times
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I've rated the performance as average. The reading is very good but the chapters are 90 minutes long, containing multiple viewpoints, and it is virtually 90 minutes of non stop talking, which makes it very difficult to follow.
The story is good, though even with the lack of pauses between viewpoint transitions feels around 10 hours too long to me, considering the fact that it really is just the first third of a story, unlike some other trilogies that are all stories of their own that tie together.
Hamilton does offer the time to build a very interesting world though filled with flawed heroes and some likable villains (as well as some truly detestable ones)

Overall, worth the listen though. I'm looking forward to seeing if my theory about what links the "visitors" is correct, and the book has woven a lot of loose ends to continue on in the remaining books.

Good with some small buts

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It feels like a lot of work in places but it's worth it. After 30 hours I can't wait to start the next book.

Be prepared to get stuck in

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I first purchased this book, tried it, but couldn’t get past the narrator over narrating the first few chapters. It was like he was over emphasising EVERY word needlessly! I couldn’t face 50 hours of that! I returned the book and got a refund.

One day I noticed it was still in my library, despite the credit being refunded. I was between books so I gave it another go, after all if not paid for it!

This time I got past the beginning and into the book. The story is good, I’d call it rich with background detail, and the narrator turned out to be very good as time passed. However the story dawdles and hangs overly long at dull points that don’t really end up having much to do with the main plot. Too many characters come, go, and are (so far to best of my knowledge) meaningless in the over arching plot. It can wear you out trying to keep track.

Add to this the editing is terrible with no discernible gap between chapters the story feels like it’s jumping all over at times.

That all said. I did enjoy the story, and it’s a true grandiose space opera for sure! I love the authors imagination of life in space and the tech and people’s.

Give it a try, it can be hard going at times, but I enjoyed it ultimately. I now learn its part of a whole series! But I might need a rest before I start the next one!

Stick with it!

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Great clarity of enunciation. Very easy to listen to and fantastic value for money in my opinion. Getting access to such a fantastic unabridged story for one credit is amazing.

Epic space saga well told.

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I always enjoy John Lee's perfect diction, even when walking in the wind he is easily understood. A great story but sometimes the detail included for background information is rather long and, well, excessive.

Worth persevering with the detail.

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I've read the book twice and have now listened to it , it never gets old

awesome space opera

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Finished all of Iain M Banks' culture series books on audio with amazing narration by Peter Kenny... needed to find the next epic listen for my hours on the north circular.
Hamilton spins a mean yarn, plenty going on and lots of concentration needed, but I enjoyed the books despite, rather than because of John Lee's narration... He seems to read as if performing a Shakespearean soliloquy, and just doesn't have the same depth of characterisation that Kenny has reading Banks.
But the most annoying thing is in the edit, where absolutely no pause is left between the chapter subsections. I'll persevere with the second book but it's a shame that the narration and editing take away from the complex story

Not a patch on Banks and Kenny

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Read this many years ago and just coming back to it fire the first time.

While it is very interesting and a novel concept it is weak is comparison to his later work. In my opinion or could loss 25% and be better for it.

Some great charecters especially the habitats and ships. Joshua makes me think of Han Solo which is no bad thing.

Good but overly long.

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You pause and change tone at a new paragraph, yes I spent 9 years L.A.M.D.A. trained but I'm talking about lessons learned sight reading at primary school aged seven. Power, pace, pitch and PAUSE. You can have as many clear vowel sounds and crisp constants as you like but the whole thing is a disaster if you inflected away with out a new thought behind a new thread of the story. So, that is John Lee done with now how on Earth did that performance get passed for publication! I have heard far better amateur readings on Libravox. This is truly awful and needs to be withdrawn and re-read.

Great story ruined by poor reader/editor

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Great sci fi story drawing you into the lives of the various characters. Highly recommend.

Addictive Sci Fi

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