This is such a quick, easy and captivating story for anyone who enjoys some sci-fi escapism. Some books definitely lose something being translated to an audiobook, but since Sleeping Giants is already told in an interview format it just becomes even more immersive. Listening to Sleeping Giants is like rifling through old interview tapes in some locked-up government basement.
This is the second time I've listened to this book and I still enjoy it the second time around (although maybe not as much as the first). I even got my husband who is not at all a book reader to join me for the first time on this one. If you love a mystery podcast do yourself a favor and pick this up.
The story follows a team of experts who are trying to understand a mysterious giant hand. The endeavor is coordinated if not led by a Nameless Interviewer. Each file follows as he interviews and follows the project from afar. There is something inherently conspiratorial about all of it.
While following the book from interviews is fun to listen to it makes it hard to understand the characters of the world. It's hard to get a clear picture of people and places when the only descriptions and exposition that you get is when characters talk about each other. The phrase "unreliable narrator" doesn't begin to cover it. Instead of a single source of unreliable perspective, you have more than a handful of different conflicting perspectives. That are all being interviewed by a shadowy figure. It can be incredibly hard to find the truth, perhaps that is why the mystery is so engaging.
The book is easy to read and it lends itself to audio. The downside to this is that, unlike other books where you lose detail on audio, that detail and depth isn't here to lose. It's a good book and enjoyable read but if you're looking for science the level of The Expanse or high fantasy like Lord of the Rings then you're better off finding something else.
There are many places where I found myself wanting to know more or go deeper into the data of the science or the nuance of the stories. The files are short bits of information that the reader gets over a long period of time. We don't sit with these characters all the time. Everything is limited in scope. Sometimes that adds mystery to the story. Sometimes that leaves the reader wishing there was more.
Overall, the second time around I still enjoyed the story. I still had moments of surprise and fun reading it. I will still recommend it to friends.
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