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Rapture (Bioshock) Paperback – 19 July 2011

by John Shirley (Author), Ken Levine (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,701 ratings
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It was the end of World War II. FDR s New Deal had redefined American politics. Taxes were at an all-time high. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had created a fear of total annihilation. The rise of secret government agencies and sanctions on business had many watching their backs. America's sense of freedom was diminishing...and many were desperate to take that freedom back. Among them was a great dreamer, an immigrant who pulled himself from the depths of poverty to become one of the wealthiest and most admired men in the world. That man was Andrew Ryan, and he believed that great men and women deserved better. So he set out to create the impossible, a utopia free from government, from censorship, and from moral restrictions on science, where what you gave is what you got. He created Rapture the shining city below the sea. But this utopia suffered a great tragedy. This is the story of how it all came to be...and how it all ended.
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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Titan Books Ltd
  4. Publication date
    19 July 2011
  5. Dimensions
    11.1 x 3.1 x 17.4 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1848567049
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1848567047
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

"As a companion to the magnificent world the Bioshock series has built up so far, it's essential." --Square Go

"I was absolutely enraptured by Rapture." --The Sixth Axis

"It's worth taking another trip beneath the surface to see just what happened to the art-deco Atlantis." --Xboxer360

"It offers an enthralling, if sombre, first-hand look at the rise and fall of an undersea utopia. It adeptly deals with the philosophical issues of state control, and the nature of what man is prepared to sacrifice in order to fulfill his dreams, and is a worthy read for any Bioshock fan. --Playstation Future

About the Author

John Shirley is a critically acclaimed cyberpunk, sci-fi and horror writer. He wrote the first screenplay for The Crow. He has also written many tie-ins including Constantine and Doom. His short story collection Black Butterflies was named one of the Publisher's Weekly best books of 1998. Ken Levine is a founding member of and creative director at 2K Boston, formerly known as Irrational Games.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Titan Books Ltd (19 July 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1848567049
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1848567047
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11.1 x 3.1 x 17.4 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,701 ratings

About the author

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John Shirley

John Shirley

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John Shirley won the Bram Stoker Award for his story collection Black Butterflies, and is the author of numerous novels, including the best-seller DEMONS, the cyberpunk classics CITY COME A-WALKIN', ECLIPSE, and BLACK GLASS, and his newest novels STORMLAND and the historical western AXLE BUST CREEK. His newest story collections are THE FEVERISH STARS and the special updated reissue of REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY WEIRD STORIES. His next novel, available for pre-order, is the technothriller SUBORBITAL 7, coming Summer 2023 from Titan Books.

He is also a screenwriter, having written for television and movies; he was co-screenwriter of THE CROW. He has been several Year's Best anthologies including Prime Books' THE YEAR'S BEST DARK FANTASY AND HORROR anthology, and his nwest story collection is IN EXTREMIS: THE MOST EXTREME SHORT STORIES OF JOHN SHIRLEY. His novel BIOSHOCK: RAPTURE telling the story of the creation and undoing of Rapture, from the hit videogame BIOSHOCK is out from TOR books; his Halo novel, HALO: BROKEN CIRCLE is coming out from Pocket Books.

His most recent novels are STORMLAND and (forthcoming) AXLE BUST CREEK. His new story collection is THE FEVERISH STARS. STORMLAND and other John Shirley novels are available as audiobooks.

He is also a lyricist, having written lyrics for 18 songs recorded by the Blue Oyster Cult (especially on their albums Heaven Forbidden and Curse of the Hidden Mirror), and his own recordings.

John Shirley has written only one nonfiction book, GURDJIEFF: AN INTRODUCTION TO HIS LIFE AND IDEAS, published by Penguin/Jeremy Tarcher.

John Shirley's many story collections include BLACK BUTTERFLIES, IN EXTREMIS, REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY WEIRD STORIES, THE FEVERISH STARS and LIVING SHADOWS.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
2,701 global ratings

Customers say

Customers say the book provides an in-depth story of how the rapture came to be. They also say the content goes into depth and answers many questions about what happened before the first game. Customers describe the writing style as great and good enough to interest others. They say the characters are brought to life.

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Writing styleBackstoryContentCharactersPacing
88 customers mention ‘Writing style’86 positive2 negative

Customers find the writing style great, engaging, and beautifully written. They also say the book is filled with great attention to detail and convincing characters.

"...story within the Bioshock world as a prequel, and is filled with great attention to detail, convincing characters, insight into Raptures history and..." Read more

"...Wrong! It’s really very good indeed...." Read more

"This is the best book I’ve ever read totally recommend!" Read more

"...In short Bioshock the novel succeeds, it is wonderful, filling in the blanks on Rapture's murky history and keeping me sucked in from one page to..." Read more

36 customers mention ‘Backstory’36 positive0 negative

Customers find the backstory of the book interesting and suspenseful. They also say it's a nice addition to the world of Rapture and an excellent prequel for the first game.

"...with great attention to detail, convincing characters, insight into Raptures history and how it was created, more insight into Frank Fontaine who..." Read more

"...The author has put a lot of care and attention to detail in crafting a believable back story to the very beginnings of rapture through to its..." Read more

"...Very well written, the story is very enganging, going much much deeper than the part told in the Bioshock games...." Read more

"...book for those who haven't played the game as the idea of the story is intriguing...." Read more

22 customers mention ‘Content’22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book really goes into depth and answers many questions about what happened before the original game starts. They say the research was thorough and the dialogue gets a little weak at times. However, some customers say the book adds extra dimension to the games.

"...An involving book, and PROOF that not all videogame books are terribly written...." Read more

"...The research was thorough and only occasionally did dialogue get a little weak, Bill saying 'Da' instead of father, a term I've never heard anyone..." Read more

"...It fills in the blanks to the game (if you've played the first one) and still proves to be a fascinating book for those who haven't played the game..." Read more

"...read and enjoyed without having played the games, it does contain a number of explanations and nods to events, charcters and occurances that are..." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Characters’11 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book to be great. They also say the book brings them to life.

"...as a prequel, and is filled with great attention to detail, convincing characters, insight into Raptures history and how it was created, more..." Read more

"...the beginning of the first bioshock game and does so brilliantly by fleshing out the characters more than the game can and go on you the feeling..." Read more

"...Characters are introduced quickly and effectively, so fans smile at their arrival and those new to the series get a strong-sense of who this person..." Read more

"Good, fast paced story with some very nice character development...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Pacing’3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some find it well-thought-out and engaging, while others say it contains slow and not-so-engaging parts.

"Good, fast paced story with some very nice character development...." Read more

"...I really loved the book, of course, as any book of this kind, it contains slow and not-so-engaging parts, but that it's necessary to create the..." Read more

"Bought as gift the quality is good, came really fast in the post." Read more

"Very good read, my only criticism is it drags a bit about two thirds of the way through but it picks up again." Read more

Helpful for understanding the game s of bioshock and bioshock 2
5 out of 5 stars
Helpful for understanding the game s of bioshock and bioshock 2
Excellent book for me ending was sad
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

Blazkowicz
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't stop reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2011
Verified Purchase
I'm less than 200 pages in, but it's a totally engrossing world that John 'don't call me' Shirley has created. He has created a completely new story within the Bioshock world as a prequel, and is filled with great attention to detail, convincing characters, insight into Raptures history and how it was created, more insight into Frank Fontaine who would go on to be a major player in the original game, and so much more. An involving book, and PROOF that not all videogame books are terribly written. I need to read the whole book for a complete opinion, but honestly this book deserves to be read, even if you haven't played Bioshock before, because the Sci-Fi premise is fascinating.

OK so I finished the book recently, and I'll say that it manages to keep the superb atmosphere throughout the whole novel. Towards the end things are probably sped up a bit too much with a lot of story crammed into the last 50 pages, but other than that, I can't fault this book. On the 2nd readthrough you know the characters and can form a better picture of the early chapters in your mind, and that's what I'm doing now.
26 people found this helpful
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AppleTree
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2018
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I’m a big fan of the bio shock games and this suggestion popped up. I thought it would be the usual cash in kind of thing where it’s been written to make a few quid without the usual thought and care that you often get with those things. Wrong! It’s really very good indeed. The author has put a lot of care and attention to detail in crafting a believable back story to the very beginnings of rapture through to its ultimate implosion. I love a good book, but this was far better than I could’ve hoped and as others have said If anything made me more keen to dust off my collection and play it through again.

The story in this book focuses on Ryan, his philosophy and how the other characters came to be there. It runs through until the beginning of the first bioshock game and does so brilliantly by fleshing out the characters more than the game can and go on you the feeling when reading of living and breathing the rapture world. If you’re a fan especially buy his book and enjoy it. I loved it 99.9% with the only tiny drawback being the print size is quite small and doesn’t do justice to the excellent work contained in the book.
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Thion Cribbes
4.0 out of 5 stars Best book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 June 2024
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This is the best book I’ve ever read totally recommend!
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L. LaBelle
5.0 out of 5 stars A Dive Into The Depths Of Rapture!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 July 2012
Verified Purchase
I am a MASSIVE fan of 'Bioshock', I am that person who spends hours on the wikia, replaying both games, all the DLC's and listening to audio diaries again and again. I went into this novel with an ice-cold eye, just waiting for Shirley to slip up. My eye quickly thawed. It is simply wonderful, there is the perfect balance for both fans and newbies alike. Characters are introduced quickly and effectively, so fans smile at their arrival and those new to the series get a strong-sense of who this person is. No one was introduced in a trite fashion, nothing felt forced or 'tacked-on', all of the famous quotes were seamless and effective. The research was thorough and only occasionally did dialogue get a little weak, Bill saying 'Da' instead of father, a term I've never heard anyone from London's east-end use and Suchong's broken English sometimes becoming a little absurd. There were a couple of errors; one part that made me wince, was claiming 'Arcadia' was 'built' to produce oxygen, when Julie Langford's audio diaries prove otherwise, that it was her enterprising idea to start selling the oxygen they produce and undercut the market from Fontaine (all prompted by Ryan making a walk through Arcadia a luxury.) This is beyond pedantic though and most people wouldn't even notice. In short Bioshock the novel succeeds, it is wonderful, filling in the blanks on Rapture's murky history and keeping me sucked in from one page to the next!
9 people found this helpful
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Luis Miguel Cunha Oliveira
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely amazing, the complete vision of Rapture.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2015
Verified Purchase
As a Bioshock fan, I really loved the book, of course, as any book of this kind, it contains slow and not-so-engaging parts, but that it's necessary to create the big picture of Rapture.

Very well written, the story is very enganging, going much much deeper than the part told in the Bioshock games.

If you are, like me, a Bioshock fan than you'll probably enjoy this book as it will allow you to see Rapture beyond games and learn about the ideas that built and destroyed the Rapture utopia.

If you are not a Bioshock fan or you have not played the games (give them a try, they are really good!) I think you'll enjoy too, maybe not so much because of not having the visual/sound references that the Bioshock players have, but the book will provide you one really interesting story anyway.
One person found this helpful
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Chrissy babes
5.0 out of 5 stars Zef
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 September 2023
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Great read, smashed it in 3 days. Touched on everything but didn't give too much away!
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Martin Johannsen
5.0 out of 5 stars A book for the fan!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2012
Verified Purchase
Bought this book, and boyo didn't i regret it!

I decided to read a book this summer, so i bought this book, thinking it would take me the whole vacation to read it.
This book was so interesting that i read it in 4 days. And it's my first book i've chosen to read myself!
I would recommend this book to the fan that loved the games, and need a book to read! :)
Highly recommend it!

This book packs a lot of action, as well as details about the characters that appear throughout the series. If you've played the games, you will recognize a lot of names, each time bringing a smile upon your face! :)

All in all, a great book!
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Ace40464
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 January 2012
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I have only read a dozen books in my short lifetime and I must say this one is high in the list of my favourite books. It fills in the blanks to the game (if you've played the first one) and still proves to be a fascinating book for those who haven't played the game as the idea of the story is intriguing. The language is easy to follow and the book is written very well as you can follow the story without haven't to think too hard. You get a good sense of knowledge for the characters and their personalities.

Overall, this book is very impressive and I would read it again. Good job Titan! ****
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for Bioshock fans!
Reviewed in Canada on 28 December 2023
Verified Purchase
Really if you are a fan of the games, you must try this! Fantastic read, honestly deserving of a comic adaptation!
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Livia de Souza Oliveira
5.0 out of 5 stars Chegou rapido e Otimo.
Reviewed in Brazil on 19 July 2023
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Realmente uma boa leitura!! Muito confortavél e otimo tamanho!
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KMSx
5.0 out of 5 stars Una obra de arte. Necesario si eres fan de bioshock
Reviewed in Mexico on 3 January 2022
Verified Purchase
Una historia que aporta no mucho, sino TODO para enriquecer los juegos (1 & 2) donde vas conociendo y profundizando acerca de los personajes importantes y secundarios dentro de la historia de como se crea rapture. La historia se divide en 3 eras, desde la planeacion de la ciudad, hasta el estado en la que la conocemos en los videojuegos. Rapture (libro) te proporciona de contexto y profundidad de la situacion en cada momento, hace algunas referencias que ver en los juegos y da explicaciones de como es que funciona todo en rapture dentro de los juegos: porque existen las little sisters? Como y que es el Eve y Adam? La 'ciencia' de los plasmidos? En ningun capitulo llega a sentirse lento o irrelevante, al igual que los personajes que circundan la historia aportan mucho a la trama ya que llegas a identificarte y entender sus motivos y objetivos. Si al igual que yo, sientes que te falto un bioshock 3 en rapture este libro facilmente pasa a ser el primero, seguido por los juegos donde incluso gracias a su redaccion, se siente el ambiente sombrío y viceral de la saga.

El libro aunque esta escrito en ingles, si te animas a comprarlo no siendo tu lengua nativa no te impide en absoluto para disfrutarlo, uno que otro modismo coloquial, y una que otra busqueda en el diccionario son suficientes.

Aspecto fisico del libro: el mio llego en perfecto estado, sin marcas mi maltrato, aunque esto puede variar dependiendo del servicio postal.
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KMSx
5.0 out of 5 stars Una obra de arte. Necesario si eres fan de bioshock
Reviewed in Mexico on 3 January 2022
Una historia que aporta no mucho, sino TODO para enriquecer los juegos (1 & 2) donde vas conociendo y profundizando acerca de los personajes importantes y secundarios dentro de la historia de como se crea rapture. La historia se divide en 3 eras, desde la planeacion de la ciudad, hasta el estado en la que la conocemos en los videojuegos. Rapture (libro) te proporciona de contexto y profundidad de la situacion en cada momento, hace algunas referencias que ver en los juegos y da explicaciones de como es que funciona todo en rapture dentro de los juegos: porque existen las little sisters? Como y que es el Eve y Adam? La 'ciencia' de los plasmidos? En ningun capitulo llega a sentirse lento o irrelevante, al igual que los personajes que circundan la historia aportan mucho a la trama ya que llegas a identificarte y entender sus motivos y objetivos. Si al igual que yo, sientes que te falto un bioshock 3 en rapture este libro facilmente pasa a ser el primero, seguido por los juegos donde incluso gracias a su redaccion, se siente el ambiente sombrío y viceral de la saga.

El libro aunque esta escrito en ingles, si te animas a comprarlo no siendo tu lengua nativa no te impide en absoluto para disfrutarlo, uno que otro modismo coloquial, y una que otra busqueda en el diccionario son suficientes.

Aspecto fisico del libro: el mio llego en perfecto estado, sin marcas mi maltrato, aunque esto puede variar dependiendo del servicio postal.
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Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfekt für alle Fans von Bioshock 1 & 2
Reviewed in Germany on 23 July 2023
Verified Purchase
Für jeden der Bioshock wegen der Story so faszinierend fand, ist dieses Buch perfekt, um noch mehr von der Geschichte von Rapture zu erfahren. Man erfährt mehr über die Hintergründe, Motivationen der wichtigsten Charaktere von Bioshock 1 & 2 und wie das Leben in Rapture vor dem Zusammenfall aussah.
Einzier Kritikpunkt ist, dass man noch mehr Erzählen von der Geschichte hätte können und noch tiefer die Charaktere durchleuchten hätte können.
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Domenico Maieru
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read if you love Bioshock
Reviewed in Italy on 3 March 2023
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Loved the game and loved a lot learning something more about Rapture. The book is a good read, would reccomend.
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