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Sphere

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Sphere

Written by: Michael Crichton
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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About this listen

“Ingenious and beguiling.” - Time

“Crichton keeps us guessing at every turn in his best work since The Andromeda Strain.” - Los Angeles Times

Sphere may be Crichton’s best novel, but even if it ranked only second or third, it would be a must for suspense fans.” - Miami Herald

A classic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Crichton, Sphere is a bravura demonstration of what he does better than anyone: riveting storytelling that combines frighteningly plausible, cutting-edge science and technology with pulse-pounding action and serious chills. The gripping story of a group of American scientists sent to the ocean floor to investigate an alien ship, only to confront a terrifying discovery that defies imagination, Sphere is Crichton prime - truly masterful fiction from the ingenious mind that brought us Prey, State of Fear, and Jurassic Park.

Sphere was made into a film directed by Barry Levinson, which starred Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, and Samuel L. Jackson.

©1987 by CrichtonSun LLC. (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.
Adventure Fantasy Fiction Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Technothrillers Thriller Exciting Scary Suspense Habitat
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What the critics say

"A page-turner with oomph.... Crichton's writing is cinematic, with powerful visual images and nonstop action." --Newsweek

What listeners say about Sphere

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Much better than the movie

Excellent story and narrator. Was listening with every available moment . The movie pales by comparison but that is true for most movies compared to the books they are from

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

what a suspense!

loved every minute of it! would have like a sequel! good book and good reader

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

OK

It is an interesting audiobook to listen to; however, I think that I expected something like Jurassic Park. A bit confusing as well… I do not want to say more because of spoilers. Kelly

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

I loved every bit of this book! Not a huge sci-fi fan but this kept me captivated. I truly couldn’t put it down at all. Loved it so much! Would highly recommend to anyone in search of a good paranormal/ sci-fi book. The writing style is well done and intellectual as well. Hard to get into a good story when the writing is mediocre. But this- hands down one of my favourite books this year 🤗

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Arrrgg

This was one of the most frustrating listens I have had for a while. No better than the movie. I writing Michael Crichton off.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good narration

It could’ve been half as long and very interesting. I found it, dragged out, going over the same subjects over and over again. Is

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story, fun ending

Good narration performance, subtle but distinct characters. Super fun story with a great twist at the end.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great SciFi Suspense

This is one of Crichton's better thrillers. It has the signature combination of Science and Action his writing is known for - without the overly technical components of the story that this author frequently allows to overwhelm his narrative. The plot follows a team of scientists rushed to the South Pacific to investigate an anomalous object found on the sea floor by a crew laying trans-Pacific cable. Using this plot device, Crichton weaves a surprisingly involved tale looking.. ultimately.. at personality conflicts - human and otherwise. It shifts from a typical science fiction story with action elements into a psychological battle of wits and a metaphysical exploration that is fascinating. The setting is unique (2000 ft under the surface), the descriptions are vivid, and the twists and turns are engrossing. The most noticeable flaw in the writing is how unlikable the characters are. First, these robotically flawed characters make for unrealistic dialogue (I found myself wondering at times if Crichton's characters - purportedly world-class scientists - were even rational.. healthy human beings don't behave that way). Second, populating the scenario with a bunch of self-serving jerks and egomaniacs diminishes somewhat the tension Crichton is so obviously striving for - I found myself not caring what happens to them.

Scott Brick turns in a great performance in this one. Anyone who has listened to Brick before knows he can come across as smarmy with his almost arrogant drawl. In this case, his tone fits the characters perfectly - an excellent choice.

I never saw the film treatment of this story, but need to check it out. This is an excellent presentation of a Four-Star story. I wonder what a good Screenplay and Director could do with it..

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

tricked my good

I definently thought it was all a government funded experiment on extreme conditions on groups of untrained people.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Better than the movie

Was always a huge fan of the movie, but this was even better.

Great narration as well.

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