Spokenword Audio, August 2013
Read by John Banks, The Sound
Within is a short story speculating on the nature of being; whether there is such a thing as an "inner" and an "outer"
life; what the limits of "space" - both mental as well as physical - might be; and how such "spaces" are defined by their
lack of tangible characteristics.
The story only lasts six minutes, but during that limited running-time author Gardner admirably fulfils
what I believe to be the principal purpose of science fiction; to speculate on the possible while keeping the action
rooted in the believable. This is not a "fantasy" tale (depicting a world far removed from our own) but an ontological
speculation on human beings' relationship to the worlds they inhabit.
Hauntingly read by Banks, The Sound Within is ideal entertainment for anyone who enjoys quality
writing, but only has a limited time to listen.
