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The Gone-Away World Audiobook
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(4.00) - 3,524 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A wildly entertaining debut novel, introducing a bold new voice that combines antic humor (think Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut) with a stunning futuristic vision (á la A Clockwork Orange and 1984, with a little Mad Max thrown in) to give us an electrifyingly original tale of love, friendship, and the apocalypse. There couldn’t be a fire along the Jorgmund Pipe. It was the last thing the world needed. But there it was, burning bright on national television. The Pipe was what kept the Livable Zone safe from the bandits, monsters, and nightmares the Go-Away War had left in its wake. The fire was a very big problem. Enter Gonzo Lubitsch and his friends, the Haulage & HazMat Emergency Civil Freebooting Company, a team of master troubleshooters who roll into action when things get particularly hot. They helped build the Pipe. Now they have to preserve it—and save humanity yet again. But this job is not all it seems. It will touch more closely on Gonzo’s life—and that of his best friend—than either of them can imagine. And it will decide the fate of the Gone-Away World. Equal parts raucous adventure, comic odyssey, geek nirvana, and ultra-cool epic, The Gone-Away World is a story of—among other things—love, pirates, mimes, greed, and ninjas. But it is also the story of a world, not unlike our own, in desperate need of heroes—however unlikely they may seem.
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"I hated every second. i loved every second. This is not usually my particular cup of tea but I read an excerpt and then needed to know what happened. This is a case where the eBook worked in the author's favor because I did not know how long this story was going to be, because I would have probably backed away, SLOWLY, when I saw the size of the actual book. There were times I wanted to give up, where I rued my own lack of imagination in that moment, but Harkaway gets you back in, he pulls you back, inch by inch, slowly. I thought I would hate the ending; I ended up loving the ending. And now, I cannot wait for Angelmaker."
— Caryn (5 out of 5 stars)
The Gone-Away World Listener Reviews
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" Once in a while a book comes along that stops me in my tracks. This is one of them. Filled with invention and beautiful writing, it's one that you must read! "
— Stephen, 1/24/2014 -
" ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ IN A LONG TIME!!! Not just another future/sci-fi/post apocalyptic venture at all. It's funny and smart and unravels the Corporate Mystery better than any business or philosophy book I've read. Read this book and remember to stay human. "
— Rebecca, 1/21/2014 -
" Like a big bowl of sugar. "
— Brett, 1/21/2014 -
" Excellent read. Ninjas, the apocalypse, politics and thrills while being funny and clever, plus a brilliant plot twist I did not see coming, despite the well laid groundwork. "
— Leah, 12/18/2013 -
" john crowley goes pop culture and mixes it up with stross and mary gentle. totally fun. (plot holes to be unpicked at one's leisure). "
— scarlettraces, 12/14/2013 -
" I totally loved this. Bogged down a bit in the middle, but was glad to get resolution to nagging questions from the beginning. Excellent writing and voice. "
— H.N., 11/30/2013 -
" Ridiculous waste of paper! A modern day attempt at Catch-22 that is practically unreadable. Save your time and money. "
— Trey, 11/23/2013 -
" Brilliant and irritating! Hopelessly self-indulgent. We can only hope he learns some discipline and control. If so, he'll be a great writer. "
— Stephen, 6/16/2013 -
" Harkaway's debut impressed me enormously. It's a exuberant, hysterical, genre-hopping potential classic. Yes, it's digressive, and there are a few false notes, but that's part of the book's charm. Highly recommended to anyone who thinks there should be more ninjas in contemporary fiction. "
— John, 4/19/2013 -
" The best quantum-disaster novel I've ever read. Very much in the British-humor Adams/Pratchett vein. "
— Michael, 4/7/2013 -
" I love this book! It's clever and funny. "
— Ryan, 3/31/2013 -
" Hands down, the best science fiction book I have ever read or probably ever will read. "
— David, 2/21/2013 -
" Nothing like I was expecting from the first chapter but still an enjoyable read. "
— Rob, 7/19/2012 -
" Wow--Brilliant post-apocalypse sci fi. Gives a rendering of an apocalypse engendered by the logic of capitalism, and really has the sociology and economics of it all down. Heck, he makes reification a central notion of the book. Somehow, though, it's all funny as hell. Just great. "
— Nick, 5/9/2012 -
" An oddball structure that only starts to make sense when you're halfway through. I liked the writing style, even as it was a bit over the too at times. "
— Bill, 2/28/2012 -
" I wasn't sure this would be my cup of tea (post-apocalyptic, sci-fi novel featuring pirates, mimes and ninjas??), but after 50 pages (took a while to get into) I was hooked. At times disturbing, at times chuckle-inducing, it was wonderfully written and original throughout. "
— Ruzena, 12/17/2011 -
" Awesome! I preferred Angelmaker, but still, both were great stories. "
— Jtdaulton, 10/4/2011 -
" A piece a fiction that both a philosopher and action guru can love. "
— Marcus, 5/10/2011 -
" Very long, a lot of tangents, some of which felt a little lengthy, but incredibly imaginative and endearing. Definitely felt like an experience. "
— Nick, 4/25/2011 -
" Smart, fun, well-written in a Vonnegut-esque sort of way, and exceptionably quotable. What more could you want? "
— Hawk, 4/22/2011 -
" Get through the first bit, which will seem slow at first, but then as it builds you are hooked. When he hits you with the twist you will want to scream and destroy the book in anger. Embrace that and carry on. "
— Scott, 4/19/2011 -
" Great that the narrator on my copy is English also. Very funny fantasy book. "
— Debbie, 4/9/2011 -
" This book was really mind-bending. I only gave it 4 stars because it's too verbose for my taste - adjectives are like accessories, Mr. Harkaway; remove one before you leave the house. All the same, it was very original and otherwise well-written, once I got into it. "
— Rebecca, 3/28/2011 -
" Terribly clever and a great deal of fun. Harkaway's first novel may prove hard for him to top. Who knew that a book involving ninjas and mimes could be so fun! "
— Tom, 3/25/2011 -
" It's British, post-apocalyptic science fiction... with ninjas. Oh yeah, it has ninjas. "
— William, 3/21/2011 -
" Brilliant and irritating! Hopelessly self-indulgent. We can only hope he learns some discipline and control. If so, he'll be a great writer. "
— Stephen, 3/14/2011 -
" Am now madly in love with a book. "
— Jordan, 3/13/2011 -
" This was quite an interesting earth future/science fiction book. There are some great, fun characters about whom I found myself really caring. It's a bit grisly at times, but not too much. I found the writing a bit a la Tom Robbins, but updated. I'm eager to read more Nick Harkaway. "
— Lois, 3/7/2011
About Nick Harkaway
Nick Harkaway was born in Cornwall in 1972. He studied philosophy, sociology, and politics at Clare College, Cambridge, and then worked in the film industry. His novels include The Gone-Away World, Angelmaker, and The Blind Giant. He lives in London with his wife.
About Kirby Heyborne
Kirby Heyborne is a musician, actor, and professional narrator. Noted for his work in teen and juvenile audio, he has garnered over twenty Earphones Awards. His audiobook credits include Jesse Kellerman’s The Genius, Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother, and George R. R. Martin’s Selections from Dreamsongs.