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Midnight at the Well of Souls

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Midnight at the Well of Souls

By: Jack L. Chalker
Narrated by: Peter Macon
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About this listen

At the heart of a bizarre planet lay the goal of every being that had ever lived.…

Below average in height and unprepossessing in appearance, Nathan Brazil is an unassuming if cynical starship owner, carrying passengers and cargo for a living - hardly the sort of person to hold the fate of the entire universe in his hands.

But when Nathan detours from his route to answer a distress call, a hidden stargate hurls him and his passengers to the Well World, the master control planet for the cosmos. Billions of years ago, a godlike race unlocked all the secrets of space and time and remade the universe according to their grand design. Then they vanished and left behind the Well World to maintain the pattern of the universe.

Now someone is searching for the planet’s hidden control room - the Well of Souls - to seize control of the cosmos. Nathan must stop them, but this planet causes bizarre metamorphoses in visitors, changing them into centaurs, mermaids, and giant insects seemingly at random. As a result, Nathan no longer recognizes his friends, let alone his unknown enemies. His task seems hopeless - until his long-suppressed memories begin to return and he realizes who he really is.

©1982 Jack L. Chalker (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Solar System

Critic reviews

"A big, bold book that takes traditional science fiction and turns it upside down!" (Leigh Brackett, science fiction author and screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back)
All stars
Most relevant
what a setting, best world building I've ever seen in this kind of setting.
I'm not a big sci-fi reader so there may be others that people prefer but I really enjoyed my time with this title

oldie but goodie

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Just incredible story and performance. I wanted such book for a long time. If you like fantasy and sifi you have to get familiar with this book.

Just incredible

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Would you listen to Midnight at the Well of Souls again? Why?

I am already on my third listen through of the best Jack L Chalker there is! I am so glad this is unabridged. While Peter Macon does an ok but uninspiring read, the drama of Chalker's original story comes through. Picking up a mix of mythology and new creatures Chalker manages to convey the mystery of a world where every country is ruled by different sentient beings and the main characters are transformed while still reflecting their innermost beings.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for the next installments.

Finally! And gald it's unabridged

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Loved the book and the way it explores creature design within sci-fi literature. It has a couple gratuitous scenes that don't age too well, but generally I'm excited to pick up the next one in the series. I'm reading this just after finishing Dune and while Dune explores religion, Midnight at the Well of Souls puts most of it's effort into sociological relationships between communities within an easily digestible scenario that leaves a lot to explore in future works.

World Builders Enjoy

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This is my first ever Audio book, so cant compare really, but:
I read this book around 15 years ago when I was teenager, but in my native language (non EN). Now I found this audio version.
I like story (well, I still remember from childhood), but this version wasnt so interesting. Not sure if I am too old (30+ years old) or my English is not good enough. Were few very boring moments I think.
Overal experience is 4 from 5 I guess.

good story

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