The Reality Dysfunction

By: Peter F. Hamilton

Narrated by: John Lee

The first in the Night's Dawn trilogy, The Reality Dysfunction is a sweeping, intergalactic adventure from the master of space opera, Peter F. Hamilton. For fans of Iain M. Banks and Alastair Reynolds.

An extinct race named this phenomenon 'the Reality Dysfunction'. It is a nightmare that has haunted us since the dawn of time . . .

In AD 2600, the human race is finally realizing its potential. The galaxy’s colonized planets host a multitude of diverse cultures. Genetic engineering has defeated disease and produced extraordinary space-born creatures. Huge fleets of sentient trader starships thrive, living on the wealth created by industrializing entire star systems. And throughout inhabited space, the Confederation Navy keeps the peace.

Then something goes catastrophically wrong. On a primitive colony planet, a renegade criminal encounters an utterly alien entity. And this unintended meeting triggers the release of those that should never see the light – threatening everything we’ve become . . .

'Hamilton puts British sci-fi back into interstellar overdrive' – The Times

The Reality Dysfunction is followed by The Neutronium Alchemist and The Naked God.

Critic reviews

Absolute vintage science-fiction. Hamilton puts British sci-fi back into interstellar overdrive

An epic in the traditional sense of the word . . . thunderously enjoyable

best sci-fi books ever

There are no better sci-fi books out there. I have all the hard copies, the audio books are brilliant for driving to work.

Worth every bit

I've read the book before and listening to it again was wonderful. While the narrator tends to give every character a slightly snobbish tone, and it takes some getting used to, he does a very good job with accents and emotion. Very well done now on to the next book!

Great story/Cringy performance

I like his voice when he speaks naturally. But when he tries to make a feminine voice it becomes so cringe and sounds so ugly. The rest of his attempts at changing his performance is just plainly annoying. I absolutely hate his performance, which have taken so much from this great story, I actually bought these books many years ago but only recently have I been able to listen to it. Who ever chose this terrible voice artist probably cost a lot people enjoyment.

Interesting but jumpy storyline

Read it on paper first liked a lot. Hearing was not so good. Too much jumping between different storylines without clear reference.
Story was very interesting but too much sex, I think there was no chapter without it.

Great story, well made and satisfying finale

Overall great begining of the series. The narrator was great, my only issue is not long enough pauses between chapters. The story starts bit slow, but it gets good after a while.