The Return

Book IV of Voyagers

By: Ben Bova

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

After more than a century of exploring the stars, Keith Stoner returns to Earth to find that the world he has come back to does not match the one he left. The planet is suffering the consequences of disastrous greenhouse flooding. Most nations have been taken over by ultraconservative religion-based governments, such as the New Morality in the United States. With population ballooning and resources running out, Earth is heading for nuclear war. Stoner, the star voyager, wants to save Earth's people. But first he must save himself from the frightened and ambitious zealots who want to destroy this stranger - and the terrifying message he brings from the stars.©2009 Ben Bova (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Voyagers Series

If you're looking for a story of space, aliens, space travel, this is not your series. The review addresses Voyagers, Voyagers II, III, and The Return.

Plot. A spacecraft is approaching earth — no response to earth signals. A mission from earth determines that the craft is a sarcophagus - the sole passenger is a dead alien. A ship message tells us to study the alien and his ship and send him on his way to other worlds. A USA astronaut decides to stay on the alien ship, goes into stasis for 18 years, and returns to earth. He has changed - and so has the earth.

Liked: Stuck with it, well, because it IS a Bova series. Narration and production are fine. No sex, no objectionable language, clean reads.

Not so hot: This is NOT a typical SciFi, rather a platform for the author to voice concerns regarding world politics, religious zealots, climate change, nuclear war...the earth will perish if humans do not change. There have been other books and movies with the same basic theme - The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Man Who Fell to Earth, The Abyss, more. So, it's been done before - and better, IMO.

Disappointed.

slow to start

Slow to start but worth it. This is totally compelling and vary hard to put down. A Briant ending also..

Another enjoyable story from Bova

Bova writes a great story. Entertaining as well as intriguing. Very enjoyable. Narrator first rate.

Brothers Keeper?

This was a very unexpected story. Bringing two separate story lines together was a genius move. It explores the question of if we really are our brothers keeper.

Great Story telling

If you could sum up The Return in three words, what would they be?

Bold Choice!

What other book might you compare The Return to and why?

Jupiter, by Ben Bova.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he beams aboard the Star Ship.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Earth faces disaster and only one man can save them.

Any additional comments?

Just a great Story, in the tradition of the "Grand Tour" series.