This evening and for the next 2 weeks BBC Radio 4 have started a new Book at Bedtime - the 15 minute slot from 10:45-11:00 pm. I've heard of the book but not read any reviews. It's good to see Derek Jacobi on Radio 4 again at least.
Over the next 2 weeks (12 days) I'll be downloading each evening's episode and putting them into a folder on my 4Shared account. I prefer to try and wait until I have all the episodes with this sort of book first before listening but I'm already curious. I think it's sentences like 'a manuscript has been discovered in the vaults of Cox and Co in Charing Cross'. They get me every time.
The first part from this evening is in the folder already. Here's the link:
The House of Silk 4Shared folder
Following is the BBC description of the first part. By the way the BBC have used a black and white version of the same image (above) that they used for the Second Holmes repeats recently. You would of thought we could of had something better. I'll pose the same question about the photo as I did in the Second Holmes discussion. Any ideas who it is? Douglas Wilmer maybe?
The House of Silk
A new Sherlock Holmes mystery by Anthony Horowitz.
Read by Derek Jacobi.
BBC Radio 4
Book at Bedtime
7-11 and 14-18 November 2011
22:45 - 11:00
Abridged by Jane Marshall
Producer: Jane Marshall
A Jane Marshall Production for BBC Radio 4.
Episode 01 of 10
Derek Jacobi reads the new, page turning Sherlock Holmes mystery by best selling author Anthony Horowitz. It is the first such project to be endorsed by the Conan Doyle Estate.
Some hundred years after the death of Sherlock Holmes, a manuscript has been discovered in the vaults of Cox and Co in Charing Cross. It recounts the events of a 'missing' Sherlock Holmes case, a case written up by Dr Watson for the sake of completing the Holmes canon but considered by him to be too shocking to be published in his lifetime. Only now can the full story be told...
Replies
Jake:
This is a horribly abridged version of the book. The BBC has butchered it the way they do most of the BaB junk.
The BBC version has none of the flavor of the original.
The full reading (also by Jacobi) is far better and is available at the Society Library, courtesy of Miss Ferrier, as is a textual copy for those with a Kindle or Kindle for the PC.
And now for my review ....
The book is reasonably well-written with that Watsonian style we all love, but it could have used a bit more editing. For example, Watson's wife is referred to as Mary MORSTON [sic].
That being said, it was an enjoyable book, in both print and audio versions, but I'd avoid the BaB version.
I found out about the full Jacobi version about 20 minutes after I made the post.
The warming thought of Jacobi reading just for BBC Radio 4 has been expelled from my mind.
Might I ask Bob - how has it been horribly abridged? You say it has none of the flavor of the original. As it stands right now that can only be based on the first part. Did they get off to a bad start?
I'll continue recording all the parts and adding them to the 4Shared folder. A completist has to have everything right?
The book is more than none hours long. BBC is doing ten fourteen minute bits. YOU do the math. :>)
That's not an abridgment; that's a gutting.
And please don't confuse completists with trash collectors. :>P
Even I should think that 'none hours long' is just simply too short to get an inkling of the story. :-)
Obviously you are unfamiliar with The Divine Offices.
None is one of them and often about NINE hours after waking.
Bonjour Monsieur Bobby,
Ah fortunatement I have successfully dodged the troparia of the Orifices for lo these many moons.
Good to see you about :D