The Nine Billion Names of God | Arthur C Clark | AV-Book | Audiobook | Videobook | ebook

[@TheMrWillje]

The last line gives me goosebumps every time. It's probably the most terrifying story I've ever read.

[@Dingbobber]

One of the best titles I’ve ever seen. So epic.

[@Algrenion]

that last line had me trembling.... it just evokes such a sense of smallness in me so, so good...

[@ticler]

I read this story first when I was a kid. Pants were shat.

[@shady8045]

wait Im reading it for a school project, is it like really fucked up? edit: i finished it and holy shit, I was thinking of just not reading the entire thing and leaving the last couple pages behind, thank the heavens I didnt do that because it did not disappoint in the slightest, in fact if it werent for that... i dont even know man holy shit.

[@KF1]

I'm not sure if this is a story about the megalomania of man... or of God. Interesting note that Clarke would have been aware of: For the stars to go out right then, they would have had to stop burning many years before the Mark V was even invented, due to the travel time of light to reach here, having done so at exactly the right moment for their specific distance. Many would have had to stop burning before mankind ever existed. So even if the list had not been completed, that end would have come just the same. And even so, the timing falls nothing short of eerie, which is what makes it such a great story.

[@frankrosati6403]

You are focusing on a leaf and missing the forest. The world ended. The light beams and the space thru which they were passing no longer existed. That happened all at the same time - when the 9,000,000,000 names of God were written. OR, it was all predestined and God, being omniscient, timed it perfectly and did eliminate the stars hundreds or thousands or millions of years ago as was necessary.

[@frogsgottalent1106]

I love this story. And the compilation in the Spectrum series of books and " Cordwainer Smith ", ' The Hour Of Battle ' by Shekley. These wonderful stories where attention to subtleties and nuances pay great dividends. Those folk without attention spans are missing out on a whole galaxy of wonders.

[@shady8045]

its kinda sad though cause everyone dies ;-;

[@rameyzamora1018]

Terrific! Really enjoyed this reading of a classic.

[@osmia]

I've always loved this story! Thanks for putting it out here :-)

[@BeachLover6571]

Here in 2020 and always enjoying a good story by Clarke. Thanks!

[@Yesica1993]

Thanks for this. Having the text is really helpful. Love this story!

[@o.b.7217]

*Overhead, without any fuzz, the stars were going out.*

[@johnbryant8603]

Thank you so much.

[@genericdragon7260]

I love this story!

[@yabattler]

I'm here because of Ben Bowlin's recommendation, and he has not let me down

[@Ledabot]

I wonder what the world vanishing would have looked like from orbit. Still, the story had great suspense. I would have had to pause many times if i read it alone just to calm down 😂

[@daveyoung4708]

Chilling.

[@harryjones5260]

it would benefit from a longer silent pause after the last line, before the credits.

[@frocco7125]

Shivers!

[@evil_wizard76]

i got chills at the end

[@evansiegel1732]

Mark "V" is read "Mark Five!"

[@sfdko3291]

One of the faves

[@duantorruellas716]

The skys gone out --- Bauhaus

[@christinamorrison646]

SO HAPPY THE STORY MENTIONED GOD=JEHOVAH. THANKYOU.

[@ffrreeaakk]

10/10

[@zebonautsmith1541]

“output circuits” LOL

[@michaelgillett]

Hey

[@joaomarcelo742]

Goddamn

[@WythenshawePhil]

I was expecting a twist at the end. This, I did not get.

[@magnuminnominandoom1672]

Boring ending

[@KF1]

@@magnuminnominandoom1672 Consider exactly when those stars would have had to stop burning for their light to cease at that moment. I find it provocative.

[@Theonewhoknocks879]

@@KF1 wdym?

[@KF1]

@@Theonewhoknocks879 chances are the different stars were hundreds or thousands of light years apart. So one would stop burning a thousand years before, and another at only a hundred etc, just so their combined light would cease at the same moment, and starting from a time before anyone knew even a single name for god, let alone all of them.

[@earnestinecole4030]

"Praise to the Almighty God Jesus Christ!! He is the Father and the Sin!! The humble, holy servant of God the Great King!!!! I love 💖 💖 him, I love 💖💖 this!!!! He's the best ever!!!!!! Glory be to his Holy name, the Ancient of days, the Eternal being, the Everything, the ALL!!! I need the Supreme being!!!!!". I AM BLACK jESUS AKA MICHAEL BLACKSON 🌚🌚🖤🖤

[@richardlecomte6839]

Mmmkay.