Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Surviving Home: A Novel
- Author: A. American
- Narrator: Duke Fontaine
- Length: 14:08:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 30/10/2013
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fiction & Literature, Action & Adventure, Apocalyptic & Dystopian, War & Military
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something about a story of survival that hooks you, isn’t there? It’s like sitting around a flickering campfire in the middle of nowhere, swapping tales of grit and endurance. ‘Surviving Home: A Novel’ by A. American, the second installment in the Going Home series, is one of those stories that pulls you in deep, especially in its audiobook form. As a travel writer who’s trekked through deserts and jungles, I’ve always been drawn to narratives that test the human spirit against the rawest of odds. This apocalyptic and dystopian tale, nestled in the realms of science fiction and fantasy, as well as action and adventure, does just that, painting a world where the power grid fails, society crumbles, and survival becomes the only currency.
I first stumbled into A. American’s world while driving through the desolate stretches of the Atacama Desert in Chile, years ago, listening to another audiobook that matched the surreal landscape outside my window. It reminds me of a time when stories became my compass, guiding me through isolation. ‘Surviving Home’ evokes that same raw connection to place and struggle. The story picks up with Morgan Carter, a survivalist who’s reunited with his family after a grueling journey in the first book, ‘Going Home.’ Now, in a world without electricity, running water, or food, Morgan faces the daunting task of protecting his home and loved ones while his unprepared neighbors grow restless. The tension is palpable, and the stakes are as high as the mountains I’ve climbed in Peru. You can almost feel the grit under your nails, the weight of every decision Morgan makes, as if you’re right there in this war-torn, military-driven narrative.
What strikes me most about this book is its unflinching look at human nature in crisis. The story unfolds like a dusty trail through uncharted territory, revealing how desperation can turn neighbors into threats and how community can be both a lifeline and a liability. A. American weaves themes of preparedness and resilience into a tapestry of action and adventure, echoing the kind of oral histories I’ve collected from families in remote villages. I recall evenings in Oaxaca, listening to a grandmother spin tales with a voice that commanded silence, her timing perfect, her pauses heavy with meaning. That memory surfaces as I listen to this audiobook experience, where the narrative’s pacing mirrors the slow burn of real survival – moments of quiet dread punctuated by bursts of chaos. The apocalyptic and dystopian setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in itself, shaping every interaction with a cold, unrelenting hand.
Now, let’s talk about the listening experience, because an audiobook can make or break a story. Duke Fontaine’s narration of ‘Surviving Home’ is a journey in its own right. His voice has a rugged timbre, like the creak of a weathered barn door, perfectly suited to the war and military undertones of the novel. He captures Morgan’s stoic determination with a gravitas that grounds the character, while infusing secondary characters with distinct tones that paint their personalities vividly. You can almost hear the exhaustion in Morgan’s sighs, the edge of panic in others’ pleas. The audio quality is crisp, immersing you in the desolate world without distraction – no static, no jarring shifts, just a seamless flow that keeps you tethered to the narrative. Fontaine’s pacing mirrors the story’s rhythm, slowing down during tense, introspective moments and accelerating through heart-pounding action. It’s a performance that rivals the best storytellers I’ve encountered on my travels, making this audiobook experience a standout in the genre.
That said, no journey is without its rough patches. While ‘Surviving Home’ excels in building a visceral, dystopian world, it occasionally leans heavily on familiar tropes of the genre. The ‘unprepared masses versus the lone prepper’ dynamic, while compelling, can feel repetitive at times, echoing themes I’ve encountered in works like William R. Forstchen’s ‘One Second After’ or G. Michael Hopf’s ‘The End.’ Yet, A. American injects enough personal stakes – Morgan’s family, his internal conflicts – to keep the story fresh. On the narration front, while Fontaine’s delivery is powerful, there are moments where emotional depth could have been pushed further, especially in scenes of loss or despair. It’s a minor critique, but as someone who’s sat through countless oral histories, I know how a slight shift in tone can elevate a moment from good to unforgettable.
Comparing ‘Surviving Home’ to other apocalyptic and dystopian audiobooks, it holds its own against heavyweights like James Wesley Rawles’ works, with a similar focus on practical survivalism. Yet, it carves a unique niche with its intimate family focus amidst the broader chaos, something not as pronounced in Rawles’ more tactical narratives. If you’re a fan of action and adventure laced with war and military strategy, this audiobook will resonate deeply, offering a listening experience that’s both thrilling and thought-provoking.
For potential listeners, I’d recommend this audiobook to anyone intrigued by science fiction and fantasy tales of collapse and endurance, or those who crave a gritty action and adventure story. It’s ideal for long drives – trust me, I’ve tested plenty of audiobooks on endless roads – or quiet nights when you want to escape into a world that challenges your notions of safety and community. And while I can’t promise a free audiobook download directly, the value of this listening experience is worth every penny, with many platforms offering trials that might let you snag an audiobook free if you’re savvy.
Reflecting on ‘Surviving Home,’ I’m reminded of why I’m drawn to stories of survival, whether they’re told over a crackling fire in a remote village or through headphones on a bustling city street. They strip life down to its essentials, forcing us to ask: What would I do? How far would I go to protect what’s mine? As someone who’s wandered through cultures and landscapes, collecting stories of human resilience, this audiobook experience feels like a personal echo of those questions. It’s a reminder of the fragility of the world we’ve built and the strength we carry within to rebuild it, brick by painstaking brick.
Until our paths cross again, this is Marcus Rivera, signing off with a nod to the survivors in all of us. Keep exploring, keep listening, and let stories like ‘Surviving Home’ remind you of the fight in your own heart. Catch you on the next adventure!
