Misspent Youth

By: Peter F. Hamilton

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

A gripping introduction to the world of Peter F. Hamilton’s Commonwealth Saga, Misspent Youth is set in the near-future, over three hundred years before Pandora’s Star and Judas Unchained. For fans of Iain M. Banks and Stephen Baxter.

Read by Steven Crossley, narrator of C.J. Sansom's Shardlake series.

Jeff Baker is granted the gift of eternal youth. However, it’s not all it seems . . .

It is 2040 and, after decades of research, we can finally rejuvenate a human being. At seventy-eight years old, Jeff Baker – renowned inventor and philanthropist – has given the world much of his creative genius. He’s therefore selected as first choice for this gift.

At first, rejuvenation feels like a miracle. Until the glow begins to fade. Personal relationships start to break down and the world waits for more brilliant new work. Living the dream will come at a cost, but can Jeff pay the price?

‘The owner of the most powerful imagination in science fiction’ – Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the Earth

‘Hamilton handles massive ideas with enviable ease’ – Guardian

Critic reviews

Peter F. Hamilton peoples his story with strong characters . . . clever and sharply observant

Incredibly real . . . highly recommended

The world created by Peter is once again full of ideas

Sudden finish

I was surprised by the sudden finish. it felt wrong, yet still right. d e t. d sna. f f

Unnecessary and lewd

No idea what this book would add to the rather good story that is the Commonwealth Saga.

Just reads as an old mans sexual fantasies.

A bit of a slim story.

Compared to the previous 4 books from Peter this was a bit slim in depth an focused too much on lust. Only my opinion. I prefer the depth of the commonwealth series. My review typed on my phone in a hurry.

Waste of a credit

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Actually making this a sci-fi novel rather than a pre-teen wannabe erotica.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Anything but this.

What three words best describe Steven Crossley’s voice?

Slooooooooooooooow, had to listen to the entire novel at 2x speed

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

boredom

Any additional comments?

I have listened to all of Peter F. Hamilton's other books, and they are brilliant, this one is crap beyond belief. It doesn't answer any questions about rejuvenation that you may have from his other books, and the entire story is centered around teen angst. Frankly, there weren't any characters in the book that I actually liked either. Save yourself the credit and get something else, seriously.

More sex than science fiction

More sex than science fiction. Bad soap opera and no likeable characters. Not my thing.