Comments on: PC012: Barrens Dance http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/ PodCastle is the world\'s first audio fantasy magazine. Weekly, we broadcast the best in fantasy short stories, running the gammut from heart-pounding sword and sorcery, to strange surrealist tales, to gritty urban fantasy, to the psychological depth of magical realism. Our podcast features authors including Peter Beagle, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Jim C. Hines, and Cat Rambo, among others. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:33:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: scatterbrain http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-995 scatterbrain Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:33:48 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-995 Excellent, but what the hell is a shukri?! Excellent, but what the hell is a shukri?!

]]> By: The Fix | From the Podosphere: June 2008 http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-970 The Fix | From the Podosphere: June 2008 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:35:56 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-970 [...] “Barrens Dance” by Peter S. Beagle is a beautifully written story of a wizard who wants something and is not used to having his wants denied, even when what he wants is another man’s wife. The plot, setting, viewpoint, and characterization are masterly, and Stephen Eley’s narration does all those aspects ample justice. (Given my lukewarm feelings towards the fantasy genre, I’m surprised to find “Barrens Dance” my favorite of this month’s Escape Artists offerings.) [...] [...] “Barrens Dance” by Peter S. Beagle is a beautifully written story of a wizard who wants something and is not used to having his wants denied, even when what he wants is another man’s wife. The plot, setting, viewpoint, and characterization are masterly, and Stephen Eley’s narration does all those aspects ample justice. (Given my lukewarm feelings towards the fantasy genre, I’m surprised to find “Barrens Dance” my favorite of this month’s Escape Artists offerings.) [...]

]]> By: FrankJ http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-921 FrankJ Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:25:32 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-921 This story moved me - nay compelled me - to actually register and write in to comment. Yes, it was that bad. I began as a listener to Psuedopod (from the 1st ep), liked it well enough to find out more about Escape Pod, and naturally jumped into Podcastle when it began. Never before was I moved to write in, for good or bad reason. This story took me half the month to get through, because I just couldn't keep my interest up. The names were difficult to follow and associate with characters. There was too much description, and not enough dialogue, for this type of story. The characters didn't seem to really be who they were supposed to be - in the sense that we were told they were certain things or behaved in certain ways, but never really seemed to act that way in the moment of the story (kind of like the guy in high school that was regarded as a badass, but no one could think of how he proved to be such a badass). And Steve's reading just didn't do it for me this time. But I finally perservered, getting through to the end. I knew I could - I'd read the 1st Thomas Covenant series. This story moved me - nay compelled me - to actually register and write in to comment.

Yes, it was that bad.

I began as a listener to Psuedopod (from the 1st ep), liked it well enough to find out more about Escape Pod, and naturally jumped into Podcastle when it began. Never before was I moved to write in, for good or bad reason.

This story took me half the month to get through, because I just couldn’t keep my interest up. The names were difficult to follow and associate with characters. There was too much description, and not enough dialogue, for this type of story. The characters didn’t seem to really be who they were supposed to be - in the sense that we were told they were certain things or behaved in certain ways, but never really seemed to act that way in the moment of the story (kind of like the guy in high school that was regarded as a badass, but no one could think of how he proved to be such a badass). And Steve’s reading just didn’t do it for me this time.

But I finally perservered, getting through to the end.

I knew I could - I’d read the 1st Thomas Covenant series.

]]> By: Spork http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-902 Spork Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:22:09 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-902 I hate this crap. What the heck is a shecknath, and why couldn't it have been something mundane like a sheep or a cow? Steve's reading was truly irritating with his hissing inflections and the way he pronounces the letter 'T' like a slap in the face is really distracting. I got too bored and annoyed with this story to finish it. I don't care if there are winning lottery numbers at the end of it, I just can't tolerate it. I hate this crap.

What the heck is a shecknath, and why couldn’t it have been something mundane like a sheep or a cow?

Steve’s reading was truly irritating with his hissing inflections and the way he pronounces the letter ‘T’ like a slap in the face is really distracting. I got too bored and annoyed with this story to finish it. I don’t care if there are winning lottery numbers at the end of it, I just can’t tolerate it.

]]> By: Barry http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-884 Barry Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:02:59 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-884 As others have said, this is much more like the kind of fantasy story I would like to hear on PodCastle. What a truly fascinating tale it was, a really good example of how a rich fantasy world can be hinted at in a few short words. I think there is an over-reliance on previous stories to be rooted in the real world with fantastic or pseudo-fantastic elements. "Barrens Dance" shows it is entirely possible to build worlds for a single short story. This kind of story will keep me coming back for more. For me, there have been too many stories based in real-world America (past and present) recently, which as a Brit I just haven't connected with. Sound quality and reading great. I really like Steve Eley's voice, more of him please! As others have said, this is much more like the kind of fantasy story I would like to hear on PodCastle. What a truly fascinating tale it was, a really good example of how a rich fantasy world can be hinted at in a few short words.

I think there is an over-reliance on previous stories to be rooted in the real world with fantastic or pseudo-fantastic elements. “Barrens Dance” shows it is entirely possible to build worlds for a single short story.

This kind of story will keep me coming back for more. For me, there have been too many stories based in real-world America (past and present) recently, which as a Brit I just haven’t connected with.

Sound quality and reading great. I really like Steve Eley’s voice, more of him please!

]]> By: V http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-880 V Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:15:02 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-880 Although it was hard for me to picture a dance being menacing...the rest of this story, and Steve Eley's wonderful reading resonated deeply with me. In fact, I think this tied is up there with a story he read on Escape Pod, Friction, as my #1 favorite reading I've ever heard him do. Although it was hard for me to picture a dance being menacing…the rest of this story, and Steve Eley’s wonderful reading resonated deeply with me.

In fact, I think this tied is up there with a story he read on Escape Pod, Friction, as my #1 favorite reading I’ve ever heard him do.

]]> By: Storman_Norman http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-878 Storman_Norman Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:48:06 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-878 AWESOME! AWESOME!

]]> By: de http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-875 de Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:46:43 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-875 i'm about half way through, it's not really keeping my interest, but after reading the comments it looks like it'll get better i’m about half way through, it’s not really keeping my interest, but after reading the comments it looks like it’ll get better

]]> By: Chas http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-872 Chas Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:09:25 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-872 Although I liked the story, I was disturbed by the idea of the wizard having so much power without consequences. I don't like the idea of wizards being "above the law" and being able to simply take what they want without anyone being able to do anything about it. guess that's probably the point isn't it? Although I liked the story, I was disturbed by the idea of the wizard having so much power without consequences. I don’t like the idea of wizards being “above the law” and being able to simply take what they want without anyone being able to do anything about it.
guess that’s probably the point isn’t it?

]]> By: Ryan B http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-870 Ryan B Sun, 22 Jun 2008 04:18:52 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-870 Good one. I wish I had a Mr. Saturn font with which to write: Appreciate! Good one. I wish I had a Mr. Saturn font with which to write:

Appreciate!

]]> By: Janice in GA http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-863 Janice in GA Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:08:00 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-863 You can't go wrong with Peter S. Beagle. Loved it. You can’t go wrong with Peter S. Beagle.

Loved it.

]]> By: LittleLotus http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-857 LittleLotus Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:32:24 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-857 Although it took a while to get into the story the ending made me cry for more! The little tid bits of facts of the many characters that we recieve throughout the story make this as much of a mystery as a fantacy, which is fine by me. As always, great reading and wonderful writing. This is fantacy at its best! Although it took a while to get into the story the ending made me cry for more! The little tid bits of facts of the many characters that we recieve throughout the story make this as much of a mystery as a fantacy, which is fine by me. As always, great reading and wonderful writing. This is fantacy at its best!

]]> By: R.Z.I http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-856 R.Z.I Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:04:46 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-856 Quality Fantasy at it's best. Great story. Keep it up podcastle. Quality Fantasy at it’s best. Great story.
Keep it up podcastle.

]]> By: Giermo the Wise http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-854 Giermo the Wise Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:50:13 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-854 I truly enjoyed this story. The twist on magic with the dancing was superbly executed. Character development, for a short story, was great. This was perfectly fantasy and well done. These are the types of stories I come to podcastle for! I truly enjoyed this story. The twist on magic with the dancing was superbly executed. Character development, for a short story, was great. This was perfectly fantasy and well done. These are the types of stories I come to podcastle for!

]]> By: George http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-852 George Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:14:42 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-852 Now _this_ is more like it! The story unfolds at just the right pace, with enough exposition to build the world convincingly. This is excellent Podcastle material. The delivery could have been a bit more measured at times, but that's Steve's natural pace. Good show! Now stay on track Podcastle. Now _this_ is more like it! The story unfolds at just the right pace, with enough exposition to build the world convincingly. This is excellent Podcastle material.

The delivery could have been a bit more measured at times, but that’s Steve’s natural pace.

Good show! Now stay on track Podcastle.

]]> By: Richard http://podcastle.org/2008/06/17/pc012-barrens-dance/#comment-849 Richard Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:33:55 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=29#comment-849 Hmmmmm.....I think I'm going to have to listen to it again. Hmmmmm…..I think I’m going to have to listen to it again.

]]>