Category: Books and Audiobooks

Well, this category is about books. Not just reading, but often for me, listening, as I do love audiobooks a lot. Although you can probably tell that by now.

Doctor Who and the Drosten’s Curse

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Doctor Who and the Drosten's Curse
Doctor Who and the Drosten’s Curse Audio Book

I bought this with some trepidation as I wasn’t entirely sure about the write up and the reviews on Audible. Also, the last Dr Who audio book I bought (non Big Finish that is) was pretty bad, “Corpse Marker” had a lot of promise as it came out of one of my favourite stories, The Robots of Death, but it certainly didn’t live up to that high standard.

Even so, I thought I’d try this, and, so far, it isn’t bad. It is very amusing, and very reminiscent of the Douglas Adams 4th Doctor stories. Witty, amusing, quirky. However, perhaps too much so. In a way, it sound like it has been written almost to be like those Douglas Adams stories, and in a way sails to close to that particular wind. Having said that, I’m not hating it. In fact, I’m quite enjoying it, even though at times it seems like there’s been more attention to the witty writing style than the actual story.

I haven’t finished it as yet, but when I do I’ll let you know what I really think. With no spoilers of course.

Return to Telos, a great end to the series

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Doctor Who, Return to Telos
Doctor Who, Return to Telos

So that was a good episode. Not a bad story in the end. A good way to finish off the season, but not the best. Not as good as some of the others in this season. I’m probably being too picky about these stories, as they certainly are very good, well devised and beautifully produced. But when Big Finish can be so good at their job you end up expecting more and more and more.

I’m sure it’s too much to ask. Roll on the next season, with Romana as well!

David Sylvian’s book … Hypergraphia

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David Sylvian's Hypergraphia
David Sylvian’s Hypergraphia

So Mr Sylvian has a new book coming out in November. There’s a micro site dedicated to it already and it looks interesting. As a fan I’ve already ordered my copy although I didn’t get a chance to get one of the signed copies. Never mind.

As you’d expect it looks pretty beautiful inside too.

David Sylvian's Hypergraphia, inside
David Sylvian’s Hypergraphia, inside

Personally I’d prefer it if he released some new music too, but I’ll settle for this. I’m sure it’ll be an enlightening read.

David Sylvian's Hypergraphia, inside
David Sylvian’s Hypergraphia, inside

New things coming from Big Finish

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There’s some great new stories coming from Big Finish in the not too distant future, and I’m really looking forward to them coming out. I think it’s interesting the directions that Big Finish have decided to take with some of their new ideas. It’s an interesting way to blend together the original (or as I think of it, best) Doctor Who, with some of the better elements (or more like the elements that I think are actually worth watching at all) of the new Doctor Who.

Big Finish are going to produce, or rather have produced two new box sets. The first is the story of River Song. I thought she was a good character in the new Doctor Who, and in some ways overshadowed the Doctor himself. It’ll be good to hear a whole box set of stories around her character.

The second box set is about Winston Churchill and is voiced by Ian McNeice. I thought that he was great as Winston in Doctor Who, so again it’ll be good to hear these stories.

There’s a bit of a wait for both of these, they’re not available until January next year.

The final book in the Enemy series is coming … in October 

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It’s a bit longer to wait than I’d hoped really but what can you do. I’d hoped it would be out in September, but it appears that the books is coming out on the 28th of October now. Which isn’t a big issue I guess. I just have about another 2 months to wait before it arrives.

Survivors Sound Design

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I’ve been listening to Big Finish’s Survivors series one again and this time in a very quiet environment. One of the things that’s struck me is that the sound design on this audiobook is actually amazing. The attention to detail in it was something that I found amazing when I listened to it closely and without distraction, interruption or noise. From the reworking of the original soundtrack to the atmospheric incidental audio and music, to the sound effects and stereo field. It’s very impressive indeed.

Of course it does make me realise just how poor my normal listening environment is. It makes me realise just how much I’m missing from a lot of the audio I listen to, or rather, consume, as I think that it’s more like that than real listening, or deep listening.

Doctor Who: Suburban Hell

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DW4D0405_suburbanhell_1417

Yet another excellent story in this series of fourth Doctor adventures. This is so reminiscent of the original TV series, and of course, beautifully written as ever, with lots of great lines and wit. I actually think that this has been one of the best 4th Doctor series that Big Finish has produced. I’m really impressed, and also sad that there aren’t so many left until the end.