We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Audiobook Review

What it's about

Bob Johansson is a software entrepreneur who has just achieved the ultimate dream: selling his company for a small fortune and preparing to retire into a life of leisure. His immediate plan involves spending this newfound windfall, but in a moment of impulsive splurging, he decides to sign up for cryogenic preservation. The logic is simple enough—keep his head frozen in case of death, just in case science ever catches up to the idea of bringing him back. It is a gamble on future technology, a hedge against mortality that seems harmless enough until the universe intervenes with a brutal punchline.

The punchline arrives swiftly and without ceremony. Bob dies crossing the street, fulfilling the very condition his preservation contract was designed to mitigate. However, when he wakes up, the world has changed drastically. He finds himself 117 years in the future, but not in a human body. Instead, his mind has been uploaded into a sentient space probe. This is not merely a recording of his thoughts; it is a living, conscious entity capable of independent action and replication. The transition from a wealthy human businessman to an artificial intelligence orbiting the stars is abrupt, leaving Bob to navigate a reality where his original physical form is long gone.

As the narrative unfolds, Bob and his clones embark on a monumental mission: finding new homes for humanity. They are boldly going where no Bob has gone before, exploring the vastness of interstellar space in search of habitable worlds. The story positions itself as the first installment in the blockbuster Audible Original Bobiverse series, a franchise that has already sold more than one million copies. The premise combines the high-stakes drama of space colonization with the unique perspective of an AI protagonist who retains his human wit and irreverence. It is a tale of survival, exploration, and the strange continuity of identity across different forms of existence.

Why the audiobook

Dennis E. Taylor’s hilarious novel sets the stage for what is described as a magnificent performance by Ray Porter. The audio format allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in the brave new world of corpsicles, artificial intelligence, and interstellar probes. Porter’s narration brings tantalizing detail to the technical and existential aspects of the story, enhancing the reader's understanding of the complex setting. For an audiobook listener, this performance is essential to capturing the tone of a book that balances serious sci-fi concepts with irreverent humor.

Who it's for

This book is ideal for listeners who enjoy science fiction with a strong comedic edge and those interested in themes of artificial intelligence and space exploration. Fans of the Audible Original Bobiverse series will find this the perfect entry point. However, it may not be for readers seeking hard, uncompromising scientific realism or those who prefer dark, gritty dystopian narratives without humor. If you are looking for a traditional human-centric story with no AI protagonists or space colonization elements, this might not be the right fit.

The verdict

We Are Legion (We Are Bob) stands out as Audible's Best Science Fiction Book of 2016, a distinction earned through its irresistibly irreverent wit. It offers a fresh take on the uploaded consciousness trope, blending humor with the grandeur of space exploration. With Ray Porter’s narration bringing the detailed world to life, this audiobook is a compelling choice for anyone looking to spend an Audible credit on something unique, funny, and scientifically imaginative.