I’ve been taking part in the 2023 When Are You Reading? Challenge, and here are my two final audiobook reviews, which also happen to be full cast dramatisations.

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Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island A Full Cast Audio Drama starring Tom Baker and Nicholas FarrellSynopsis: “Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!

When young Jim Hawkins unexpectedly inherits a treasure map, he little knows what adventures await him. Pursued by pirates, betrayed by friends and beset by skulduggery, Jim must brave high seas and low cunning before he reaches the shores of Treasure Island.

His fellow treasure-hunters include the inflexible Captain Smollett, the indefatigable Doctor Livesey and the irrepressible Squire Trelawney. And then there’s the ship’s cook: a seafaring man with one leg who goes by the name of Long John Silver…

Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure is brought thrillingly to life in this brand new full-cast audiobook adaptation.“

My Review

This is a wonderful dramatised version of the classic pirate adventure set in the 1700s.

This time however the story is told by an adult Jim Hawkins to his young son James, played perfectly by Nicholas Farrell and Edward Holtom. Tom Baker is superb as  Long John silver and his parrot! 

I loved everything about this production by Big Finnish, the company who also produce the Doctor Who audiobooks. The music that accompanied the story was rousing, with the full cast singing the pirates song of ‘yo ho ho and a bottle of rum’ throughout the recording.

The sound effects were excellent as well making me feel that I was with Jim Hawkins and the rest of the crew looking for the treasure!

There are fantastic behind the scene interviews with all members of the cast as well as full recordings of all the music.

Highly recommended if you enjoy full cast dramatisations on audio.

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The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams

61Q69qJztML._SY466_Synopsis “Seconds before Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic free-way, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor. 

Together, this dynamic pair began a journey through space aided by a galaxyful of fellow travellers: Zaphod Beeblebrox–the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian (formerly Tricia McMillan), Zaphod’s girlfriend, whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; and Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he’s bought over the years. 

Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? For all the answers, stick your thumb to the stars.”

My Review

This sci-fi story always makes me laugh out loud as it’s so daft in places. It must have been quite something when it was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 back in 1978. I remember two of my siblings getting excited about it, and I also remember enjoying the TV series in the early 80s.

I needed a book for the ‘future’ category for this challenge and this was perfect as this first part is just under 3 hours long.

It basically tells the story of Arthur Dent being rescued by his alien friend Ford Prefect from the destruction of the Earth for an intergalactic highway, and their adventures in space with the help of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Along the way they meet all sorts of weird and wonderful characters.

Highly recommended on audio!