Interlibrary Loan

A borrowed person named E.A. Smithe finds himself transferred to a remote library branch in the far future, where humanity has endured but changed dramatically. Smithe is a reclone, his consciousness derived from a long-dead mystery writer, existing as property rather than a legal human being. When he arrives at Polly's Cove alongside fellow borrowed persons, he encounters a desperate young girl seeking help to save her mother and uncover the truth about her supposedly deceased father. The situation grows more complex when Smithe discovers another version of himself, raising unsettling questions about identity, mortality, and what it truly means to exist.

Tim Gerard Reynolds delivers a masterful narration that captures both the melancholy and mystery inherent in Wolfe's intricate prose. His measured pacing allows listeners to absorb the story's philosophical depths while maintaining engagement with its detective elements. Reynolds skillfully differentiates between characters, giving each borrowed person a distinct voice that reflects their literary origins. The audio format particularly enhances Wolfe's layered storytelling, as Reynolds' performance guides listeners through the author's characteristic ambiguities and hidden meanings, making this cerebral science fiction tale both accessible and haunting.