Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

  • In the Image of Man

  • A Small God, a Handful of Followers and the End of the World
  • By: Mark Long
  • Narrated by: Nicky Griffiths
  • Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)
Offer ends May 1st, 2024 11:59PM GMT. Terms and conditions apply.
£7.99/month after 3 months. Renews automatically.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
In the Image of Man cover art

In the Image of Man

By: Mark Long
Narrated by: Nicky Griffiths
Get this deal Try for £0.00

Pay £99p/month. After 3 months pay £7.99/month. Renews automatically. See terms for eligibility.

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £14.99

Buy Now for £14.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Missing Piece cover art
The Flat on the 7th Floor cover art
The Last Interview of Ada Fenn cover art
The Exit Facility cover art
One by One cover art
Murder-de-Sac cover art
The Vanishing Office cover art
Half-Past Tomorrow cover art
Mindslip: Evolution's Nemesis cover art
The Evidence cover art
Found cover art
Silent Cry cover art
Beyond Cutting cover art
Hero: A Simon Serrailler Short Story cover art
I Will Make You Pay cover art
The Silent Mother cover art

Summary

Allow me to introduce Bob, the small god of vending machine repair and computers. He may be new at the job, and he is still learning, but he is a very hard worker.

As the story unfolds, there is an ancient godling adrift in Berkshire, England, and he needs believers if he is going to keep existing. This tiny god, who comes to be known as Bob, is small, powerless, and unseen. Drifting through the ages, he is brought to consciousness following a tragedy and must gain followers to stay alive - and without belief, there is no capacity for miracles.

Bob goes to work, invisible and inexperienced, silently watching and hoping for people to love him. He learns all about vending machines and then computers, but humans prove much more complicated. As the days pass, his power increases as his unknowing colleagues mutter “oh God” and start to believe, even if only a little.

But modern life takes its toll, even on a higher deity. Bob needs a sacrifice, a token of dedication. Not any old sacrifice, though - no blood and guts are needed here, just a chocolate bar given freely in his name. 

Ray Charles and Mary Callaghan had no idea that their lives were going to be changed forever when this weak but desperate small god introduced himself. Ray’s anger over his wrecked car tire draws Bob like a beacon to him. Mary’s emotional turmoil teaches Bob all about love and betrayal. He watches over her, but not even a god is safe from making serious mistakes. Soon, a psychiatrist, the police, and even the Pope are brought into the confusion. On top of all that, Bob finds that he needs a far bigger congregation if he is going to save the world from impending doom. Can he do it?

The first in a quirky, fun trilogy, written in a tongue-in-cheek style by author Mark Long, this story looks at human nature and belief systems in a distorting mirror. It is charming, sweet, and thought-provoking.

©2018 Mark Long (P)2021 Mark Long

What listeners say about In the Image of Man

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Truly Original

It’s not often a story is truly original. Normally they follow similar scenarios set in differing settings. Not this story.
If you want something different then this is it. Very refreshing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

Not my type of book

The narrator was very good, loved her ability to switch different accents, and even the foreign languages.
Story sounded a bit naive to me, more like a children's book. I personally, struggled to finish it. Found the real (meant to be) dramatic part of the book a bit matter of fact.
The book just didn't touch me in any way.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

Unique and very human

Excellent narration, a story with heart. The characters are people I recognise in my own life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!