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Eaters of the Dead

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Eaters of the Dead

Written by: Michael Crichton
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

The year is A.D. 922. A refined Arab courtier, representative of the powerful Caliph of Baghdad, encounters a party of Viking warriors who are journeying to the barbaric North. He is appalled by their Viking customs - the wanton sexuality of their pale, angular women, their disregard for cleanliness...their cold-blooded human sacrifices. But it is not until they reach the depths of the Northland that the courtier learns the horrifying and inescapable truth: he has been enlisted by these savage, inscrutable warriors to help combat a terror that plagues them - a monstrosity that emerges under cover of night to slaughter the Vikings and devour their flesh....

Eaters of the Dead was adapted to the screen as The 13th Warrior, starring Antonio Banderas.

©1976 by Michael Crichton; Copyright renewed 2004 by CrichtonSun LLC. (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.
Historical Literature & Fiction Suspense Warrior Science Fiction Fiction Viking Mystery Scary
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What listeners say about Eaters of the Dead

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  • Overall
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I liked the movie

This novel blows it away, I especially liked how it felt like a historical journey that was being narrated to me.

I knew it was fiction, but towards the end I was (and still am) convinced of situations like this actually occurring.

Overall, cool story.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Deep and beautiful

A wonderful perspective on a unique period in history. The narrator does a wonderful job brining the characters to life! #audible1

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent except for the sex assaults

it was a story for its age and an excellent one as shown in The 13th Warrior movie adaptation.

This is a fantastic read for anyone wanting descriptions of a D&D-like adventuring party traveling through the wilderness and several encounters of exciting violence.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyed

I found the book very enjoyable but mostly because of the concept behind how the author came up with the idea. It is worth a listen if you enjoy a Beowolf style story.

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1 person found this helpful

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Lo, There do I see my Father.....

#Audible1 This book is the very story that i first saw as the movie, the 13th Warrior. I originally filmed in the wilds around where I currently live, this story attracted me as it was one of the first movies I had seen on the Norse. The movie led me to the book and the book made me a lifelong fan of it. This book is a great story by Michael Crichton and because of the way its written and in the end, the reveal of why it was written, makes it all that much better when you realize what the story is all about

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4 people found this helpful

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Storytelling Technique A Touch Overdone

Michael Crichton admirably takes his writing very seriously. He carefully and punctilliously researches the Science/History surrounding his subject - offering imaginative fiction but ensuring that it has a genuine sense of veracity. This novel is no different: providing plausibility and a sense of authenticity while essentially retelling the mythical legend of the beast in 'Beowulf'. The plot is engrossing, the pacing is peerless, and the themes are thought-provoking.
Unfortunately, Crichton takes his storytelling device (Dark Ages testimony from a discovered Muslim manuscript) too seriously, spending an inordinate amount of effort making it sound scholarly (including footnotes, for example). Yes, it lends feigned legitimacy to the tale, but sadly also renders an action-driven fantastical story somewhat dry at times.

Simon Vance's narration is outstanding, however. His interpretation of the text - from tone to voice-acting - is spot-on. Brilliance Audio hired a true professional to read the book.

The spectacular presentation improves my rating of this production. The unnecessarily academic book probably rates 6.5 stars, but I give this recorded version 8.5 stars out of 10 (if you are given a choice between a Paper/eCopy of this book or the Audiobook iteration, take this one hand's down).
It is still an imaginative & entertaining book - well worth your time - but 'Eaters Of The Dead' isn't Crichton's best work.
If you're a fan, it belongs in your library. If you're new to the author, however, spend your Credit on 'Jurassic Park', 'Sphere', or 'The Andromeda Strain'.

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

Interesting story, iffy pacing.

It's written as an account of an Arab travelling into the land and company of Vikings, and then a less poetic telling of the story of Beowulf, and it is a rather compelling premise. I would say that either the travelling chapters are too long or the conflict chapters are too short. It could use less time reading as a historical account and more time engaging in the story.

Overall, it's not a big time investment and the writing is good enough and premise is interesting enough.

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Outstanding all though a slow build at first....

The first few chapters are basically just fact from the manuscript, setting the table if you will. Once they meet the Vikings Crighton takes over and it becomes fantastic!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Unexpectedly interesting

Really like this quick listen. Very different from my normal listens and I could not put it away.

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

Convincing

Very well narrated. Makes you sincerely believe that this was a historical account due to the different narrators as well as the appendix. Good stuff. If you've seen the 13th warrior you will also enjoy this. if you haven't, go watch it!!

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2 people found this helpful