Red Thunder Audiobook By John Varley cover art

Red Thunder

The Thunder and Lightning Series, Book 1

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Red Thunder

By: John Varley
Narrated by: Eddie Lopez
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About this listen

As Chinese and US spacecraft compete to be the first to land on Mars, a former astronaut, his cousin, and four teens from Florida decide to take matters into their own hands. If they can quickly build their own space-worthy ship using scrap metal, appliances, and power tools, they have a chance to come from behind - thanks to an inventive new power source that can propel them to the Red Planet within three days. No guts, no glory.

©2004 John Varley (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing
Adventure Fantasy Fiction Hard Science Fiction Humorous Science Fiction Space Exploration Space Mars Interstellar Solar System Comedy Transportation
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What listeners say about Red Thunder

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Highly Enjoyable

Red Thunder is one of my favorite stories - thought provoking, very topical for today and just plain happy. Eddie Lopez credibly pulled off the Cajun accents and Jubal in particular.

If you loved the book, you will love the Audible performance.

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2 people found this helpful

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A good read / listen

I read this book several years ago and enjoyed it. I also listened to this copy and enjoyed it. I purchased the next two on the series and will listen to them next. John Varley gives good reads and I enjoy listening/ reading them again and again.

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A fun, yet unrealistic, listen.

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The science is way off and not accurate often, but sounds plausible. The stereotyping in the story reads as if the story was written in the 1950’s, not the 2000. Reminds me of Heinlein at times. Bottom line is I recommend it.

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One of the best adventures I’ve read

Exciting, moving, fun adventure that while it doesn’t take itself too seriously, has plenty of depth. Friends, family, and community. Great read

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Good sci-fi stiory

Very entertaining. Good plot, good pace and story is set up to continue to book 2 in the story.

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Modern Version of Heinlein Favorites

Set in Daytona, Florida and filled with characters from many diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, this story about a gentle genius and his hard drinking, loving cousin, four teenagers, and their parents is contemporary, fun, funny, poignant, and reminiscent of Robert Heinlein's Rocket Ship Galileo and Have Spacesuit Will Travel. You'll have to buy into a major alteration in the laws of physics. But once you do, hold on and enjoy the ride as this group of misfits join together to build a spaceship and fly it to Mars and, along the way, learn things about life and themselves and building a family of their choosing.

Highly recommend.

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Red Thunder is Magnificent

I love this book! it and it's follow on books in the series really capture what it must have been like to be part of the first REAL Constant-G spacecraft! I think John Varley's best work!

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One of my favorites!

This book was initially given to me by a friend. Little did I know at the time how much I'd come to love it. I've been checking for audio versions for years. Imagine my shock when I finally saw it. Even better, the reader did an excellent job. too many great books have been butchered by bad narration.

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The book held up well

John Varley writes fantastical fantasy and it was multicultural without being overbearing on the subject. From takeoff to Mars in 3 days without the astronauts turning into paste ... WHAT A RIDE!

Eddie Lopez's performance was very good.

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Good, steady voice that easily shifted between characters and accents.

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I have always wished a movie would be made. I would pay to see it.

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