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Slan Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,438 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Jommy Cross is a slan, a genetically bred superhuman whose race was created to aid humanity but is now despised by normal humans. Slans are usually shot on sight, but that doesn’t stop Jommy’s mother from bringing him to see the world capital of Centropolis, the seat of power for Earth’s dictator, Kier Gray. But on their latest trip to Centropolis, the two slans are discovered, and Jommy’s mother is killed. Jommy, only nine years old, unwittingly becomes caught up in a plot to undermine Gray, who may be more sympathetic to slans than the public suspects. The nonstop action and root-for-the-underdog plot has made Slan a science fiction favorite.
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"Classic 1940s "Golden Age" science fiction, as written by Canadian A.E. Van Vogt. It's the future and the human race is at war with the slans. The slans are "supermen," more intelligent, stronger, faster, just better. And best of all, they are telepathic. This is the story of Jommy, who is on the run and looking to make contact with oher slans..."
— Jim (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Over fifty years on from when it first saw print, van Vogt's Slan is still one of the quintessential classics of the field that other SF novels will inevitably be measured against.”
— Charles de Lint
Slan Listener Reviews
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" Absolutely freaking timeless (the novel was written in the 40's). If not for a throw off line near the end of the book where, what essentially is a cell phone is used, this book will never be out of style. "
— Benn, 2/14/2014 -
" Aged fairly well for Golden Age scifi. "
— Sean, 2/8/2014 -
" fortunately, i read this without knowing when it was published (Don't Look!) a quick read, it is a very interesting look into classic sci-fi. "
— Jessnuss, 2/3/2014 -
" My father recommended this one to me as a predecessor to the Marvel Universe. This is pop scifi from about 80 years ago featuring a suppressed superior race. Always fun to see how scifi reflects the time in which it was written. "
— Todd, 1/30/2014 -
" Gale suggested this to me "
— Lisa, 1/18/2014 -
" It's a good book.It failed to stand the test of time,though. "
— Anrei, 1/18/2014 -
" Fans are SLANS. Classic from the 1930's. Interesting story, but a little dated now. "
— Rick, 12/13/2013 -
" Slan is one of the greats of science fiction. Reading it now it seems somewhat trite, an overly familiar plot, but that's because so many other authors copied this novel. "
— Robert, 11/8/2013 -
" I thought I had read this when I was 12 years old or thereabouts, but nothing was familiar to me when I read it today. It has not aged well. "
— Rose, 6/28/2013 -
" A classic of the 'homo superior' genre from the Golden Age of Science Fiction. One of my all time favourites "
— Roddy, 1/10/2013 -
" Classic sci fi, read it in High School first time, I wonder if I'd enjoy it as much now? "
— Shawn, 11/30/2012 -
" One of the great sci-fi books from the 70s. If you only read one book from A. E. Van Vogt, this would be the one to read. "
— doug, 6/5/2012 -
" I know this is very old, but I can't see how Slan ever received the status of an SF classic. The cookie-cutter characters only exist to try and explain the sorry excuse for a plot in unbelievably stilted fashion. Don't get me started on the ending. "
— Markus, 5/14/2012 -
" You can't tell who your friends are until the chips are down. "
— Kelly, 10/5/2011 -
" This science fiction oldie is supposed to be a seminal classic, but I didn't think it was such a big deal. "
— Chris, 9/9/2011 -
" This is a fast and exciting read, with a strong pulp feel. Possibly Van Vogt's best. "
— Chris, 7/5/2011 -
" I really liked this. It makes one wonder why our differences are so threatening and why we allow racial and cultural bias to overtake us. "
— Debi, 12/28/2010 -
" This is a fast and exciting read, with a strong pulp feel. Possibly Van Vogt's best. "
— Chris, 12/14/2010 -
" Great book about a war with tender slans and humans and only to find out its a broader war with tendeless slan and slans! "
— Eugene, 9/18/2010 -
" You can't tell who your friends are until the chips are down. "
— Kelly, 5/7/2010 -
" An optimistic little book that's relatively free of the usual painful artifacts of the time. "
— Bria, 3/30/2010 -
" fortunately, i read this without knowing when it was published (Don't Look!) a quick read, it is a very interesting look into classic sci-fi. "
— Jessnuss, 2/20/2010 -
" This book has stuck in my mind for any years. It was first published in 1940. I think it has all of the qualities of a good novel, character, plot, and it flows. "
— Kevin, 2/11/2010
About A. E. van Vogt
A. E. van Vogt (1912–2000) was a SFWA Grand Master. Part of John W. Campbell’s stable of writers for Astounding Science-Fiction magazine, van Vogt was one of the most prolific, yet complex, writers of the genre’s mid-twentieth century golden age. He is often named, along with Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein, one of the top science fiction writers of all time.
About Oliver Wyman
Oliver Wyman is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. He has won five Audie Awards from the Audio Publisher’s Association, fourteen Earphone Awards, and two Listen Up Awards from Publisher’s Weekly. He was named a 2008 Best Voice in Nonfiction & Culture by AudioFile magazine. He has appeared on stage as well as in film and television, and he is a veteran voice actor who can be heard in numerous cartoons and video games. He is one of the founders of New York City’s Collective Unconscious theater, and his performances include the award-winning “reality play” Charlie Victor Romeo and A. R. McElhinney’s cult classic film A Chronicle of Corpses.