Length2h 27m
About this audiobook
In "Under Old Earth," Cordwainer Smith masterfully weaves a tapestry of science fiction that explores themes of identity, power, and the human condition against a richly imagined universe. The narrative is marked by Smith's distinctive literary style, characterized by poetic prose and an intricate interplay between myth and technology. Set in a far-future Earth, the story delves into the lives of the Instrumentality of Mankind, a governing body with profound moral and ethical complexities, questioning what it means to be human in a world governed by an inscrutable cosmic order while engaging with Smith's broader themes of individuality and societal control. Cordwainer Smith, a pen name for Paul Linebarger, was influenced by his unique background, which included his experiences in both diplomacy and psychology. His exposure to diverse cultures and his service in the U.S. military during World War II informed his perspectives on power and humanity, enriching his imaginative constructs. Smith's stories often reflect his belief in the transformative power of love and empathy, rooted in his extensive academic pursuits in Eastern philosophy and psychology, which resonated through the narratives he crafted. "Under Old Earth" is an essential read for those interested in thought-provoking science fiction that transcends mere escapism. Smith's intricate world-building, combined with profound philosophical inquiries, invites readers to ponder the complexities of freedom, social structures, and personal identity. This novel not only captivates with its imaginative scope but also engages with timeless questions, making it a valuable addition to the canon of speculative literature.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.2 (54)
Includes Goodreads
GenreScience Fiction, General Fiction
Length2 hrs 27 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJul 21, 2022
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
5Analysis
2Synopsis
6Reflection
3Historical Context
7Memorable Quotes
4Under Old Earth
More from Cordwainer Smith
The Boy Who Bought Old EarthCordwainer Smith4h 20m4.3 (212)$1 · $0.00
Under Old EarthCordwainer Smith1h 49m4.2 (54)$2 · $0.00
On the Sand PlanetCordwainer Smith1h 17m3.3 (13)$1 · $0.00
On the Sand PlanetCordwainer Smith1h 17m3.4 (13)$2 · $0.00
Scanners Live in VainCordwainer Smith2h 7m4.3 (718)$1 · $0.00
The Store Of Heart's DesireCordwainer Smith2h 40m$1 · $0.00
The Dead Lady of Clown TownCordwainer Smith3h 22m4.2 (667)$2 · $0.00
The Store Of Heart's DesireCordwainer Smith3h 18m$2 · $0.00
Before the Coffee Gets Cold: A Toshikazu Kawaguchi Book SetToshikazu Kawaguchi18h 55m4.5 (1.4K)$40 · $0.00
PRIMAL 2055 - EscapeJack Silkstone6h 47m4.4 (232)Free
Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen (Annotated)H. Beam Piper8h 23m4.5 (1.6K)$2 · $0.00
Philip K. Dick: SF Boxed SetPhilip K. Dick29h 38m4.5 (608)$1 · $0.00
Magician's EndRaymond E. Feist17h 5m4.4 (21.7K)$40 · $0.00
Good OmensNeil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett12h 14m4.4 (1M)$29 · $0.00
The Emperor's FistJay Allan8h 37m4.5 (272)$26 · $0.00
The DispossessedUrsula K. Le Guin13h 26m4.4 (189.3K)$33 · $0.00
1984George Orwell11h 31m4.3 (6.2M)$1.20 · $0.00
Lost ValleyWalt Browning7h 47m4.3 (5.4K)$20 · $0.00
AgincourtBernard Cornwell16h 18m4.3 (41.4K)$40 · $0.00
Frankenstein (The Uncensored 1818 Edition) (Annotated)Mary Shelley9h 25m4.3 (1.7M)$3 · $0.00
The World Wasn't Ready for YouJustin C. Key11h 34m4.4 (812)$5 · $0.00
Godzilla vs. KongGreg Keyes10h 32m4.3 (1.4K)$20 · $0.00
Alas, Babylon (Annotated)Pat Frank12h 32m4.3 (11.6K)$2 · $0.00
Day of WrathWilliam R. Forstchen4h 36m4.3 (1.9K)$14 · $0.00
AbandonedJules Verne7h 42m4.3 (1.1K)$2.30 · $0.00
StargodsIan Douglas12h 15m4.4 (732)$5 · $0.00
Two Plays for VoicesNeil Gaiman2h 4m4.3 (1K)$16 · $0.00
March UpcountryDavid Weber, John Ringo17h 17m4.2 (17.1K)$28 · $0.00
WhistlerAnn Patchett10h 45m4.6 (4.6K)$29 · $0.00
Demon CopperheadBarbara Kingsolver21h 3m4.5 (949.4K)$46 · $0.00
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee12h 18m4.5 (7.4M)$29 · $0.00
Remarkably Bright CreaturesShelby Van Pelt11h 17m4.4 (1.7M)$29 · $0.00
Cast in BloodMichelle Sagara16h 35m4.6 (607)$33 · $0.00
The Captain Blood Trilogy (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini29h 20m4.6 (1K)$3 · $0.00
Ship of the Line (Annotated)Cecil Louis Troughton Smith11h 13m4.6 (1K)$2 · $0.00
The George Orwell CollectionGeorge Orwell24h 46m4.5 (14.4K)$12 · $0.00
Time RegainedMarcel Proust15h 38m4.5 (9.2K)$2 · $0.00
Driving ForceElle James4h 58m4.6 (407)$20 · $0.00
When God Calls the HeartBrian Bird, Michelle Cox3h 24m4.6 (439)$10 · $0.00
Five Little IndiansMichelle Good10h 34m4.5 (64.5K)$29 · $0.00
Lolth's WarriorR. A. Salvatore13h 20m4.6 (2.4K)$33 · $0.00
The Things We Cannot SayKelly Rimmer13h 48m4.5 (359.1K)$33 · $0.00
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du BoisHonoree Fanonne Jeffers29h 49m4.5 (58K)$8 · $0.00
Going PostalTerry Pratchett11h 23m4.5 (189.9K)$29 · $0.00
Glen AffricKarine Giebel22h 51m4.5 (3.2K)$46 · $0.00
The Book Of NegroesLawrence Hill15h 45m4.5 (107.3K)$33 · $0.00
Anne of Green GablesL. M. Montgomery11h 1m4.5 (1.2M)$2.30 · $0.00
Lieutenant Hornblower (Annotated)C. S. Forester11h 41m4.5 (2.9K)$2 · $0.00
You may also like
The Dream of EnlightenmentAnthony Gottlieb10h 2m4.2 (1.9K)$20 · $0.00
Erasing AmericaJames S. Robbins8h 20m4.4 (352)$20 · $0.00
The Best American Short Stories 2019Anthony Doerr, Heidi Pitlor16h 8m3.8 (2.1K)$33 · $0.00
We Have Been HarmonizedKai Strittmatter10h 29m4.3 (4.3K)$29 · $0.00
Making SenseSam Harris22h 27m4.1 (3K)$46 · $0.00
Socialism Is EvilJustin T. Haskins2h 16m4.4 (386)$15 · $0.00
All It Takes Is GutsWalter E. Williams5h 53m4.3 (282)$14 · $0.00
BehemothJoshua B. Freeman13h 43m4.0 (1.4K)$23
Off with Her HeadEleanor Herman10h 58m4.0 (3.5K)$29 · $0.00
The Ticket That ExplodedWilliam S. Burroughs9h 24m3.8 (3.9K)$20
Big DataViktor Mayer-Schönberger, Kenneth Cukier9h 41m4.0 (27.3K)$29 · $0.00
Y2KColette Shade7h 47m3.9 (1.7K)$26 · $0.00
The Sleeper AwakesH. G. Wells8h 39m3.6 (7.2K)$0.60 · $0.00
The True Creator of EverythingMiguel Nicolelis14h 41m3.9 (314)$23 · $0.00
Winging It - Improv's Power and Peril in the Time of TrumpRandy Fertel9h 19m$23
The Inner HouseWalter Besant6h 26m3.6 (17)$2.30
The Last WitnessT.S. Rook51m4.4 (27)$2.99 · $0.00
Russian Avant-GardeEvgueny Kovtun3h 23m4.4 (32)$15 · $0.00
Russian Avant-GardeEvgueny Kovtun3h 44m4.1 (43)$15 · $0.00
The Gospel EngineSamuel Thawley11h 28m4.9 (11)Free