E. KateDec 21, 2022
Deb Chachra

My listening through the embers of the year is the new 12-part BBC audio adaptation of Susan Cooper’s THE DARK IS RISING, with a new episode each day. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvp7

[it must be time for @neilhimself’s annual reminder that you can listen to BBC Radio anywhere in the world]

BBC Sounds - The Dark Is Rising - Available Episodes

Listen to the latest episodes of The Dark Is Rising on BBC Sounds.

BBC
Dec 21, 2022 at 11:03amWeb
Show threadSusan Cox-SmithDec 21, 2022
@debcha thanks for the reminder! Just subscribed.
Show threadNeil GaimanDec 21, 2022
@debcha oddly enough, two days ago was the first recent reminder...
Show threadDeb ChachraDec 22, 2022
@neilhimself Hah, yes, sorry. I was just reminded of the lovely tradition when I went to post a BBC link from Other Cambridge. (I notice that at least one person still asked after geolocking… 🤦🏽‍♀️)
Show threadOuti🦊🌱🌍🌈Dec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself I love this series so much, I read the second book almost every December 🌨️ It's such a comfort read for me.
Show threadJulian West🦞Dec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself And today is Midwinter Day
Show threadSJ RozanDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself You had me at THE DARK IS RISING. Oh how I loved those books as a kid. Thanks for the reminder.
Show threadThe Nicest Boy on MastodonDec 21, 2022

@debcha @neilhimself

I loved the series when I was a kid in the 80s. I bought a boxed set for my kids (and myself) but didn't feel the writing held up for adult reading (my opinion only, and adult me wasn't the target audience anyway really).

That said, I'll definitely check this out - thanks!

Show threadConnecticutting Dec 21, 2022

@debcha Thanks for the share! Absolutely my favorite books series as a kid (and, really, an adult).

We shan’t speak of the horrific Americanized film adaptation of a few years back. If you haven’t seen it, don’t. It will break your heart.

Show threadQueen of TeacupsDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself oh, thank you! I've been re-reading it in the run-up to Christmas for...goodness, it's been *decades*; listening to it will be such a treat.
Show threadQueen of TeacupsDec 22, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself And it was.
I'm carrying a small packet of tightly wrapped anticipation in my pocket today, knowing there is Ep3 to look forward to at bedtime. 🎁
Thanks for the heads-up.
Show threadDeb ChachraDec 22, 2022
@neilhimself @JMacfie Thanks for this lovely response. Normally I don’t share media i before experiencing it, but in this case the timing was so important (and also I knew that Rob McFarlane worked on the adaptation…)
Show threadQueen of TeacupsDec 22, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself ..and Complicité's Simon McBurney too - with that pedigree it was never going to be dull. 🥰
Show threadMerle, Queen of Crime, Prince of BirdsDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself
Oh wow, I haven't read those books in ages!
Show threadJR 🐸🎃Dec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself 👀Are they doing the whole series? Thanks for sharing. My mom loves this.
Show threadAJ WallisDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself Such a great book series!
Show threadRemiDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself Heard this also from @jdnicoll. Queued up in podcast program on the phone for my walks!
Show threadPaulDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself
Loved this book as a kid
Show threadavrysatosDec 21, 2022
@debcha Oh I remember loving this series! it was one of the first fantasy series I ever read. Thank you for spreading the word about this!
Show threadAaronDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself oh my. One of my favorites.
Show threadRachel WorthingtonDec 21, 2022
@debcha Prompted by promotion of this adaptation and the horror of discovering that I had never read these books as a child, I'm now correcting that.
Show threadDasha DayterDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself Sofia @uhlon_dohlenko i think you might like this! I remember borrowing your copies of The Dark Is Rising - so much fun for a linguist, too, with all the welsh
Show threadStephenCDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself loved this when it was first released. Looking forward to seeing if it stands the test of time. On my #ListeningList
Show threadSara Feir's Old AccountDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself Wow! Gotta check this out! Hopefully it is not geo-blocked! Love The DArk is Rising and have never heard an adaptation of it! I assume it's just the eponymous book?
Show threadJohn Koen 🏳️‍🌈 🎶Dec 21, 2022
@sarafeir yes, just the one (goes alone 😉 ) and not geoblocked, I’m in the USA and just finished listening to episode 1 #TheDarkIsReading
Show threadMarylandgrlDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself, so glad to hear about this--thanks for sharing the link!
Show threadA.J.Dec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself Woah. Thanks for sharing this. I loved this series as a kid, but haven't had time to go back to it. This sounds amazing.
Show threadSusan 🥰🏳️‍🌈♿️ 🇷🇴 🙏Dec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself thank you so much. I will enjoy the longest night of the year with this beauty. Happy Winter Solstice to you both.
Show threadSusan 🥰🏳️‍🌈♿️ 🇷🇴 🙏Dec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself Here’s another drama with a stunning soundscape, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001cdzz?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile hope you enjoy.
Drama - Shearwaters - BBC Sounds

Alison White's psychological thriller set on a remote island wildlife reserve.

bbc
Show threadSarah LawtonDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself @trellisjumper Me too! This book series meant so much to 11-year-old me (way back in the late 1970s).
Show threadKyle RoseDec 21, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself this was the first book and series I chose to read for myself. I love it so.
Show threadBleistifterinDec 21, 2022
@debcha OMG! Thank you for making me aware. Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising was my absolute favourite when I was a kid.
Show threadhurrahaseDec 22, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself
Thank you for that. That's one of my favourite books and I didn't know about that.
So looking forward to that - I think, I'll count this as my first christmas gift this year.
Show threadAoifeDec 22, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself these books got me through some very trying times in grade school. This is very exciting for me! Thank you for spreading the word.
Show threadfionataylorDec 22, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself I just adored this book as a kid and was thinking of re-reading it since it’s set this time of year. Thanks for the heads-up
Show threadJames YoungDec 26, 2022
@debcha @neilhimself @marthawells it's available as a podcast, too! https://overcast.fm/+9oynWvA_0
1. Midwinter Eve — The Dark Is Rising

This night will be bad. Tomorrow will be beyond all imagining. December 20, the day before Will’s 11th birthday, and all he wants is snow. But something is not right. On his way to Dawson’s Farm, a hunched old man scuttles into trees, the animals are disturbed. And then Will receives a present. It is a Sign. Listen on headphones for 3D immersive sound. #TheDarkIsRising Will Stanton: Noah Alexander John Smith/Paul Stanton/Mr Beaumont: Thomas Arnold Bus Conductor/Jamaican Old One/James Stanton: Danny Bailey Stephen Stanton: Simon Bubb Mrs Stanton/Mrs Pettigrew/Dr Armstrong: Amanda Hadingue The Walker/Hawkin: Toby Jones Narrator: Simon McBurney The Rider/Mr Mithothin/Mr Stanton/Farmer Dawson: Tim McMullan Merriman: Paul Rhys Maggie Barnes/Mary Stanton: Natasha Stone The Lady/Miss Greythorne: Harriet Walter Herne: Miles Yekinni The chorister: Vinay Singh Radio announcer: Samuel West Soundscape design: Gareth Fry Music: Josh Sneesby Original songs by Johnny Flynn, Luisa Gerstein and Héloïse Tunstall-Behrens…