Book description
Tales of Old Earth: A Masterclass in Speculative Fiction
Michael Swanwick's "Tales of Old Earth" represents a comprehensive anthology of nineteen meticulously crafted short stories that demonstrate the author's exceptional range across the speculative fiction spectrum. This collection, curated from Swanwick's distinguished output over the preceding decade, encompasses both pure fantasy and hard science fiction, establishing itself as essential listening for aficionados of the genre.
The audiobook format proves particularly effective for Swanwick's work, as his prose possesses an inherent musicality that translates beautifully to vocal interpretation. The collection includes three Hugo Award-nominated works: "Radiant Doors," "Wild Minds," and the Hugo-winning "The Very Pulse of the Machine," each demonstrating Swanwick's capacity to explore complex themes within compact narrative structures.
Notable inclusions such as "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy-O," written specifically for this volume, showcase Swanwick's ability to blend traditional storytelling elements with contemporary speculative fiction techniques. The audiobook's presentation allows listeners to fully appreciate the author's linguistic precision and the subtle interplay between his more fantastical elements and grounded human emotions.
Bruce Sterling's introductory essay, "A User's Guide to Michael Swanwick," provides valuable context for newcomers while offering seasoned readers fresh perspectives on Swanwick's literary methodology. The collection's chronological arrangement permits listeners to trace the evolution of Swanwick's thematic preoccupations and technical mastery over the decade-spanning period.
This audiobook succeeds in delivering Swanwick's characteristic blend of intellectual rigor and imaginative exuberance, making it an indispensable addition to any speculative fiction library. The narration enhances the text's inherent qualities, rendering complex scientific concepts accessible while preserving the emotional resonance of Swanwick's more introspective pieces. "Tales of Old Earth" confirms Swanwick's position among the preeminent voices in contemporary science fiction and fantasy literature.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience