Audio science fiction and - noir

SFFaudio have once more posted some highly interesting links. For instance: Roddy McDowall reading H.P. Lovecraft. Somehow this combination gives me the creeps, it really does, in a good way. Don't quite know why. Maybe it's the softness and gentleness of his voice. So soft and gentle it can only be deception.

What more? There are stories by perennial favourites Philip K. Dick and Robert Silverberg, there's quite a bit of Edmond Hamilton (from whom I've only ever read one novel, I'm sorry to say, if memory serves), there's a whole new SF collection from LibriVox.

Another highly interesting novel is E.E. "Doc" Smith's Triplanetary of the Skylark saga. Haven't read Smith in donkey's years, might be a lot of fun today. Unless it's completely unbearable. No. I shan't be a pessimist. It will be heaps of fun. This is also by LibriVox.

The really fascinating thing (also from LibriVox) is the Conan Doyle novel The White Company (1891), one of his better historical novels about the gentylle & parfait knyght Sir Nigel and his trusted squire set during the Hundred Years War in the 14th century. The novel Sir Nigel (1906), though written later, is in fact a prequel. If you haven't read any Doyle above and beyond Holmes, Challenger, Brigadier Gerard and possibly the odd ghost story, this might well be the perfect place to start reading. Or, in this case, listening. Doyle's historical fiction doesn't come better than this. And, after all, what is Holmes if not a knight, always ready to wield the sword of justice for any damsel in distress who in desperation comes calling at 221B? (Which, of course, makes Watson both his companion and his squire - and also the minstrel who spreads the news of his marvellous exploits!) Reading about Sir Nigel gives one a fuller understanding of what Doyle really meant when he created Holmes.

Then there's some honest pulp and gritty noir for the taking, stories by such stout fellows like Jim Thompson and William F. Nolan. And many more.

Precious little audio dramas, I must add. As usual. It all seems to be readings and the odd interview. Well, still, can't have it all.