Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Out of Time’s Abyss
- Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Narrator: Ralph Snelson
- Length: 03:44:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2011
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
- ISBN13: SABFAB9780337
There’s something magical about listening to tales of lost worlds while traveling through unfamiliar landscapes. I remember my first encounter with Burroughs’ work – I was bouncing along the Trans-Amazonian Highway in a rickety bus, listening to “The Land That Time Forgot” as the jungle pressed in on both sides. That experience came flooding back when I pressed play on Ralph Snelson’s narration of “Out of Time’s Abyss”, the final chapter in Burroughs’ Caspak trilogy.
“A Story That Feels Like Campfire Lore”
Snelson’s narration captures the oral storytelling tradition that Burroughs’ prose naturally embodies. There’s a rhythmic quality to his delivery that reminds me of those evenings in Oaxaca, where grandmothers would spin tales that felt both ancient and immediate. His voice carries the weight of someone who understands these aren’t just adventure stories – they’re modern myths about humanity’s place in the natural order.
The story itself unfolds like a fever dream of evolutionary theory. As someone who studied anthropology, I’m fascinated by how Burroughs – writing in 1918 – imagined human development. Caspak’s unique ecosystem, where individuals evolve through stages within a single lifetime, presents a fantastical mirror to our own evolutionary journey. While modern science has moved far beyond these concepts, there’s poetry in Burroughs’ vision that still resonates.
“Narration That Bridges Time”
Snelson’s performance shines brightest in the action sequences. During protagonist Bradley’s encounters with the Wieroo (those bat-winged humanoids that still give me chills), the narrator’s pacing creates genuine tension. I found myself gripping my steering wheel during one particularly intense chase scene, even though I was just driving to the grocery store. That’s the magic of a good audiobook – it transports you completely.
The narrator handles the various tribes’ dialects with care, though modern listeners might find some characterizations dated. His portrayal of the Galu people, Caspak’s most ‘advanced’ civilization, carries an appropriate mix of nobility and strangeness that makes their society feel authentically alien yet familiar.
“A Time Capsule of Early 20th Century Thought”
Listening to this in 2023, I couldn’t help reflecting on how Burroughs’ work reflects its era. The evolutionary theories feel quaint, the gender dynamics are very much of their time, and the colonial undertones are impossible to ignore. Yet there’s value in experiencing these stories as historical artifacts – they reveal as much about 1918 as they do about prehistoric fantasy worlds.
It reminds me of visiting the American Museum of Natural History as a child, marveling at dioramas that represented cutting-edge science in their day. We don’t discard those exhibits; we contextualize them. Similarly, “Out of Time’s Abyss” offers a fascinating glimpse into early science fiction’s imagination.
“Perfect For”
• Long road trips through dramatic landscapes
• Fans of classic pulp adventure
• Anyone interested in the history of sci-fi
• Evolutionary biology enthusiasts who enjoy speculative fiction
The LibriVox production has the charming imperfections of volunteer recordings – occasional background noise, the rare mispronunciation – but that only adds to its authenticity. It feels like discovering a well-loved book in a hostel exchange shelf, complete with marginalia from previous readers.
As the final chapter in the Caspak trilogy, “Out of Time’s Abyss” ties together the mysteries of this strange world in satisfying fashion. While not as polished as modern audiobook productions, Snelson’s narration captures the spirit of wonder that makes Burroughs’ work endure. It’s a free audiobook that’s worth far more than its price tag.
May your journeys – both literal and literary – be filled with wonder,
Marcus Rivera
