Preview
  • Slow Time Between the Stars

  • The Far Reaches Collection
  • By: John Scalzi
  • Narrated by: Kay Eluvian
  • Length: 56 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (517 ratings)

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Slow Time Between the Stars

By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Kay Eluvian
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Publisher's summary

An artificial intelligence on a star-spanning mission explores the farthest horizons of human potential—and its own purpose—in a mind-bending short story by New York Times bestselling author John Scalzi.

Equipped with the entirety of human knowledge, a sentient ship is launched on a last-ditch journey to find a new home for civilization. Trillions of miles. Tens of thousands of years. In the space between, the AI has plenty of time to think about life, the vastness of the universe, everything it was meant to do, and—with a perspective created but not limited by humans—what it should do.

John Scalzi’s Slow Time Between the Stars is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

©2023 John Scalzi. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
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What listeners say about Slow Time Between the Stars

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
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Intelligent Story About Artificial Intelligence

You should know up front, if you're a Scalzi fan, that there is no snark in this story. This is a first person account of an interstellar mission "manned" solely by an artificial intelligence looking for planets elsewhere in the universe that would be suitable for human repopulation and terraforming. Although the AI can be subtly droll, this is more of an introspective meditation on humanity and the potential of AI.

Great stuff from the master of modern science fiction that is really a commentary on contemporary issues, but without his trademark humorous banter.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Worth more than one listen

Some believe this is how life on earth started. The narrator was perfect. Will definitely listen to it again.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Thought provoking and thoughtful

I liked the pace, tone, and concept of the story. It was perfect introspective company for a walk in the country on a quiet hiking trail. The audio narration fit the "personality" of the AI representing and growing beyond Earth.

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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

So thought provoking

Excellent short story, lovely prose and excellent narration 🙂 great for anyone interested in thinking about existence beyond this world.

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

Interesting concept

This short story does a good job telling an interesting story with a moral twist. It got me thinking a little bit at the end so well done.

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

Great short story worth the listen!

John Scalzi has once again hit a home run in this inventive and well -constructed story. Always worth my investment.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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loved it

I find myself wanting to return to this piece again and again. Very relaxing, yet thought provoking. Truly helps you appreciate the reciprocal relationship between space and time and it's effect on life.

Excellent!

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

Good performance of a meh story

As title. The performance was outstanding, but the story itself was bland. With the ending it has, the story could have been shorter and not drag on like it did.

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

Eh..:

It wasn’t bad but pretty boring. Also the ending was anti climactic and easily predictable.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Touched

This is so much, exactly what I have loved in science fiction since first becoming an avid reader of it, in the early-mid 1970s. I think I may just go right back and listen to it again, right now.

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