Richard: Distant Son Audiobook

At the outset of the author’s galactic saga, a rather modest-appearing godlike figure (middle-aged, nondescript, wearing a “shabby” fedora) creates what is destined to be Earth. Billions of years later, the multi-species citizens of the Milky Way galaxy spacefaring galactic empire (which resembles the quasi-feudal worlds found in fantasy novels) only know Earth as a legend, a dreaded place to which the kingdom’s traditional enemies are banished. On Earth, Richard, an Ohio teen, receives news of his destiny as heir to the throne of the Milky Way. This startling revelation is conveyed first by Richard’s strange elderly neighbors, then by a talking sofa—a miracle-working guardian who shape-shifts into a gentle humanoid whom Richard dubs “AAL.” Richard is shown the unique and enigmatic DNA markers proving that he is indeed the lone descendant of the Plantagenet bloodline: heroic (mostly) defenders of all their varied subjects and a benevolent force throughout space. With a loyal “artificial life” duplicate of Richard duly created to take his place back home, the adolescent is taken by AAL to tour Krel, the capital planet of his kingdom—which turns out to be populated by many creatures from human myth and lore, including centaurs and winged horses. Here is the place Richard will wield absolute power once his
training is complete. But as much as AAL seems to be Richard’s strongest advocate, mentor, and guardian, the boy suspect he is holding back information as the teen confronts the challenges, responsibilities, and pitfalls of finding himself a prophesied leader-messiah across a space-scape of billions of worshipful worlds (and yes, there is a Dune reference thrown in for the cognoscenti).
In its outline, this is the umpteenth update of the “chosen one” heroic fantasy as identified by mythology scholar Joseph Campbell, with forebears ranging from King Arthur to Harry Potter. Hickman’s distinction is the wealth of detail he brings to this narrative of the most vitally important person alive, a juvenile whose every word and whim has the force of law and dictates instant policy. Richard (who fortuitously is SF savvy) must negotiate a minefield of enemies, courtly intrigue, and diplomatic tangles, which the hero approaches with simple common sense and fairness. Readers assuming this to be milder YA fare should be warned that Richard’s virginity is one of the sacrifices he makes: “Since you are a fifteen-year-old with raging hormones and have had a taste of sex, it is unlikely you will stop. Once you have a taste of the honey, you will dare to venture to the hive again and again,” states AAL, accurately, when the act takes place—explicitly described, it may even surprise readers accustomed to taboos being overturned. The finale wraps things up nicely; it’s not a cliffhanger, but
clearly sets up the next installment.
Imaginative SF worldbuilding energizes the shopworn premise of an average kid destined for legendary deeds.