Collected Stories
by Lewis Shiner
Narrated by David Birney, Scott Brick, Gabrielle de Cuir, Kimberly Farr, Janis Ian, Rex Linn, Arthur Morey, Stefan Rudnicki
Why Listen?
A stellar ensemble cast elevates Shiner's genre-bending stories, each narrator perfectly matched to their tale's emotional core. Twenty hours of inventive sci-fi and fantasy that rewards deep listening.
About This Audiobook
Lewis Shiner's multifaceted imagination unfolds across forty-one stories that traverse the boundaries between speculative fiction, literary fiction, and rock-and-roll mythology. These tales explore parallel histories, alternate realities, and the collision between technology and human emotion, spanning decades of a master storyteller's evolution. From time-traveling musicians to Vietnam War veterans grappling with surreal aftermaths, Shiner crafts narratives that question reality while celebrating the transformative power of music and memory. The collection showcases his award-winning range, blending cyberpunk sensibilities with deeply personal character studies.
Eight distinguished narrators transform this literary journey into a remarkable ensemble performance, each bringing distinct vocal textures to different stories. The varied narrative voices, including musician Janis Ian's particularly evocative readings, create an anthology experience that mirrors the diversity of Shiner's fictional worlds. The production's careful matching of narrators to thematic material enhances the emotional resonance of each piece, while the extended runtime allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in Shiner's richly detailed universes. The audio format particularly suits stories steeped in musical references, bringing rhythm and cadence to prose that celebrates sound and storytelling in equal measure.