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The Ship #0.5
The Time Being
At 11 Lalla should be enjoying her childhood in London. But this is not London as we know it. In a collapsed society, Lalla struggles to imagine her future. When a government announcement invites her to enjoy a new life in Regent’s Park, Lalla sees a glimmer of hope. But what is she willing to risk?
1 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 12, 2015
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105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
May 16, 2015
This half-hour audiobook is the prequel to the author's novel The Ship. It's set in a future London where the only food is available via tins left over from 'before' - before what, exactly, we are not told - and life as we know it seems to have distinctly changed for the worse!
We follow a young girl and her parents for a short period. Not much happens but the brooding, threatening mood is nicely captured. I'm not sure it was enough to persuade me to try the follow-on piece (I'll have to think about that) but it was entertaining enough to keep me company during a short walk with the dog.
We follow a young girl and her parents for a short period. Not much happens but the brooding, threatening mood is nicely captured. I'm not sure it was enough to persuade me to try the follow-on piece (I'll have to think about that) but it was entertaining enough to keep me company during a short walk with the dog.
September 6, 2020
Well written but too dark for me right now. No reflection on the writers ability.
March 16, 2016
This is free on audible, and I recommend you pick it up. It's dystopian sci-fi, and written absolutely beautifully. This is the art of writing.
June 26, 2015
A short story free from Audible, consisting mainly of an 11-year-old girl in a dystopian London who decides she knows better than her parents and subsequently putting all of them in great danger. I loathed the girl, Lalla – I’m not a huge fan of children, and this is a great example of why: “I want to go.” “No.” “But I want to go!” “No.” “But I want to go!” “No.” Repeat ad infinitum. I once worked for a CVS pharmacy, with its bank of candy bars in front of the registers, and will always remember one father and very young daughter who came in. “Daddy, I want a candy bar.” “No, honey.” “I want a candy bar.” “No.” “But I want one!” “I said no.” “Daddy, I want a candy bar!” “No. Don't make me tell you again.” “DADDY, I WANT A CANDY BAR!” “Fine. Which one?” I wanted to punch him in the nose. So I’m well aware that it’s the parents who are at fault in something like this – the CVS dad caved, and the parents in the story didn’t bother to tell Lalla what was obvious to a listener (“The films aren’t real, you’ll be shot, we’ll be shot, stop asking”). But I still despised Lalla.
The story might be meaningful to someone who has read the book it prequels; for me it broke no new ground and provided no enjoyment to counter my irritation with the main character. The narration by Melody Grove was quite good – I will keep an eye out for her in the future – but otherwise I’m glad this was free. And brief.
The story might be meaningful to someone who has read the book it prequels; for me it broke no new ground and provided no enjoyment to counter my irritation with the main character. The narration by Melody Grove was quite good – I will keep an eye out for her in the future – but otherwise I’m glad this was free. And brief.
March 24, 2015
https://anaslair.wordpress.com/2015/0...
I have been wanting to try audiobooks for a while now, and this was my first choice. I got it free from Audible, the story seemed like something I would enjoy and it was only a little half an hour long, so why not?
I can tell why people say the narrator is very important to the enjoyment of an audiobook. Since I have no basis of comparison, I cannot tell if Ms Melody Grove is considered a good one or not, but I enjoyed it. Her voice was soothing and I could tell when the voices changed and the emotion behind the characters' lines. So yes, I think I chose a good one to start with!
I have to admit I don't find it as easy remembering things to write a proper review later on, though. I remember I thought it was interesting that Lalla, our main character, would realize there are differences between history and stories, which is to say from truth and make believe. Her mother told her many marvelous things, but not all of them were true, or so she thought. Kind of like finding out there is no Santa.
So 11 year old Lalla is our narrator, and she lives in a post-apocalyptic London, where an event called the Collapse had taken place and left people extremely poor, at the mercy of a seemingly ruthless government.
The world creation appears interesting, though I could not tell what exactly had happened. The story is faithful to what an 11 year old would say and think, but at times it does not serve too well to set context. For instance, we are told that Lalla's father goes away a lot, but not why. I could only tell that people were extremely poor and that some could live in flats, like Lalla's family. But I could not figure out if they had jobs, for example. Other things I collected from the story was that there were no children around, and that everyone's main focus was to make sure they renewed their requests to get food and that they always carried their id cards or they would be shot by the armed forces.
I especially could not figure out how computers seemed to run fairly efficiently in a world where so much seemed to have been wiped out. Even though I kept in mind that this story is a prequel to The Ship, I could have used a bit more information. But I guess that will have to wait.
As the story progresses, we find that little Lalla is tired of having no one to play with, and wants to move to Regents Park after watching a movie about it showing all kinds of wonders. You can tell there's something fishy about it, especially when Lalla's parents vehemently tell her she cannot go there, though offering no explanation. But you can tell why it would be so appealing to Lalla. And here the narrator is able to convey her emotions quite well. Lalla will do something silly as all kids must, and it will pique the reader/listener's interest to find out more about this world, which is the job of a prequel, I suppose.
I guess this story had the opposite effect on me though, since I feel that if I had read The Ship and had more context I would have perhaps appreciated it more, and it would have served to complement an already well established concept.
It's still an enjoyable listen and I recommend it.
I have been wanting to try audiobooks for a while now, and this was my first choice. I got it free from Audible, the story seemed like something I would enjoy and it was only a little half an hour long, so why not?
I can tell why people say the narrator is very important to the enjoyment of an audiobook. Since I have no basis of comparison, I cannot tell if Ms Melody Grove is considered a good one or not, but I enjoyed it. Her voice was soothing and I could tell when the voices changed and the emotion behind the characters' lines. So yes, I think I chose a good one to start with!
I have to admit I don't find it as easy remembering things to write a proper review later on, though. I remember I thought it was interesting that Lalla, our main character, would realize there are differences between history and stories, which is to say from truth and make believe. Her mother told her many marvelous things, but not all of them were true, or so she thought. Kind of like finding out there is no Santa.
So 11 year old Lalla is our narrator, and she lives in a post-apocalyptic London, where an event called the Collapse had taken place and left people extremely poor, at the mercy of a seemingly ruthless government.
The world creation appears interesting, though I could not tell what exactly had happened. The story is faithful to what an 11 year old would say and think, but at times it does not serve too well to set context. For instance, we are told that Lalla's father goes away a lot, but not why. I could only tell that people were extremely poor and that some could live in flats, like Lalla's family. But I could not figure out if they had jobs, for example. Other things I collected from the story was that there were no children around, and that everyone's main focus was to make sure they renewed their requests to get food and that they always carried their id cards or they would be shot by the armed forces.
I especially could not figure out how computers seemed to run fairly efficiently in a world where so much seemed to have been wiped out. Even though I kept in mind that this story is a prequel to The Ship, I could have used a bit more information. But I guess that will have to wait.
As the story progresses, we find that little Lalla is tired of having no one to play with, and wants to move to Regents Park after watching a movie about it showing all kinds of wonders. You can tell there's something fishy about it, especially when Lalla's parents vehemently tell her she cannot go there, though offering no explanation. But you can tell why it would be so appealing to Lalla. And here the narrator is able to convey her emotions quite well. Lalla will do something silly as all kids must, and it will pique the reader/listener's interest to find out more about this world, which is the job of a prequel, I suppose.
I guess this story had the opposite effect on me though, since I feel that if I had read The Ship and had more context I would have perhaps appreciated it more, and it would have served to complement an already well established concept.
It's still an enjoyable listen and I recommend it.
January 7, 2016
This is another gem found for free on audible.com. This was a dystopian that didn't explain much, how things came to be, what is actually going on, or what will happen in the near future, but I think that was the beauty of this story. It left a lot to the imagination. Therefore, we, the readers, can stretch this story into a million different stories based on how each of us perceived it. If you got a minute to spare, check this one out!
December 26, 2015
Written as a prequel to YA dystopian novel The Ship, short story 'The Time Being' introduces us to Lala at 11 years old at a time when she wanted to be a 'once upon a time girl' in order to find friends. So she does something foolish as would we all at that age.
It was a suspenseful read and there is potential for character growth, but I wish there had been a way for the author to show us a bit more of the world (mostly because I'll only read dystopian novels if the world is interesting). Still I know there are people who will appreciate the mystery and I'm interested in checking out the novel since this was well written. Maybe I'll get the audio-book, because Melody Grove did a good job narrating.
It was a suspenseful read and there is potential for character growth, but I wish there had been a way for the author to show us a bit more of the world (mostly because I'll only read dystopian novels if the world is interesting). Still I know there are people who will appreciate the mystery and I'm interested in checking out the novel since this was well written. Maybe I'll get the audio-book, because Melody Grove did a good job narrating.
February 2, 2016
I spotted this short story while looking for audiobooks. I thought that the story sounded interesting and decided to it give a try.
At first I didn't really enjoy the story as I felt not much was happening. I carried on listening hoping that it would get better. It wasn't till Lalla started describing a offer to Regent Park that the story got my attention. I wanted to know what was going on and started asking questions such as What was going to be there if she went? There seemed more to it to me.
This story left me wanting more which I feel is the downside to short stories. I haven't been put off though and plan to read 'the ship' which this story is a prequel to.
3.5/5
At first I didn't really enjoy the story as I felt not much was happening. I carried on listening hoping that it would get better. It wasn't till Lalla started describing a offer to Regent Park that the story got my attention. I wanted to know what was going on and started asking questions such as What was going to be there if she went? There seemed more to it to me.
This story left me wanting more which I feel is the downside to short stories. I haven't been put off though and plan to read 'the ship' which this story is a prequel to.
3.5/5
March 19, 2016
Now THIS is what I'm talking about.
The prequel to The Ship is everything I expected the main book to be.
You learn more about the dystopian London the characters came from, and it gives you access to the foundations of Lalla's stupidity and selfishness.
Maybe because there is a bit more world development and insight into the dystopian side of the story, or maybe because it was nice to read something less annoying than The Ship... I liked this.
The prequel to The Ship is everything I expected the main book to be.
You learn more about the dystopian London the characters came from, and it gives you access to the foundations of Lalla's stupidity and selfishness.
Maybe because there is a bit more world development and insight into the dystopian side of the story, or maybe because it was nice to read something less annoying than The Ship... I liked this.
April 24, 2019
4.5. Love this little sci-fi novella gem. Looking forward to starting the first book.
June 28, 2020
I'm not really sure how I feel about this......it seems like a seriously condensed, not at all thoughtful version of every dystopian novel ever written. I think if it wasn't a short story, but had been more closely examined as a whole novel, the kernel of storytelling possibility would have grown into a fairly good story.
- Update June 2020 -
I fairly enjoyed this now that I know it is a prequel story and is setting up plot and characters for a larger narrative. Context is definitely key.
- Update June 2020 -
I fairly enjoyed this now that I know it is a prequel story and is setting up plot and characters for a larger narrative. Context is definitely key.
February 17, 2015
This short story has the potential to be a full length novel, in the same genre as Hunger Games or Divergent. But as of right now, it feels lacking. It is a short story though, so it was not intended to give you every detail, but it still feels like the characters lack some development.
I do recommend the book, as it is a very quick read, and allows the reader to use their imagination.
I do recommend the book, as it is a very quick read, and allows the reader to use their imagination.
January 11, 2017
Read this 30 minute Audible free short story on January 7, 2017. Makes me want more, so on to The Ship, of which it's a prequel. Since it's "only" a short story, I'm not officially counting it toward the challenge this year. Since I want to preserve the date read, I'm adding a book to the total I want to read. :)
September 17, 2015
I received this book for free on Audible.
I loved this prequel and am so excited to find out that there is a novel called "The Ship" as well. I am not usually a fan of dystopian themes, but this one caught me.
I loved this prequel and am so excited to find out that there is a novel called "The Ship" as well. I am not usually a fan of dystopian themes, but this one caught me.
March 1, 2015
The setting is interesting: A time where we suffer because we have used up our resources, but I did not feel the drama!
October 15, 2015
This author needs a five star for this novella.
Very short. Good narrator, enough to get and keep my interest.
What more do you need from a teaser?
WaAr
Very short. Good narrator, enough to get and keep my interest.
What more do you need from a teaser?
WaAr
December 4, 2021
2.5 stars
June 27, 2023
( Format : Audiobook )
"Regents Park."
Another short story found lurking at the bottom of my Audible 'to read' pile, made even shorter by having to speed up the playback speed by 4 in order to make the narrator's very girly voice ( Melody Grove) bearable to hear for half an hour although her actual presentation was otherwise good.. Apparently the prequel to a book entitled The Ship, it tells of Lalia, a privileged eleven years old girl living alone with her parents in a flat in post apocalyptic London. Nothing grows anymore, the ground is poisoned, though why we are not told. And like most children of her age she wants the excitement promised in a film shown on the T.V. and thinks she knows better than her parents.
Nicely written with some good points but not enough to be a satisfying stand alone. Perhaps if I had read the book first? But I haven't and nor do I intend to do so.
Don't bother.
"Regents Park."
Another short story found lurking at the bottom of my Audible 'to read' pile, made even shorter by having to speed up the playback speed by 4 in order to make the narrator's very girly voice ( Melody Grove) bearable to hear for half an hour although her actual presentation was otherwise good.. Apparently the prequel to a book entitled The Ship, it tells of Lalia, a privileged eleven years old girl living alone with her parents in a flat in post apocalyptic London. Nothing grows anymore, the ground is poisoned, though why we are not told. And like most children of her age she wants the excitement promised in a film shown on the T.V. and thinks she knows better than her parents.
Nicely written with some good points but not enough to be a satisfying stand alone. Perhaps if I had read the book first? But I haven't and nor do I intend to do so.
Don't bother.
April 21, 2020
This was a short story I read a week ago. It's barely of 31 minutes but I wanted to try short stories mostly because I didn't felt like reading much. It's a dystopian story based in some far off future (which looks not so far given the condition of our world). It had these Hunger Games refrences and some aspects of Divergent and was told by the POV of a young child and it was really beautifully narrated. 💛4/5🌟
July 21, 2017
Well now. That was a well-written, bleak little piece of, "Oh my God, what the hell" dystopia. I have to admit it doesn't make me overly curious about the main series, only the backstory. How did the world end up poisoned and yet still livable? What's actually going on in Regent's Park? How did England end up under military rule?
March 6, 2018
Forgot I had this on audible as well. This was an interesting listen but I found the world this girl living in to be quite depressing. I wouldn't be able to survive in a world like this one. I know it was only about 30mins of audio but I could tell how the rest of the place must be.
This does tempt me however to get The Ship book or audio later this year. Maybe.:)
This does tempt me however to get The Ship book or audio later this year. Maybe.:)
April 28, 2018
While the main character (the little girl) really annoyed me, this was a great short novel. It was a perfect depiction of a child completely understanding an apocalyptic future. I couldn’t help but feel that this must be what children feel today in war torn nations such as Syria. My heart went out to this family throughout the entire read. Highly recommend.
April 2, 2018
I read this after finishing The Ship. This little prequel set the scene and the underlying unsettling feeling of the main book.
I am not sure if this would have the same impact if reading prior to The Ship.
I am not sure if this would have the same impact if reading prior to The Ship.
August 12, 2019
Ethereal, spooky and dystopic. Antonia Honeywell crafts this short story so that you feel emotion and realise that we are not that far from this path if we don't look after humanity and the planet. Amazing story with characters that will break your heart.
May 24, 2017
Meh meh meh. Boring.
December 7, 2017
I was disappointed to learn that this is a short story. Totally gets you hooked and then its over. :(
May 20, 2018
Certainly interesting.... short... but interesting :)
August 8, 2018
2.5 reviewed at www.fantasyliterature.com
May 10, 2019
This is really just a prelude to the series.
November 15, 2019
Had me enthralled from beginning to end
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews