It was a miracle of science that permitted human beings to live, if not forever then for a long, long time. Some people, anyway. The rich, the powerful, they lived their lives at the rate of one year every ten. Somec created two societies: that of people who lived out their normal span and died, and those who slept away the decades, skipping over the intervening years and events. It allowed great plans to be put into motion. It allowed interstellar empires to be built. It came near to destroying humanity.
After eons of decadence and stagnation, a few seed ships were sent out to save our species. Each carried human embryos, supplies, teaching robots, and one man. The Worthing Saga is the story of one of these men, Jason Worthing, and the world he found for the seed he carried.
This is a full cast recording, with an afterword read by Orson Scott Card.
Download and start listening now!
"Orson Scott Card is an exceptional storyteller. Worthing Saga is actually a merging of a few stories of OSC's that fit in the same universe so to speak, and its actually s particular short story that landed this one on my favorites list. Really you could put 60% or so of OSC's work on my favorites shelf, but that would just obstruct."
— Chris (5 out of 5 stars)
“A gripping story…Even though the book is decades old, it could pass for being written this year. Technology advances, but relationships and moral dilemmas are timeless, and both are Mr. Card’s stock in trade.”
— SFFAudio“Brick performs with his usual enthusiasm and engagement.”
— AudioFile“Brick maintains his interest and enthusiasm throughout.”
— Kliatt" This is a book about Jason Worthing, the world he came from, and his descendants, told in three parts (a compilation of previously published work by Card and a few previously unpublished stories). The first part, The Worthing Chronicle, is a novel by itself - and I found it interesting but a little hard to trudge through (it took me a week to read 280 pages). I really enjoyed the second part, Tales From the Capitol, which explores the backgrounds of some characters met in The Worthing Chronicle and delves further into the world Worthing escaped. The final part, Tales From the Forest of Waters, consists of three alternate versions of stories told in The Worthing Chronicle, and by this point I couldn't wait for the book to be over. I didn't really enjoy the first two and while the third redeemed the section, it still wasn't as compelling as the Capitol stories. "
— Britney, 2/16/2014" I have reached new levels of nerdery. I am really liking the fantasy stories from Card. This was my second nerd fest and I gotta tell you, this was fun and interesting to read. I really like the complex story lines that overlap - he is just a great storyteller. "
— Dan, 2/16/2014" Jumping through time to see the progress of man makes us less human. "
— Nick, 2/9/2014" One of my "if you were stranded on a desert island..." choices. "
— Mairead, 2/7/2014" I like the style of writing, but I couldn't finish this one. There is quite a bit of violence and I had a hard time with a made up theology. I just couldn't wade through it any more. "
— Brekke, 2/1/2014" this was my first introduction to the Worthing saga I have not listened to any of the previously published stories. I thought it was an interesting arrangement and it was nice to hear about the authors progression of the stories overtime. stories did have a bit of a biblical overtone. "
— Jannell, 1/30/2014" This has three separate books in it. I read the first one. It is a book I read long ago that really impacted me. It was not as impactful this time, probably because I'm much older now, but I still really enjoyed reading this story again. "
— Andrea, 1/15/2014" I read this on the recommendation of a colleague that read 'Hot Sleep' years ago. I guess I enjoyed the 'Tales Of Capitol' better than the headline story. "
— Waltor, 1/9/2014" This is probably the best scifi/fantasy type book I've ever read. No elves or dwarves or anything, just a fantastic story that spans what seems to be several thousand years, but told in a way that any scifi or fantasy reader can enjoy. It defenitly deserves more than just 5 stars. "
— Nathan, 1/8/2014" This is one of my all time favorite science fiction novels. I am looking for a copy of it to re-read it this summer -- anyone have one to sell/swap? "
— Monica, 1/4/2014" Card's first, and in some ways best published work. "
— Paul, 12/23/2013" Interesting book...some of Orson Scott Card's typical hallmarks...but this saga didn't resonate with me as well as the Ender books, or the Ships of Earth. It's a "Sci-fi" series, but it's more about how people interact with each other, build each other up, and of course, destroy each other. "
— Brendan, 12/17/2013" A collection of stories by Orson Scott Card, including some very early work. Not nearly as brilliant as the Ender Saga but still darn good sci-fi. "
— Lesley, 12/15/2013" The story of people who can read others minds and the fear this causes in others - how one called Jason lived with this - a concept that is true to life and shows up concerns all can feel. "
— Kate, 11/19/2013" This book was amazing, this is setup like your typical frame story; a story going on in the "present" about the characters telling stories from their past. This book truly has an epic scope, it spans several thousand years and the concept of some of the stories is quite interesting. "
— Brandon, 7/20/2013" I love the way Orson Scott Card paints a scene. You can't help but feel for the characters and know them deeply. "
— Leslie, 7/14/2013" This is a classic set of short stories surrounding the character of Worthing. Written over a 14 year span they pre date the Ender's Game books and are some of his first most popular books. Very imaginative and I expect to revisit this book several more times in the future. "
— Graham, 6/5/2013" this is one of those books that still sits in my head 2 years after i read it. i started reading the story and was totally captured by its immensity. "
— Sally, 11/16/2012" This one's on my top 5 - it will blow your mind "
— Laurenlhorsley, 7/19/2012" Absolutely wonderful, I bought this when I was early for a flight in an airport terminal bookstore...quite large... Since I greatly enjoy Card's writing style I snatched it up as an alternative to one more of the "Xenophobia" series. One of my friends tells me to thank fate hahaha. "
— Nicholas, 6/2/2012" Society will always be looking for a way to expand and cheat death. "
— Taylor, 1/6/2012" Interesting read, but I lost interest and only got half way. "
— Marsha, 5/21/2011" Not my favorite by Card, but it's still by Card, which means it's pretty darn fabulous even at the worst of times. "
— Amy, 5/16/2011" I love the way Orson Scott Card paints a scene. You can't help but feel for the characters and know them deeply. "
— Leslie, 4/24/2011" A pretty crazy book, I liked it, definitely an epic tail of mischief and mayhem "
— Eric, 1/31/2011" I really like this book a lot. This book offers a great allegory of the Plan of Salvation. I highly recommend. "
— Jeffrey, 12/29/2010" Orson Scott Card's answer to the question: "Why does God allow pain?" One of his 5 best books. "
— Chris, 11/29/2010" Lots of different types of stories in this book, with Card's usual keen insight into human nature. Very enjoyable read. "
— Anita, 10/27/2010" So interesting. The concept of living for hundreds of years. I love the way card writes. I wish there was more about Abner Doon and Jason. It was an interesting rrelationship. "
— Whitny, 9/13/2010Orson Scott Card, the author of the New York Times bestseller Ender’s Game, has won several Hugo and Nebula awards for his works of speculative fiction. His Ender novels are widely read by adults and younger readers and are increasingly used in schools. Besides these and other science fiction novels, Card writes contemporary fantasy, American-frontier fantasy, biblical novels, poetry, plays, and scripts.