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Galapagos

Written by: Kurt Vonnegut
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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Publisher's Summary

Galapagos takes the listener back one million years to AD 1986. A simple vacation cruise suddenly becomes an evolutionary journey. Thanks to an apocalypse, a small group of survivors stranded on the Galapagos Islands are about to become the progenitors of a brave, new, totally different human race.

Kurt Vonnegut, America's master satirist, looks at our world and shows us all that is sadly, madly awry - and all that is worth saving.

As an added bonus, when you purchase our Audible Modern Vanguard production of Kurt Vonnegut's book, you'll also receive an exclusive Jim Atlas interview. This interview – where James Atlas interviews Gay Talese about the life and work of Kurt Vonnegut – begins as soon as the audiobook ends.

©1985 Kurt Vonnegut (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

"Beautiful...provocative, arresting reading." ( USA Today)
"Vonnegut is a post-modern Mark Twain.... Galapagos is a madcap genealogical adventure." ( The New York Times Book Review)
"The best Vonnegut novel yet!" (John Irving)

What listeners say about Galapagos

Average Customer Ratings
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Incredible!

*7 Stars!

I think that everyone’s reading is influenced early on by the people in our lives. Parents, teachers, friends, they all tend to point us in certain directions for our reading. My influencing factors pointed me in directions other than Vonnegut. But I’ve heard his name come up frequently over the past few years, so it seemed to be about time to give him a shot. I’ve certainly been missing something special.

Based on my usual criteria, if I even have usual criteria, Galapagos should have been a 3-star rating. There was very little action or character development, and no real climax, but there was something exceptionally special about how the story was told. The best way I can describe my experience is comparing it to putting a puzzle together; you know what the picture is, it’s right there in front of you, but the fun or the challenge is figuring out how all of the pieces fit together.

Vonnegut’s big brain has explored the big picture of change and adaptation. I loved the way he highlighted how insignificant many of humanity’s “accomplishments” really are: in a million years no one will know or care about the 45th President of the United States, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony or Kurt Vonnegut, for that matter. We are just tiny specks on the massive timeline. Life will continue in one way or another and our mistakes and inaction can be just as significant as our “accomplishments.”

I “read” the audiobook of Galapagos and found Jonathan Davis’ narration to be a perfect match for the story. He kept me captivated with his matter-of-fact tone and sarcastic inflection. Davis became Leon Trout.

While post-apocalyptic in scope, it is not your typical post-apocalyptic story in nature…then again, I don’t think that there is anything typical about Kurt Vonnegut.

I love it when I find an author like this!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

The event that saved the human race

Sometimes I think Kurt Vonnegut is writing the books of Kilgore Trout. This is one of those times. I have so many questions that are left unanswered.

What actually happened to the rest of the human race?

Then I realize that, from the narrator’s viewpoint, 1,000,000 years hence, none of that matters anymore.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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My big brain loved it.

Only my second time ‘reading’ Vonnegut but, like slaughter house five, it did not disappoint. Not only do I love his style, I also loved the subject matter. As a high school biology teacher, there was plenty to enjoy in the Galapagos. There wasn’t a character I didn’t enjoy learning about!

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  • GB
  • 2019-02-13

Nicely narrated. Thats about all I can say.

The story takes place in1960’s written by some one amillion years in the future. Definately not a travel log,

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Vonnegut, captivating as he always was.

Vonnegut, captivating as he always was. His works always have me reflecting and never cease to influence my viewpoint, and have me thinking of things in another light.

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