A quiet end to the world.

Would you listen to The Man Who Watched the World End again? Why?

I really loved this story. The world is ending, but is such a slow, quiet way. People started to be born without the ability to look after themselves. The population is ageing, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.
The story is not a happy one. The ending is inevitable, but I still needed to keep listening because I kept hoping I was wrong about what would happen.

Any additional comments?

I wasn't keen on Ray Chase's performance. I found his voice a little slow, but that could just be because I am not used to listening to American accents. It didn't put me off listening to the story.

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A Melancholy Swan Song Worth A Listen

🧡 This is a sad and difficult story, but one which opens up many a fascinating thought wormhole. Amongst these are existential questions about quality of life and the nature of family. If you like grappling with such mind mazes, I high recommend this.
It is also an incredibly moving account of brotherly love.

💚 Having said all that, this is about the most depressing thing I have ever heard. I won’t be listening to the sequel. I have confidence in Dietzel’s writing and am sure it will be equally fascinating, but I can’t do this again.

Content warning for a lot (just so much) animal suffering. To be fair, most of the violence is animal on animal, but it’s tough.
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SOUNDBITE

🎧 Ray Chase has lent his gravelly voice box to many sci-fi titles and he is, as always, excellent. Expressive and likeable and engaging.

🎧 If you’re looking for a relaxing escapism, this is not it. Between the general hopelessness and animal animosity, this is pretty much a downer. BUT it’s easy to follow and, at just under 7.5 hours, is not a massive commitment.

I listened to this for free on Audible Plus.

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It's an interesting read/listen.

This is not a joyful book but its not morose either. It is another way to look at the end of human existence, which makes it interesting.
The concept of blocks and the loyalty to his brother regardless of anything else, how life continues without human existence, how animals begin taking back the earth and what will happen after the last human dies.

I enjoyed it.

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Introspective Dieoff

Hard to rate this one. Sad, thoughtful, slow, thematically similar to children of men. A things fall apart kind of experience. Definitely a good quality piece.

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I like happy stories...this isn't one

sad but interesting and while enjoying it, it pushes you to think about the futility of much of man's actions.

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Has author has not lived in the modern world?

It was a good concept. Well written but honestly the ancient gender stereotyping got on my nerves. It was SO male focused it pulled me out of the narrative. Women only keep the house and look after children. They couldn't possible be soldiers, doctors, builders or get any kind of job. Disappointing.

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Depressing

Don’t get me wrong great storey had me hooked all the way but wow it’s depressed me, put a real life situation on a apocalypse the slow decline of humanity and it’s almost scary how real this scenario could be depressed me and left me slack jawed...

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Depressing dystopian at its best!

Having read this series years ago and thought of it often, I was really pleased to see it here on audible.
This isn’t a happy book but it’s certainly gets you thinking.
Ignore the low rating - someone gave it 1 star for absolutely no genuine reason. Read this (and the rest of the series) and you won’t regret it.

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the man who watched the world end.

yes, like the majority of you all I too have listened to endless dystopian books. THIS is one of the finest bits of writing and the amazing voice acting was sublime. so I gladly give this my full stars.

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1 person found this helpful

Engrossing and Emotional

The setting of this novel is unusual, but the central character and his relationship to his brother is the main focus. Extremely good

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1 person found this helpful