Falling Free [Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Lois McMaster Bujold (Author), Michael Hanson (Narrator), Carol Cowan (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996

Engineer Leo Graf is sent by GalacTech to teach free-fall welding and construction on an orbital habitat. His students are genetically engineered space workers adapted specifically for life and work in null-G.

It seemed a simple enough assignment; but Leo was unprepared for what he would really be called upon to do. What he discovers causes him to examine the very nature of freedom _ theirs and his own...

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This recording, based on a Nebula Award-winning sf novel, centers on the moral dilemmas created when a bioengineered breed of humanoid workers are considered capital assets. The narration is shared between Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan, who handle the male and female roles, respectively. The narrators attempt to give each character a unique voice, and although they succeed, the subtle nuances of a single reader are absent. Perhaps more disturbing is the lack of messages instructing the listener on such things as when to turn the cassette over and when to insert a new cassette. The packaging is also a problem, as this reviewer cut his finger on two separate occasions while trying to extract a cassette. Regrettably, not recommended.?Ray Vignovich, West Des Moines P.L., Ia.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A good audiotaped version of the unabridged Bujold novel. Bujold's best work in my opinion. -- Science Fiction Chronicle, July 1996

An engineer sent to an orbital habitat to reach free-fall welding to genetically altered space workers finds his work goes far beyond teaching skills when his discovery involves him in life-and-death scenarios on the station, and in issues which challenge moral and ethical philosophy. Enhanced by a dual narration by Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan, this unabridged science fiction thriller is remarkably engrossing. -- Midwest Book Review

Bujold's literary style is militaristic, scientific and well suited to the audio format. As narrated by Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan (he does the male points of view, she the female) the characters are lent a strength and presence they might not legitimately have in print alone.

Like the slogan on the cassette box says, Falling Free is a "good story well told." Hints of what it might be like living in null-G are well-integrated into the plot, and the story itself arises fairly believably out of mostly-believable characters.

I'd never before experienced a book on audiotape. I was doubtful of the enjoyableness of the experience, but am now a complete convert. It's a great, rewarding medium, and not just for folks with eyestrain. -- Science Fiction Weekly, June 1996

Enhanced by a dual narration by Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan, this unabridged science fiction thriller is remarkably engrossing. -- Reviewer's Bookwatch, July 1996

First I want to tell you that the awards you have received are well deserved! NOBODY can tell a good story like Carol and Michael. The performances are exactly on par, if not better than, the works of art that are read. Audio book companies should place THE READER'S CHAIR as their goal. -- M. P., 8/1/98

I am anxiously awaiting the release of Lois McMaster Bujold's "The Vor Game". I have listened to "Barrayar" and "Warriors Apprentice" -- loved them both; and have just ordered "Falling Free" and "Shards of Honor". Thank you for supplying such a superior product! -- glaboy, 03/05/98

Michael Hanson's and Carol Cowan's narrative talents mesh nicely, creating distinctive voices for the Nebula Award-winning novel's characters through pacing, tone of voice and emotional shading. This production shows dual narrators can enrich the listening experience. -- AudioFile, Nov/Dec 1996

The performance of Michael Hanson and Carol Cowan in this Nebula Award-winning novel is the kind of work you would like to hear with all audiobooks. These two readers among the best of the current crop of narrators. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 6, 1996

The story and interpretations are great. -- KLIATT, November 1996

The unique format, in which Hanson takes on all the male roles and Cowan the female, is very effective. The story itself is an exciting and imaginative science fiction tale. Highly recommended. -- Billboard Magazine, July 27, 1996

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Readers Chair; Unabridged edition (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962401099
• ISBN-13: 978-0962401091
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 2.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,780,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Books on Cassette > Authors, A-Z > ( B ) > Bujold, Lois McMaster

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who actually own genetically engineered products?, June 28, 1999

By 

R. D. Allison ([e-mail]) (Gainesville, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Falling Free (Nebula Award Stories) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Bujold's novel won the 1988 Nebula Award for best science fiction novel of the year. It is centered in an orbiting workstation of a megacorporation. The corporation has genetically engineered humans (most of whom are teenagers or younger) having no legs and four arms, called quaddies, so that they are more effective and efficient in a zero gravity environment. The corporation considers them property rather than workers since it was the corporation that actually made them. A visiting welding instructor and engineer named Leo Graf sets out to free them. Actually, this novel is a part of Bujold's science fiction series, most of which are centered around members of the Vorkosigan family. The action in "Falling Free" occurs about 200 years before the action in Bujold's first novel, "Shards of Honor" (1986). The question of who is the real owner of genetically engineered products is a hot topic in biochemistry and molecular biology circles today and, believe it or not, Ms. Bujold's novel has been discussed.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Graet story, greater characters., September 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Falling Free (Nebula Award Stories) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is only marginally in the Vorkosigan Saga, but this does not make it a minor book by Bujold. The story is breath-taking, as are all Bujold stories. But the depth of some characters (Leo Graf in particular) is maybe even better here. Bujold's remarkable humanism, which is a constant throughout her work (Ethan of Athos, Mountains of Mourning, etc.) is here at its best.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun sci-fi adventure with some deeper philosophical issues, July 19, 2001

By 

Aimee "reader extraordinaire" (Athens, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Falling Free (Nebula Award Stories) (Mass Market Paperback)

I absolutely love Lois McMaster Bujold; she is one of my all-time favorite authors. But one of the problems I have with recommending her books is that I don't know where to start! It's hard to find the beginning of her Vorkosigan series. Falling Free, although not really part of the series, is the chronological beginning and a good introduction to LMB. In this book (as with all her books), she combines intelligence, humor, drama, and a touch of philosophy and blends them into a rollicking, quick-moving adventure story. This particular novel also has some good, hard science-fictional ideas, ideas which I found fascinating.