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Bimbos of the Death Sun Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,289 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Edgar Award-winning author Sharyn McCrumb brings her storytelling talent and keen eye for satire to this hilarious spoof of the bizarre culture surrounding sci-fi/fantasy fandom. It all takes place at Rubicon, the science fiction and fantasy convention of your nightmares. Join the merriment, as medieval fantasy characters, tech geeks, and role playing gamers take over an innocent hotel for a weekend of nerdy, misfit fun. Just when you think things can't get any wilder, the guest of honor-gnome-like giant of fantasy literature Appin Dungannon-is murdered. But who wouldn't want to kill Appin Dungannon? The celebrity sword-and-sorcery writer is a dedicated prima donna who's gone out of his way to offend his fawning fans. Lt. Ayhan has to find out which of the troubled trekkies, buxom bimbos, and fiendish elves has actually done Dungannon in. Luckily, he has help. With Ruth Ann Phimister's perfect comic delivery adding just the right zing, when you're not snickering to yourself, you'll be laughing out loud.
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"Under the pseudonym Jay Omega, Dr. James Owen Mega has written a science fiction book about one of his theories. He's dismayed to find that the publisher has given it the title Bimbos of the Death Sun and put a buxom babe in a fur bikini on the cover. Still, he wants to promote the book and has the chance to do so at a science fiction convention. He's accompanied by his colleague (and girlfriend) English professor Dr. Marion Farley. There is a murder, but most of the "action" is observations of Trekkers, D & D fans, elf weddings, and people who wear t-shirts that say things like "God is Dead and I Want His Job." A book so loaded with pop culture could easily have become dated, but the personalities (and some of their obsessions) have stayed funny long past 1987."
— Sarah (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“I loved Bimbos of the Death Sun…Beautifully observed, funny, nicely constructed, even compassionate.”
— Robert Silverberg
Awards
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Winner of the 1988 Edgar Allan Poe Award
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Nominated for the 1988 Anthony Award
Bimbos of the Death Sun Listener Reviews
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" Couldn't resist the title. Besides, it's a good read. "
— Dee, 1/30/2014 -
" this is possibly the best book ever written. it's a murder mystery set at a science fiction convention. it is a total nerdfest. there are a lot of puns. there's also a sequel called 'zombies of the genepool', buts that's not as good. "
— Joanna, 1/29/2014 -
" Entertaining parody of sci-fi conventions from the late 80s. Nominally a mystery, there isn't much mystery to it, but it was enjoyable none-the-less. For the most part it didn't seem too dated, until you got to the computer and e-mail references. Then it was instant flashback to the past. "
— PastAllReason, 1/28/2014 -
" Famous fantasy author is killed at a sci-fi/fantasy con! Hilarious! Loved it. :) "
— Amy, 1/7/2014 -
" Not quite as funny as I remembered when I reread it recently, but still quite good. Love the introduction with the story as to how it came to be! Sharyn McCrumb is a wonderful author, and I will be introducing a friend to her work soon... "
— Elaine, 12/18/2013 -
" Read it on the plane. Not a great book, but I really like books and movies about sci fi fans, and this one had lots of details about Dungeons and Dragons and Star Trek singalongs and that kind of fun stuff. "
— Layne, 12/17/2013 -
" I am normally very apathetic about the Mystery genre, but this one was pretty great. McCrumb hits the nerds-at-a-nerd-convention nail on the head PERFECTLY. Funny stuff. "
— Andy, 12/15/2013 -
" LOL, and lol again omg fun read "
— Bookwyrm13, 12/12/2013 -
" A murder mystery at a science fiction convention...references to obscure geeky things...a truly awful title...what more could you want! "
— Kelsey, 11/11/2013 -
" As good as its title. "
— Ghoover318, 10/6/2013 -
" She either did her research well or has been to sci-fi/fantasy conventions aplenty. A light, fun whodunit. "
— Athena, 8/6/2013 -
" Usually a writer of mysteries set in the Appalachian Mountains, McCrumb takes a risk here by stepping out of her element. I don't think it worked out well. I expected funny, and got dull. "
— Donna, 1/26/2013 -
" I laughed to tears with how accurate it was over the usual fandom subjects one sees at a convention. "
— Lisa, 9/7/2012 -
" A great mystery! Definitely worth reading. Even if it's just to say that you've read a book titled "Bimbos of the Death Sun." :) "
— Lucia, 7/28/2012 -
" Fun and tightly written little satire of the fantasy and SF convention scene. "
— Allan, 7/7/2012 -
" 1/2 star. Book group selection that I thought was a waste of time. "
— Deb, 6/20/2012 -
" I love Sharyn McCrumb! This is one of 2 books that she wrote about an English prof. who "solves crime". Plus it is a hilarious depiction of a Sci-fi con...so that's fun. Nothing weighty here, and a real departure from her Spencer Arrowood/Nora Bonesteel books. "
— Gwennie, 4/19/2012 -
" Love it! So funny and true. A very good example of the fish out of water genre on so many levels. The mystery is good too. "
— Laura, 4/8/2012 -
" I laughed until I cried. "
— Bonnie, 2/1/2012 -
" Less sleuthy than I would have expected of a murder mystery, but an entertaining romp overall. Good pacing, consistently amusing, and well-written. It's a talented author that's able to poke fun at characters reminiscent of you and your friends - and still make you laugh. "
— Rachel, 8/28/2011 -
" This send-up of the sci-fi/fantasy conventions is just funny, if you like those genres and get amused by those who take them just a bit too seriously. It's a pretty good murder mystery, too. "
— Kyrie, 8/22/2011 -
" Not great literature but if you've ever been to a sci-fi/fantasy convention of any kind, you'll have fun reading this book. "
— Sam, 6/30/2011 -
" Murder mystery set at an SF Con? Brilliant! "
— Edward, 5/15/2011 -
" As much as I loved her Ballard series, liked her Elizabeth McPherson series, I could not stand this series-too weird. "
— JoDee, 4/1/2011 -
" A pretty funny satire of a sci-fi con, I imagine. But then I've never been to one. Overall an enjoyable quick read. "
— Lin, 3/20/2011 -
" Still one of the best books Sharyn McCrumb ever wrote. I considered having a signed copy a treasure. If you have not read this, do yourself a favor and do so. "
— Ron, 3/3/2011 -
" i did not understand it much for i was quite young when i read this book (12, probably) but still found it ridiculous..=) "
— Cosmofiesta, 2/28/2011 -
" great mystery and a fun read. However, it's a rather severe spoof of SF fandom and as a SF fan, I'm uncomfortable enough about that to give it four stars rather than five. "
— Leigh, 2/16/2011 -
" Not great literature but if you've ever been to a sci-fi/fantasy convention of any kind, you'll have fun reading this book. "
— Sam, 1/14/2011 -
" Just my brand of sci-mystifi giggles. Or so it was half a decade ago. There might have been whiskey involved. "
— Beckett, 12/28/2010 -
" sorry, just couldn't get through it... "
— Patti, 7/8/2010 -
" An amusing story - the computer references are out dated, made me feel a bit old because I remembered back then -- Love the references to the scifi con, sadly I've been there. "
— Angela, 4/16/2010
About Sharyn McCrumb
Sharyn McCrumb is the New York Times bestselling author of The Rosewood Casket, She Walks These Hills, The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter, If I Ever Return, and many more acclaimed novels. Her books have been named Notable Books of the Year by the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, and she has been honored for Outstanding Contribution to Appalachian Literature. Her awards include Best Appalachian Novel, the Agatha, and the Anthony as well as the Edgar Award and the Nero Award. McCrumb is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, and holds an MA in English from Virginia Tech.
About Ruth Ann Phimister
Ruth Ann Phimister has appeared off Broadway and in numerous regional productions, including Life with Father with Robert Reed. She has also worked in television, film, and commercial voice-over.