The Test, Sylvain Neuvel
The Test, Sylvain Neuvel
17 Rating(s)
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The Test

Author: Sylvain Neuvel

Narrator: Neil Shah

Unabridged: 2 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/12/2019

Synopsis

Award-winning author Sylvain Neuvel explores an immigration dystopia in The TestBritain, the not-too-distant future.Idir is sitting the British Citizenship Test.He wants his family to belong.Twenty-five questions to determine their fate. Twenty-five chances to impress.When the test takes an unexpected and tragic turn, Idir is handed the power of life and death.How do you value a life when all you have is multiple choice?

About Sylvain Neuvel

Sylvain Neuvel dropped out of high school at age fifteen. Along the way, he has been a journalist, worked in soil decontamination, sold ice cream in California, and peddled furniture across Canada. He received a PhD in linguistics from the University of Chicago, taught in India, and worked as a software engineer in Montreal. He is also a certified translator. Neuvel is an amateur robotics enthusiast and lifelong fan of all things science fiction. He lives in Montreal.

About Neil Shah

Neil Shah is an Audie-nominated and multi AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator who has recorded over 250 audiobooks spanning across almost every genre, as well as numerous long-form journalism articles. AudioFile magazine has commended him for “an absolutely mesmerizing listening experience” and as “an outstanding narrator who adds a healthy dose of personality to each of the characters.” As a classically trained actor, he has appeared off Broadway and on regional stages, as well as in film and television. He records from his home studio in Oregon’s beautiful Wine Country.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Emily May on March 05, 2019

Why was I so quick to judge this man? I must be nervous, myself. There is a lesson to be learned here. We are all more alike than we think. What. The. Actual. Fuck. The Test is basically a Black Mirror episode in novella format. This tiny book is packed full of social commentary, insights into hum......more

Goodreads review by Lala on June 12, 2019

The Test by Sylvain Neuvel is this little 100 page, weird ass book revolving around a 25-question British Citizenship Test. Twenty-five questions to decide the main character's fate. Twenty-five chances to impress. It's fast and edgy and basically felt like like an episode of Black Mirror. I loved it......more

Goodreads review by Emily on June 17, 2019

(3.75) This novella gave me Black Mirror vibes and if you're looking for something quick and messed up you'll enjoy this! In a dystopian version of our world, to emigrate to the UK, individuals have to pass a test. It's not exactly the type of test you would expect... Personally the last bit "after" b......more

Goodreads review by Nilufer on October 27, 2020

This is harshest, stunning, riveting, thought-provoking and mostly infuriating novella that blows your mind! As soon as you finish it, you start to give blank looks, your mind is whirling and you sit still without moving an inch like a bomb just exploded on your mind and you just got paralyzed, didn......more

Goodreads review by jessica on February 28, 2019

wow. this novella is everything right with short stories. its such a simple concept, but so intelligently executed. and probably one of the most interesting stories about human behaviour and psychological profiling i have ever read. the subtle sci-fi aspect also totally gives 'black mirror' a run fo......more

Quotes

“Each exacting characterization would be an impressive feat; melded together, they form one of the best aural performances of the year.” Booklist (starred audio review)

“Providing memorable, distinct, and believable voices for every character, narrator Neil Shah creates the atmosphere of the live stage for this chilling dystopian story…Shah is especially adept at handling the philosophical repartee between the mystified refugee and his ruthless tormentor….Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.” AudioFile

“A timely novella with a powerful thematic punch…Readers will find themselves living vicariously through Jalil and struggling with every gut-wrenching decision…Thought-provoking and disturbing. A cautionary tale illuminated with dark enlightenment.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“With an intriguing plot, alternating viewpoints, and unexpected turns, Neuvel tells a fast-paced story full of action and takes a hard look into the human psyche.” Library Journal

“Told in alternating chapters that differ in style, tone, and even font, this novella packs the punch of a much larger novel when the exam becomes a life-and-death hostage situation. A timely and thought-provoking story for book-discussion groups and fans of speculative fiction.” Booklist

Awards

  • AudioFile Earphones Award
  • Booklist Editors’ Choice
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