Adventures in Scifi Publishing has an unexpurgated 40 minute interview with Larry Niven. Have a listen to the |MP3| which was recorded late last month at CONjecture 6 in San Diego,Ca. Larry was Guest of Honor at the con, which had a theme of “Alien Cultures.” Cool!
Or subscribe to AiSFP podcast via the feed:
http://scifipublishing.libsyn.com/rss
Judyth Piazza’s The Student Operated Press is a site designed to give aspiring student writers the opportunity to have their work published, no matter their lack of prior experience. Among the content found on TheSOP.org are three interviews with SFF authors:
-An interview with Greg Bear from |MP3| about his recent novel Quantico (read our review of the unabridged audiobook HERE).
-John Moore author of A Fate Worse Than Dragons |MP3|.
-Isobel Noble author of the post-apocalyptic “Ruin” series, the first two books of which are: The Tent City and The City Of Light |MP3|.
First published in Interzone #202, The Unsolvable Death Trap was nominated for a British Fantasy Award. It is an existential action story with an SF environment and a musical bent. Written by the persiflagerate variety show host, Jack Mangan, who is also responsible for the popular Spherical Tomi podiobook, it is narrated by Beam Me Up‘s own Paul Cole.
The Unsolvable Death Trap
By Jack Mangan; Read by Paul Cole
|MP3| – [UNABRIDGED]*
Podcaster: Beam Me Up
Podcast: October 6th 2007
*One minor irritation, as this was originally broadcast on American radio there is a bleep-out over some execrative dialogue. Stupid FCC.
A Clockwork Orange
By Anthony Burgess; Read by Tom Hollander
7 CDs – 8 hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Caedmon /Harper Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9780061170621
Themes: / Science Fiction / Dystopia / Youth Violence / Mind Control /
Anthony Burgess’ classic novel A Clockwork Orange is likely familiar to most science fiction fans through Stanley Kubrick’s film version. But the book is itself arguably the best post-Orwell dystopia novel. This new audiobook version, the first unabridged commercial release, captures every enthralling and disturbing word.
Set in a not too distant future the story centers around an anti-hero Alex, a fifteen year old juvenile delinquent, and his rather violent life. Alex and his three droogs (friends) are a small gang, one of many that preys upon this future society. These youth gangs are a very well developed subculture with their own slang called “Nadsat.” Alex enjoys his life of cruelty and commits several horrendous crimes early in the story (this is not for the squeamish). Eventually Alex becomes the subject of a government mind-control experiment which raises many questions about the value of free will.
Although the story fails to predict technological advances (word processors, CDs, etc) other parts, such as the “Ludovico Technique” seem even more plausible now. It is a fascinating world due in part to the wonderfully imagined Nadsat. Here the audiobook really impresses. Tom Hollander’s thoroughly professional reading of the story brings out the richness of the language and the setting. His performance helps make this one of the best single narrator audiobooks that I have ever heard!
It is an amazing story that both fascinates and repels. One of the best novels of the twentieth century has been given a worthy audiobook translation. It is not quite perfect for those new to the story, however. Anyone who has not read the full version, including the controversial twenty-first chapter, is advised to skip the first two tracks of the audiobook until after they have finished the story. These tracks are the spoiler filled introduction. I am very ambivalent about the inclusion of the twenty-first chapter. I feel the same about this chapter as most Alien/Aliens fans feel about Alien 3, but the inclusion does allow listeners to make up their own minds. Overall this is an A+ production of a great story. And I’m proud to have proved that it is possible to review A Clockwork Orange without overusing Nadsat to prove one’s coolness, O my little brothers.
Posted by Dave Tackett
BBC Radio 4 has splashed up a very pretty new website for their new Dirk Gently series of Radio Dramas. Lots of goodies to be found about the production including a video trailer of the series. Also cool, the all in one nature of the site makes listening to the shows super easy, even for folks not habitating on Albion itself.
Check it out HERE.
We all might want to have a listen to the BBC Radio 4 Book At Bedtime slot for next week. They’ll be airing a tale in five parts, Monday to Friday October, of a reading of a new ghost story from author Susan Hill. This is the author of The Woman In Black, which became a popular West End play (it is still running there, 18 years after it debuted). Thanks to our eagle eyed U.K. contributor, Roy, for the head’s up.
The Man In The Picture
By Susan Hill; Read by Nigel Anthony and Imogen Stubbs
5 Broadcasts – Approx 75 Minutes [ABRIDGED?]
Broadcaster: BBC RADIO 4 / Book At Bedtime
Broadcast: 10:45-11:00pm Monday to Friday October 15th to 19th
This chilling tale centres on a mysterious depiction of masked revellers at theVenice carnival that hangs in the college rooms of an old professor at Cambridge. One cold winter’s night, sipping whisky by the fire, the picture’s eerie secret is revealed by the ageing don. The dark art of the Venetian scene, instead of imitating life, has the power to entrap it. To stare into the painting is to play dangerously with unseen demons and to become a victim of its macabre beauty…
Also, each of the five parts will be available on the BBC R4 Book At Bedtime page the day after they air.
posted by Jesse Willis