Wednesday 27 June 2012

Iain M. Banks audiobook revelation



I've recently been ill and had on the audiobook of Iain M. Banks' Use Of Weapons, I read it a long time ago, but I had forgotten everything about it, as I am prone to do. My point is I have to share what an amazing experience! Narrated perfectly by Peter Kenny who is in turn sardonic, world weary and hilarious. I've discussed with others how Banks' Culture novels can dim your eyes, they are so exhausting, and how different then to hear the story. I would describe the book as having all of my favourite sci-fi elements, the humour of Douglas Adams, and the vicious, rational dialogue in Stanley Kubricks' movie rather than A.C.Clarkes' original 2001. A great deal of the audiobooks success is down to the narrator, who charges the characters with the necessary blood sweat and tears, and also manages to calm for the more pastoral chapters, perfection!

Stand out moments are so numerous, so these won't spoil it-

 When like in the anime TenchiMuyo, the starship Xenophobe presents itself to Diziet Sma as a cute, tiny furry creature demanding cuddles! Peter Kenny's 'cute' voice is hysterical.

Cheradenine Zakalwe is caught short and has to kill his driver, who speaks through a machine in a series of hilarious catchphrases. Zak manages to stop the driver before the voice machine...




Tuesday 12 June 2012

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - Angels

I was stuck with how to present the angels, and asked Marshfire on the bridgetothestars.net forum for help and he suggested fur clad angels, which I thought fantastic. He said it looked as if they were wrapping themselves up in the skins as they had no daemons.



angels, Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials, The Amber Spyglass,



angels, Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials, The Amber Spyglass,



angels, Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials, The Amber Spyglass,



angels, Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials, The Amber Spyglass,



angels, Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials, The Amber Spyglass,



angels, Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials, The Amber Spyglass,



angels, Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials, The Amber Spyglass,



angels, Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials, The Amber Spyglass,

Thursday 7 June 2012

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - Promo badge/poster

His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Northern Lights, The Amber Spyglass, Alethiometer, The Subtle Knife, The Golden Compass

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - Witches 02

All the numbered witches are not from the text of His Dark Materials, and it's hard to explain my choices other than the strands that run through of persecution, rebellion and times when I lose focus. Of the 130+ witches I did I like 20 or so, but I will show them all. You poor things!


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
witch 25


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 24


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 23


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
witch 22


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 21


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 20


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 19


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 18


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 17


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 16


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 15


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 13


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witch, The Golden Compass
Witch 14

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - Cliffghasts

His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass, Cliffghast
Mischief


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass, Cliffghast
Watching You


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass, Cliffghast
Wafts Of Stench


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass, Cliffghast
Tricking Foxes


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass, Cliffghast
The Elder


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass, Cliffghast
Dancing



His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass, Cliffghast
Spreading Out



Tuesday 5 June 2012

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - Witches 01

His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 12


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 11


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 10


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 09


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 08


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 07


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 06


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 05


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 04


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 03
His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 02


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Whittling the Cloudpine


His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
The Search for new Cloudpines



His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witches
Witches and their Cloudpines




Ruta Skadi, His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witches, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass, The Golden Compass
Ruta Spying on Cliffghasts


Serafina Pekkala, Ruta Skadi, His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witches, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass, The Golden Compass
Serafina and Ruta




Ruta Skadi, His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, Witches, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass, The Golden Compass
Ruta Skadi and a Spectre




His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Enara Clan Witches




His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
Witch 01


I'll split the 'His Dark Materials' stuff into groups for each post, better to archive this way. It's been around a while, so unless you have questions I will skip comments.