Page 4 | The Dark Is Rising

BookWorm45 · 2022-12-03T19:51:48+00:00

For all those like me who loved the Dark Is Rising set of books by Susan Cooper..... this article talks about a new radio adaptation, coming soon. Can't wait ! https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/03/midwinter-magic-robert-macfarlane-world-service-the-dark-is-rising-susan-cooper-bbc Off to find my copy now and re-read it......

EBearhug · 22/12/2022 13:22

I'm not overawed by the Will acting, but I'm be listening to the end now.

tribpot · 22/12/2022 13:37

Enjoyed today's episode, except that now I think Merriman sounds far too young!

Very atmospheric, a lot of great sounds today. You do have to wonder, though - if the quest for the signs is so critical, why the hell is an 11 year old boy having to do it on his own?! (See also: Potter, Star Wars, etc).

We haven't got much of a sense of Will's family yet, I can't remember if that comes later.

astronewt · 22/12/2022 13:47

tribpot · 22/12/2022 13:37

Enjoyed today's episode, except that now I think Merriman sounds far too young!

Very atmospheric, a lot of great sounds today. You do have to wonder, though - if the quest for the signs is so critical, why the hell is an 11 year old boy having to do it on his own?! (See also: Potter, Star Wars, etc).

We haven't got much of a sense of Will's family yet, I can't remember if that comes later.

Lord, if there's anything Merriman shouldn't sound, it's young.

Will's not just an 11yo boy though - that's always been part of the point.

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 22/12/2022 16:31

Merriman's voice should be deeper and older. My children agree with me on that.

SqueakyDinosaur · 22/12/2022 20:55

Ian McKellen should be Merriman. Or Patrick Stewart.

pollyhemlock · 22/12/2022 21:10

SqueakyDinosaur · 22/12/2022 20:55

Ian McKellen should be Merriman. Or Patrick Stewart.

Yes , I thought of Ian McKellen! Patrick Stewart would be just as good. Someone with a deep voice.

bookworm14 · 22/12/2022 21:32

Just listened to episode 3. Agree Merriman is lacking sufficient gravitas. I really thought it would be in safe hands with the involvement of Robert McFarlane as he is such a big fan, but it just isn’t doing it for me. A real shame.

astronewt · 22/12/2022 21:40

SqueakyDinosaur · 22/12/2022 20:55

Ian McKellen should be Merriman. Or Patrick Stewart.

Serena's exactly who I thought of. If you could get him. Which you can't. You need to feel the centuries weighing down Merriman.

bookworm14 · 22/12/2022 21:43

You need to feel the centuries weighing down Merriman.

Yes, exactly this.

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 22/12/2022 22:08

One of my sons also said Ian McKellan.

pointythings · 22/12/2022 22:17

Christopher Lee would also have been perfect for Merriman.

astronewt · 22/12/2022 22:21

Actually, yeah, Christopher Lee would also have been awesome, and would have given Merriman that hard and slightly sinister edge that he has too. There is a coldness at the heart of the Light...

SqueakyDinosaur · 22/12/2022 22:30

Is Christopher Lee still alive?

bookworm14 · 22/12/2022 22:30

Yes - he and Dumbledore are both ruthless when they have to be in pursuit of the Greater Good.

bookworm14 · 22/12/2022 22:30

SqueakyDinosaur · 22/12/2022 22:30

Is Christopher Lee still alive?

Sadly not.

SqueakyDinosaur · 22/12/2022 22:32

I was wondering if I'd missed an OBVIOUS MERRIMAN....

SydneyCarton · 22/12/2022 22:40

Weirdly I always picture Merriman as looking like John Laurie who played Private Fraser in Dad’s Army 😬 Possibly without the “We’re all doomed!” Scottish accent…

I’ve only listened to the first two episodes so far but am finding it okay. I’m not sure how well you’d understand what was happening if you didn’t already know the story though, it seems targeted towards existing fans of the series rather than a new audience.

bookworm14 · 22/12/2022 22:46

Love your username, Sydney. “It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done.” <sniff>

SydneyCarton · 23/12/2022 08:18

It’s one of my favourite books bookworm14 and he is such an interesting character, although I do judge him for falling in love with the utterly wet Lucie. I have the Ladybird edition and would love to read it with my DC but I know I’d be a blubbering wreck by the end

bookworm14 · 23/12/2022 12:06

SydneyCarton · 23/12/2022 08:18

It’s one of my favourite books bookworm14 and he is such an interesting character, although I do judge him for falling in love with the utterly wet Lucie. I have the Ladybird edition and would love to read it with my DC but I know I’d be a blubbering wreck by the end

My DD brought the abridged version home from school last year. It made her weep as well! 😁

TottersBlankly · 26/12/2022 14:34

Listening now - with headphones.

My god - the soundscape is just magnificent. Can’t quite concentrate on individual voices yet (though I loved the Jamaican voice early on) but I know this is how I’d have wanted the book to sound when I was reading it years ago.

Absolutely perfect with a large glass of wine and some Christmas cake - particularly as a storm of sleet has just covered everything outside in white.

TottersBlankly · 28/12/2022 07:09

Enjoyed Ep2. Was on a more human scale.

Definitely appreciating the instrumentation / sound world - probably the best part of it for me.

TottersBlankly · 28/12/2022 15:03

Surely I can’t be the only person on MN listening at R4 pace?

Once again, the sound world for Ep 3 is incredibly satisfying - turned up loud, via headphones. So much crashing and roaring and terrifying little trills. Loving it.

EBearhug · 28/12/2022 16:21

I am doing World Service pace, partly because I think R4 is slightly abridged from the 12 WS episodes.

tribpot · 28/12/2022 17:42

I didn't even know there was WS and R4 pace as I'm listening to it on the BBC Sounds app on my phone. I can see a 'World Service' logo though! Just listened to episode 9. It's a really great production but the casting is letting it down. I think it would be amazing to see on the stage.