Play Audiobook Sample
Luminarium Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.03) - 415 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Fred Brounian and his twin brother, George, were once co-CEOs of a New York City software company devoted to the creation of utopian virtual worlds. Now, in 2006, as two wars rage and the fifth anniversary of 9/11 approaches, George is in a coma, control of the company has been wrenched away by a military contracting conglomerate, and Fred is broke. Near despair, he's led by an attractive woman, Mira, to a neurological study promising "peak" experiences and a newfound spiritual outlook on life. As the study progresses, lines between subject and experimenter blur, and reality becomes increasingly porous. Meanwhile, Fred finds himself caught up in what seems at first a cruel prank: a series of bizarre emails and texts that purport to be from his comatose brother. Moving between the research hospitals of Manhattan, the streets of a meticulously planned Florida city, the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, and the uncanny world of urban disaster simulation; threading through military listserv geek-speak, Hindu cosmology, the maxims of outmoded self-help books, and the latest neuro-scientific breakthroughs, Luminarium is a brilliant exploration of the way we live now, a novel that's as much about the role technology and spirituality play in shaping our reality as it is about the undying bond between brothers, and the redemptive possibilities of love.
Download and start listening now!
"I had trouble getting into this book at first. The technology aspect might not be for everyone and isn't something I usually gravitate towards. I did start getting more and more into it as I went along, at times having trouble with what was reality and what was not. It shows the strong bond of love between brothers, among a dysfunctional but functioning family. The love and difficulty of letting someone go. And then moving on. In the end I did really enjoy it."
— Tammy (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
-
A 2011 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction
-
A 2011 Washington Post Notable Book for Fiction
-
A 2011 Book Sense Pick
-
A 2011 Publishers Weekly Best Book for Fiction
-
A 2011 Booklist Best Book for Fiction
-
A 2011 Kansas City Star Top 100 Book for Fiction
Luminarium Listener Reviews
-
" This book blew me away. It's creative in a way that is just astounding. The premise is huge. "
— Meredith, 2/15/2014 -
" The author's solid knowledge of Eastern religion, specifically Hinduism, is cleverly married to the theme of transcendental experiences brought on by experimental new technology. Add to this the personal and professional crisies of the protagonist and the overall character-driven nature of the plot, and you have a dense but very engaging read. "
— Jason, 2/7/2014 -
" A lot of theorizing on the convergence of technology and faith and religion and the internet, so the ideas were interesting, but the actual plot and characters were less so. "
— Jennifer, 1/22/2014 -
" Didn't get what all the fuss was about...kept waiting for the big revelation, but it never came. "
— Aleah, 1/14/2014 -
" So well written with a compelling plot line. One of those books that after you close it after a session of reading, you can't shake this strange feeling. It requires your attention but also rewards you for it. "
— Nancy, 1/13/2014 -
" Luminarium gets off to a very promising start and has lots of interesting ideas kicking around, but sputters to, I felt, an ultimately not-quite-satisfying conclusion. I don't know exactly what a satisfying conclusion to this story would've been. I'd still recommend it as an absolutely worthwhile, though-provoking read. "
— Joe, 12/17/2013 -
" I was very interested to see where this was going to go, but felt a little let down by the end... one of those reads that I couldn't put down. "
— Marc, 12/1/2013 -
" In my new top ten of all time. "
— Whitney, 10/25/2013 -
" Really wanted to like this one more than I did. But there were just too many strange and unconnected things that I didn't "get" so much. Oh well. "
— Brian, 12/22/2012 -
" One of the most interesting novels I have ever read. I had to go back and re-read whole sections when I finished it. "
— Eduardo, 6/4/2012 -
" fun if a bit tidy-widy "
— Matt, 1/5/2012 -
" Well, I am stuck here on bedrest and my proxy brought me this from the library. I call it a poor man's Murikami. Speaking of which, I need the new Murikami - NOW! "
— Stuart, 11/4/2011 -
" One of my favorite contemporary writers. This is a compelling, challenging, and very funny novel. See my review in the October issue of the Texas Observer. "
— David, 10/5/2011 -
" Not sure why people say this is a hard read. Maybe it's existential, but it's also very entertaining and well written. "
— Ryan, 9/15/2011
About Alex Shakar
Alex Shakar’s novel The Savage Girl was selected as a New York Times Notable Book and a Book Sense 76 Pick. His story collection City in Love was selected as an Independent Presses Editors Pick of the Year. A native of Brooklyn, New York, he currently lives in Chicago with his wife, the composer Olivia Block.
About Charles Carroll
Charles Carroll is an actor and voice-over artist residing in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He is an avid film buff and stays active in the local film community.