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Gnomon
- Narrated by: Ben Onwukwe
- Length: 29 hrs and 4 mins
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Gnomon
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Publisher's Summary
A Best Science Fiction Book of 2017 - The Guardian
From the widely acclaimed author of The Gone-Away World and Tigerman, comes a virtuosic new novel set in a near-future, high-tech surveillance state that is equal parts dark comedy, gripping detective story, and mind-bending philosophical puzzle.
In the world of Gnomon, citizens are constantly observed and democracy has reached a pinnacle of "transparency". Every action is seen, every word is recorded, and the System has access to its citizens' thoughts and memories - all in the name of providing the safest society in history.
When suspected dissident Diana Hunter dies in government custody, it marks the first time a citizen has been killed during an interrogation. The System doesn't make mistakes, but something isn't right about the circumstances surrounding Hunter's death. Mielikki Neith, a trusted state inspector and a true believer in the System, is assigned to find out what went wrong.
Immersing herself in neural recordings of the interrogation, what she finds isn't Hunter but rather a panorama of characters within Hunter's psyche: a lovelorn financier in Athens who has a mystical experience with a shark; a brilliant alchemist in ancient Carthage confronting the unexpected outcome of her invention; an expat Ethiopian painter in London designing a controversial new video game, and a sociopathic disembodied intelligence from the distant future. Embedded in the memories of these impossible lives lies a code which Neith must decipher to find out what Hunter is hiding. In the static between these stories, Neith begins to catch glimpses of the real Diana Hunter - and, alarmingly, of herself. The staggering consequences of what she finds will reverberate throughout the world.
A dazzling, panoramic achievement, and Nick Harkaway's most brilliant work to date, Gnomon is peerless and profound, captivating and irreverent, as it pierces through strata of reality and consciousness and illuminates how to set a mind free. It is a truly accomplished novel from a mind possessing a matchless wit infused with a deep humanity.
What the critics say
“Gnomon is an extraordinary novel, and one I can’t stop thinking about some weeks after I read it. It is deeply troubling, magnificently strange, and an exhilarating read.” (Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven)
“Opening a novel by Nick Harkaway feels like stepping into a theme park for the mind - every page you turn brings new delights for the mind and the senses. Gnomon is brilliant and terrifying, full of pleasures big and small. Basically, everything I want in a book.” (Charles Yu, author of How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe)
“Beguiling, multilayered, sprawling novel that blends elements of Philip K. Dick-tinged sci-fi, mystery, politics, and literary fiction in a most satisfying brew.... Fans of Pynchon and William Gibson alike will devour this smart, expertly written bit of literary subversion.” (Kirkus, starred review)
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What listeners say about Gnomon
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. R.
- 2023-05-02
In every way a success
So, not to go on about it:
I read the novel first, because I always do, and the first thing I thought was that I wanted to read it again. There’s a deep and well woven plot, and if you love the English language you will certainly appreciate what Nick Harkaway can do with it. It’s a great, intricate story, and you should read it.
The audiobook was a great way to enjoy it again. Ben Onwukwe is a masterful reader. He’s fully committed to delivering a near Shakespearean performance of this novel, which takes a lot, when you consider that there are passages I would have thought to be almost impossible to read to yourself let alone other people, Top shelf, my man.
If you plan to listen before you read: be prepared to not have a fucking clue who is actually who at not one but several points in the story. Don’t let this bother you. Read it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lukasdp
- 2023-06-05
will be better the second time through.
my first experience with this author was the gone away world, which was amazing, but also much much better the second time around. Listening to this almost half the time I wasn’t sure what the hell was going on but I loved it anyway.
listening to it again, in the not too distant future will be like experiencing it all over again, but with a much better level of understanding.
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