Gavin Lees

Poldark Fan Fiction

Revisado: 09-15-23

This starts very promisingly, with storms, mysterious strangers, and witchcraft. It feels like it's going to be a Du Maurier-esque Cornish Gothic. Alas, after two chapters, it descends into tedious romance, cribbing plotlines from Poldark and dragging on without any real tension. I gave up with 3 hours to go.

The narrator was fantastic, though, and brought the characters to life through a variety of voices and accents.

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Great reading, with one quibble

Revisado: 04-02-23

"Scythe" is pronounced SIGH-th, not SKY-th. Other than that, a really great performance of the novel.

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Painful

Revisado: 01-27-23

The title is cleverer than it seems. This really is a tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing.

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Couldn't Finish

Revisado: 01-07-22

I normally like Simon Callow, but his reading here is terrible. It's like he hasn't read the book and is just improvising a theatrical performance. A performance that mainly goes: BOOM BOOM BOOM...mutter...mumble.......whisper... Even when the dynamics of the text don't demand it.

Also, Simon, "mourning" is not pronounced "moor-ning", so quit pretending like it is.

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Pure Quality!

Revisado: 03-06-20

Chris McQueer is one of the most exciting new Scottish authors. His short stories brim with humour and inventiveness, told in a Glaswegian vernacular that's authentic and engaging.

Having the pleasure of hearing them read in the author's own voice is a real treat, and he does a great job of bringing his characters to life.

This was a big step up from his last (also brilliant) collection. I can't wait to hear what he produces next!

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An Oldie, But Goodie

Revisado: 08-20-19

These are simply brilliant adaptations (better even than the Clive Exton TV adaptation) that keep all the wonderful humour and vibrant language of Wodehouse intact. The cast is simply superb, too, with Richard Briers as the perfect Bertie Wooster - his delivery had me in stitches!

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Amateur Garbage

Revisado: 08-20-19

This sounded promising - a rock 'n' roll fantasy adventure that would poke loving fun at the genre. Sadly, the idea is half-formed and doesn't really go beyond calling the mercenary groups "bands" and the odd reference. What's left is a plodding, over long chunter through basic fantasy tropes, with all the skill and execution of a fifth grade creative writing assignment.

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The most delectable language

Revisado: 07-02-19

The plot of this novel is well known, especially thanks to the Hitchcock adaptation, but it's the slimmest quality of the book. What really shines is the rich interior of the narrator - all of her neuroses and paranoia spread out like a tapestry - and, especially in this audio production, Du Maurier's language. She takes an entire chapter to have a character walk up a lane, but rather than boring, it's a joy to just lose yourself in the vivid, atmospheric writing. Anna Massey takes great care and pleasure with this in the audio production, chewing and savouring every word like an indulgent chocolate.

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A Classic Tale with an All Star Cast

Revisado: 04-10-19

I hadn't read Dracula since my teens, and this was a wonderful way to re-explore the novel. The cast do a superb job of bringing each narrator to life (particularly Mina's sections). The novel is much as I remembered, but boy does it drag in some places - especially given the barnstorming opening, and the Whitby scenes.

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The League of Gentlemen go full horror

Revisado: 12-31-18

I had been a fan of the movie for some years (a great example of the folk horror genre) and knew that it had been an influence on the League of Gentlemen team -- they even did a commentary for the recent Blu-Ray re-release. Having them now partake in a reimagined audio version is a sheer joy! The entire cast is phenomenal (including Linda Hayden from the original film) and deliver excellent performances.

The story itself adheres closely to the original, but places (understandably) more emphasis on the dialogue between characters. As such, there are some great new lines ("Do you like my crown? It's made of things that grow!") and the horror placed in the realm of the imagination, rather than wonky 1970s special effects.

This is highly recommended to fans of the League, or of horror in general. In the wake of a folk horror renaissance, it's nice to have this reminder of its roots.

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