Audiobook Fix: Wonder Audiobooks

Audible.com has recently added a bunch of short speculative fiction to its catalog. One of the more interesting new publishers there is Wonder Audiobooks, which produces unabridged versions of vintage genre fiction. Here are a few of the titles they offer:

“Fondly Fahrenheit” is Alfred Bester’s most famous short story, and it contains echoes of his acclaimed longer work. About a man and his murderous android, it’s written in such a brilliant and atypical fashion that the reader isn’t certain where the android ends and the man begins. Bester tosses pronouns around such that while listening, one can’t help but think that the first time the narrator refers to the android as “I,” it’s an error. It quickly becomes apparent that these two characters are twisted together in a way that neither of them comprehend. The mysteries left behind by the murderous pair are reminiscent of Bester’s science fiction mystery novel The Demolished Man, and the repetitive phrase/song (which Pat Bottino sings to great effect) reminded me of another famous Bester novel, The Stars, My Destination. One simply can’t have a better introduction to Alfred Bester than this story.

Also included is a very short sell-your-soul-to-the-devil tale called “Will You Wait?” It’s amusing, and it illustrates an interest of Bester’s that spurred some of his later work.

Publisher: Wonder Audiobooks (Dec. 2007)
Price: $7.33
Audiobook: 70 min.

Science fiction often tells us that we need to adjust our thinking. We humans fall into our ways of viewing the universe and glue ourselves to them so tightly that it becomes difficult to contemplate that things could be different. “The Devil on Salvation Bluff” by Jack Vance puts some missionaries on a planet where the culture works a little differently. The natives act in a chaotic fashion that reflects their planet’s natural surroundings, and the missionaries cling to sanity through a clock that they installed on Salvation Bluff. Through the clock (and only the clock) they know whether it’s night or day, because the planet goes through sunsets and sunrises almost randomly. Understanding only comes when the missionaries are forced to let go of their way of thinking. Candace Platt’s reading adds a great tone to the story, making for a very pleasant listen.

Publisher: Wonder Audiobooks (Dec. 2007)
Price: $7.33
Audiobook: 61 min.

“The Game of Rat and Dragon” by Cordwainer Smith, very well read by Matthew Wayne Selznick, reminded me of an aspect of the television series Babylon 5, so perhaps there was some inspiration here. In Babylon 5, when ships are in hyperspace, they occasionally see things. In the universe presented by Smith, traveling between the stars requires moving a ship into a different dimension, traveling for a bit, then returning to ours. Unfortunately, there are things living in that other dimension, and they sometimes destroy ships. Psychics are nurtured who can effectively explode light bombs that scare the things (called Dragons) away. It makes for a very interesting universe, one alive with possibilities. Indifferent intelligence is possibly one of the scariest possibilities going, and Smith shows us why.

Publisher: Wonder Audiobooks (Dec. 2007)
Price: $5.23
Audiobook: 33 min.

I spoke to Rick Jackson, the owner of Wonder Audiobooks, about what prompted him to choose the specific titles he’s providing. He told me:

“When I got hooked as an audiobook listener, I found that vintage SF was nearly non-existent. They say if you can do what you love, then you’re a lucky person. So I asked myself, why not publish vintage science fiction? It’s to fill a want in me. If I can supply it not only to existing fans, but new fans as well, all the better.”

All the better indeed! I’m looking forward to more.