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The Martian Child: A Novel about a Single Father Adopting a Son Audiobook
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(3.31) - 26 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Gerrold, a science fiction writer from California, adopts a son who has been classified as "unadoptable" due to his violent emotional outbursts resulting from abuse. Another side-effect of his turbulent early years is that he believes himself to be a Martian. Gerrold begins the long, involving work of trying to earn the acceptance of Dennis, a hyperactive eight-year-old who desperately wants a father's love, but is so insecure he feels he must be an alien. Gerrold's recounting of the first two years with Dennis ends with the climax of Dennis running away and waiting in a city park at night for the flying saucers to come and reclaim him. Funny, endearing, and at times, heartbreaking, this is a beautifully written testament to fatherhood.
This book is semiautobiographical. Gerrold did adopt a son, but he heard about a boy who thought he was a Martian from another adoptive father.
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"I enjoyed reading this, but I have no interest in the movie. A large part of the book was about the fact that Gerrold is gay -- and how that affected his search for a child and relationship with his son. That was changed in the movie, making it much less interesting to me. "
— Martha (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“[Gerrold] relates a personal story with poetic license, humor, imagination, and love. Experienced reader Brick does a wonderful job portraying the author who finds himself as he finds his son.”
— Kliatt -
“Neurotically charming and funny.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Brick is surprisingly effective as Dennis, the young boy, speaking with a convincing nonchalance that gives way to rage. Brick brings listeners along even as Gerrold begins to believe his son actually could be an alien.”
— AudioFile -
“The heart-searing moments are many but never overwritten, thanks to Gerrold’s bright, efficient exposition.”
— Booklist
Awards
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Winner of the 1995 Hugo Award for Best Novelette
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Winner of the 1995 Nebula Award for Best Novelette
The Martian Child Listener Reviews
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" The whole time I read this, I felt someone was telling me a story through email (not a professional writer). It was too casually written and most of the time I was waiting for something to happen. It was ok, but not terribly impressive. "
— Erren, 4/25/2011 -
" Interesting...I think I'm going to like the movie better. "
— Lonnie, 3/24/2011 -
" Very touching story. Plays out much better than the film adaptation did, and really puts you in touch with the characters. Also, a good, quick spaghetti recipe. "
— Mike, 1/30/2011 -
" This won the Hugo and Nebula? I guess not much good was published that year. "
— Susan, 1/5/2011 -
" Loved this book! Wonderful story of a father who won't stop loving his son, no matter what. After reading this, I have started telling my daughter every single day that she is my favourite kid in the whole wide world. Thanks for the inspiration, Mr. Gerrold! "
— Laura, 11/11/2010 -
" Read this because I saw the movie. Wasn't aware that the father was homo-sexual which bothered me a little. It was only mentioned a few times which was good. <br/>There was also some language in this book which was hard to skip over sometimes. "
— Loriann, 9/21/2010 -
" A good story about relationships and creating family. "
— Amanda, 9/8/2010 -
" I don't know, the end seemed kind of lame. "
— Sherril, 8/16/2010 -
" This is the first time i can say "I think I would like the movie better than the book"...... "
— Jodie, 5/27/2010 -
" A single gay man adopts an eight-year-old boy who has already been through many foster homes and at least one group home. How do you convince a child who has been disappointed so many times that your love is real and your commitment unequivocal? "
— Missmath144, 5/22/2010 -
" Amazing. Makes me want to adopt! "
— Bridget, 5/6/2010 -
" A single man's quest to adopt an "unadoptable" little boy. "
— Aspasia, 1/27/2010
About David Gerrold
David Gerrold is the author of the Hugo and Nebula Award-nominated The Man Who Folded Himself, When Harlie Was One, and the Chtorr, Dingillian, and Star Wolf series. He also wrote “The Trouble with Tribbles” episode of Star Trek, which was voted the most popular Star Trek episode of all time. He lives in Northridge, California.
About Scott Brick
Scott Brick, an acclaimed voice artist, screenwriter, and actor, has performed on film, television, and radio. He attended UCLA and spent ten years in a traveling Shakespeare company. Passionate about the spoken word, he has narrated a wide variety of audiobooks. winning won more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards and several of the prestigious Audie Awards. He was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine and the Voice of Choice for 2016 by Booklist magazine.