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Can you identify this Radio 4 audiobook?

14 replies

SourMilkGhyll · 20/07/2021 23:49

A long, long time ago I heard part of a radio 4 audio book. I ment to look it up at the time and to read or listen to the rest of it, but forgot, and now have no idea what it was called.
The clues are:
It was really gripping, in a 'war of the worlds' type way.
It involved sea monsters.
The main two characters were journalists (male and female).
Most of the UK flooded but they were able to access a boat to get around.
In one part they were staying in a holiday resort abroad in a hotel many floors up. The sea monsters came up out of the deep ocean and tried to reach into their room to pull them out. It didn't succeed. When they went out later there were deep trails going into the sea where the (mechanical?) monsters had sunk again.
In another part, the shipping industry was suffering because all the boats kept being attacked. They realised it was the sound of the motors attracting the monsters so had to use sail boats or pull 'decoy' boats to try and get supplies to the UK.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
Gremlinsateit · 21/07/2021 11:56

It sounds like The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham - does that seem right?

anonymice · 21/07/2021 12:00

It is the Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham, yes.

SourMilkGhyll · 23/07/2021 20:09

Amazing! I knew someone on here would be able to recognise it from that rather rubbish description.
Thank you @anonymice and @Gremlinsateit

OP posts:
Paranoidandroidmarvin1350 · 23/07/2021 22:53

Depends also which version u listened to. The one u can get on audible is good. But the recent one on four extra is even better. But u can buy it anywhere which is annoying.

Weebleweeble · 24/07/2021 06:43

I've just searched for john Wyndham and for the Kraken Wakes on 4e but nothing come up - do you have to download them at the time, then they are no longer available? I have a long journey coming up and am trying to get some audiobooks lined up.

RandomDent · 24/07/2021 06:46

Do you have an iPhone? There’s a few versions on the Books app (presumably Apple)

Weebleweeble · 24/07/2021 07:16

Ok, thanks.

YesThisIsMe · 24/07/2021 07:34

The BBC version was a specific modernised dramatisation by Val McDermid with an orchestra for some reason. It was very good but is not currently available on BBC Sounds - you’ll have to wait for a Radio 4 Xtra repeat.

But Val M’s own not dissimilar drama about a pandemic of antibiotic-resistant food poisoning “Resistance” is currently on Sounds. Very good if you can face listening to a pandemic-related drama.

Weebleweeble · 24/07/2021 07:44

I've found the audiobooks. On Sounds app go to Home then scroll down to categories, then see all, then click on Audiobooks. Good, more free audiobooks!

lomaamina · 24/07/2021 11:34

You could also try your local library for free audiobooks: in my county there’s a free app to go with it.

Paranoidandroidmarvin · 24/07/2021 13:44

@YesThisIsMe. I love resistance. I have it on audiobook. It’s really good.

Gremlinsateit · 29/07/2021 10:39

No problem @sourmilkghyll

I bet there are cracking audiobooks of The Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cuckoos too.

EBearhug · 29/07/2021 10:43

I think it was first broadcast a few years ago when they did a Wyndham series on the Classic Serial.

Sanguinesuzy · 29/07/2021 16:17

Try youtube. There are definitely midwich cuckoos and day of the triffids radio dramas.

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