- Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Baen Books; Reprint edition (Jun 15 1999)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 067157812X
- ISBN-13: 978-0671578121
- Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 10.6 x 2.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 118 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,146,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Library Journal
This recording, based on a Nebula Award-winning sf novel, centers on the moral dilemmas created when a bioengineered breed of humanoid workers are considered capital assets. The narration is shared between Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan, who handle the male and female roles, respectively. The narrators attempt to give each character a unique voice, and although they succeed, the subtle nuances of a single reader are absent. Perhaps more disturbing is the lack of messages instructing the listener on such things as when to turn the cassette over and when to insert a new cassette. The packaging is also a problem, as this reviewer cut his finger on two separate occasions while trying to extract a cassette. Regrettably, not recommended.?Ray Vignovich, West Des Moines P.L., Ia.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
A good audiotaped version of the unabridged Bujold novel. Bujold's best work in my opinion. -- Science Fiction Chronicle, July 1996
Bujold's literary style is militaristic, scientific and well suited to the audio format. As narrated by Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan (he does the male points of view, she the female) the characters are lent a strength and presence they might not legitimately have in print alone.
Bujold's literary style is militaristic, scientific and well suited to the audio format. As narrated by Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan (he does the male points of view, she the female) the characters are lent a strength and presence they might not legitimately have in print alone.
Like the slogan on the cassette box says, Falling Free is a "good story well told." Hints of what it might be like living in null-G are well-integrated into the plot, and the story itself arises fairly believably out of mostly-believable characters.
I'd never before experienced a book on audiotape. I was doubtful of the enjoyableness of the experience, but am now a complete convert. It's a great, rewarding medium, and not just for folks with eyestrain. -- Science Fiction Weekly, June 1996
Enhanced by a dual narration by Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan, this unabridged science fiction thriller is remarkably engrossing. -- Reviewer's Bookwatch, July 1996
First I want to tell you that the awards you have received are well deserved! NOBODY can tell a good story like Carol and Michael. The performances are exactly on par, if not better than, the works of art that are read. Audio book companies should place THE READER'S CHAIR as their goal. -- M. P., 8/1/98
I am anxiously awaiting the release of Lois McMaster Bujold's "The Vor Game". I have listened to "Barrayar" and "Warriors Apprentice" -- loved them both; and have just ordered "Falling Free" and "Shards of Honor". Thank you for supplying such a superior product! -- glaboy, 03/05/98
Michael Hanson's and Carol Cowan's narrative talents mesh nicely, creating distinctive voices for the Nebula Award-winning novel's characters through pacing, tone of voice and emotional shading. This production shows dual narrators can enrich the listening experience. -- AudioFile, Nov/Dec 1996
The performance of Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan in this Nebula Award-winning novel is the kind of work you would like to hear with all audiobooks. These two readers among the best of the current crop of narrators. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 6, 1996
The story and interpretations are great. -- KLIATT, November 1996
The unique format, in which Hanson takes on all the male roles and Cowan the female, is very effective. The story itself is an exciting and imaginative science fiction tale. Highly recommended. -- Billboard Magazine, July 27, 1996
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An earlier look at Bujold's universe, and highly enjoyable,
By
This review is from: Falling Free (Mass Market Paperback)
There are those who consider this below Bujold's usual standard, but I found it quite a fun novel with several highly sensitive sequences, and therefore give it five stars. It is a story to relax and enjoy, not overly analyze. It takes place 200 years before the Vorkosigan stories, and follows Leo Graf, an engineer sent to the planet Rodeo to be a welding instructor to the genetically altered Quaddies. He immediately discovers an attitude on the part of the administrators on the planet toward these mutated beings, but takes them as they are, a human species most of whom are still developing youngsters. This is primarily an adventure story with well developed human and mutated human characters. There are tender scenes such as that between Silver who's deeply attuned to music and Madame Minchenko, the project physician's wife who also is deeply musically inclined. But there's also plenty of action, and the underlying plea for respect for all forms of life. Read for enjoyment and I think you'll quite appreciate it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Visionary Space Adventure,
By
This review is from: Falling Free (Mass Market Paperback)
Richly deserves the Nebula award it received. A true space adventure with superior imagination, original thinking, characterization, psychology, and insight into motivations. Without ever directly mentioning philosophic issues of ethics, natural rights, political rights, justice, individual responsibility, or what makes a human a human, Bujold shows you all of these issues in the actions of the characters. Seemingly without effort. That is great writing. She makes you think simply as part of reading a great, visionary adventure. Here are some of the insights, not necessarily original, that Bujold illustrates even though she does not state them explicitly. Intelligent beings, however genetically engineered, cannot be molded. They will be individuals, not subordinate parts of a collective. They will necessarily develop through the process of everyday living their own psychologies, goals, and choices suited to their natures as humans. Everyone might be considered a degree of mutant in the sense that we all have different genetics, though the term is intended for more than usually significant differences. Even so, the degree of difference required is somewhat subjective and has no inherent moral significance. Love and sexual attraction are responses to values and virtues seen, or imagined, in others, not simply biological chemistry. The concept of justice includes natural rights and freedom for intelligent beings regardless of their political affiliation or designation. Neither justice nor natural right of freedom necessarily ensures any political protection against violation of your freedom or life by others. Thus, responsibility for providing for oneself (food, self-defense, etc.) is both a natural right and an obligation. People have the power to make, and are responsible for, their own choices and actions. My favorite insight points out that life is a process of effort and achievement -- tasks suitable to humans. No problems only occurs with death. "...don't be afraid of troubles, Silver. They're a sign of life."
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun sci-fi adventure with some deeper philosophical issues,
By Aimee "reader extraordinaire" (Athens, GA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Falling Free (Mass Market Paperback)
I absolutely love Lois McMaster Bujold; she is one of my all-time favorite authors. But one of the problems I have with recommending her books is that I don't know where to start! It's hard to find the beginning of her Vorkosigan series. Falling Free, although not really part of the series, is the chronological beginning and a good introduction to LMB. In this book (as with all her books), she combines intelligence, humor, drama, and a touch of philosophy and blends them into a rollicking, quick-moving adventure story. This particular novel also has some good, hard science-fictional ideas, ideas which I found fascinating.
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