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A Meeting with Medusa  By  cover art

A Meeting with Medusa

By: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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Publisher's summary

"A Meeting with Medusa" was first published in the December 1971 issue of Playboy.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) is regarded as one of the most-influential science fiction writers of all time. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

©2000 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about A Meeting with Medusa

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Prelude for the Reynolds / Baxter collaboration

A Meeting with Medusa is an Arthur C Clarke novella that was originally published by Playboy in 1971. The story is in the straightforward style of sci-fi from the mid-20th century where a sci-fi concept was the dominant theme and focus of the story. In this case, Howard Falcon who begins the tale as an airship (helium rather than hydrogen) is seriously injured in an accident. At some future point, he pursues a project to pilot a "space" airship into the upper Jovian atmosphere and discovers strange lifeforms existing in a gaseous ocean-life environment, one of which he calls a "Medusa."

The sci-fi elements beyond the interplanetary space travel involve strange alien life forms adapted to conditions unique to Jupiter, including a sense for radiowaves. At the same time, Falcon is revealed as a one of a kind "cyborg" as a result of his earlier accident. With the Jovian creatures and Howard himself, Clarke seems to have initiated an exploration of beyond human intelligence, but the story ends as if he simply grew bored.

The narration is adequate without the need for much variety or range. As a lengthy prologue for the subsequent (>30 years later) Reynolds / Baxter collaboration, this novella introduces the main character and hints at future possibilities.

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14 people found this helpful

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I can’t go on

I have to be honest I have not been able to digest a single word from this book because of the narrator. He is reading this book with the monotone cadence of one who is reading a manual on how to take apart an old carburetor. There is no inflection in the voice whatsoever… This may possibly be a really good book, however, I will never know because I cannot listen to this man’s voice for another second.

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11 people found this helpful

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Entertaining

Nice story, but a bit predictable...except for the very end. Narration was excellent; easy to understand even while driving.

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9 people found this helpful

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Arthur

Is an amazing storyteller and scientist. I bet most of his numbers are correct. Recommended is also space oddicy (whole) and Rama (if him, i think so)

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4 people found this helpful

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Great imagination

As always, Arthur C Clarke takes you into his world of Sci-fi
GREAT BOOK and well read.

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4 people found this helpful

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enthralling

enjoyed it very much as a late night read before bed time on a rainy weekend night.

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3 people found this helpful

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Not a fish story

Splendid. Classic space travel, but as it realistically would be. A well paced novella in 4 tight chapters. I had no issues with the narration style. If you happen to have the Playboy Dec 1971 issue it was originally published on, hold on to it !

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  • 04-16-21

Classic Golden Age Story

Rip roaring adventure, fantastic creatures, and just enough hard science. Great fun and thought provoking.

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Interesting!

Arti certainly had a way with words and a very creative way to veiw things.

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Bad Narrator

Story is interesting. The narration brings it down. It’s an odd style that seems very old and tired.

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1 person found this helpful