Comments on: PodCastle 045: The Annals of Eelin-Ok http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/ 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 14:35:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: “The Dreaming Wind” at Podcastle : RajanKhanna.com http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2628 “The Dreaming Wind” at Podcastle : RajanKhanna.com Wed, 27 May 2009 14:19:08 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2628 [...] a podcast of Jeffrey Ford’s “The Dreaming Wind” when I was really supposed to record “The Annals of Eelin-Ok”, which I later recorded and which appeared on Podcastle. Paul Tevis was the official reader for “The Dreaming Wind”, but since it was already recorded, [...] [...] a podcast of Jeffrey Ford’s “The Dreaming Wind” when I was really supposed to record “The Annals of Eelin-Ok”, which I later recorded and which appeared on Podcastle. Paul Tevis was the official reader for “The Dreaming Wind”, but since it was already recorded, [...]

]]> By: Travis http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2570 Travis Wed, 06 May 2009 22:09:02 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2570 This was a nice story... although many of the details seemed to not quite add-up. If Eelin-Ok did not understand the language of the giants, as he claimed, then how did he know the name of his castle or that an item he'd found said "root beer?" If he lives in "Twilmish time," then how can he interact with creatures that live in real time, such as the crabs, rats and birds? Still, fantasy requires suspension of disbelief in general, so these questions didn't keep me from enjoying the story, and listening to it several times. Thanks! This was a nice story… although many of the details seemed to not quite add-up. If Eelin-Ok did not understand the language of the giants, as he claimed, then how did he know the name of his castle or that an item he’d found said “root beer?” If he lives in “Twilmish time,” then how can he interact with creatures that live in real time, such as the crabs, rats and birds?
Still, fantasy requires suspension of disbelief in general, so these questions didn’t keep me from enjoying the story, and listening to it several times. Thanks!

]]> By: Show Not Tell | The Mossy Skull http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2480 Show Not Tell | The Mossy Skull Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:18:30 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2480 [...] Jeffrey Ford. But if you feel so inclined, you might could get a similar effect if you read the two stories side by [...] [...] Jeffrey Ford. But if you feel so inclined, you might could get a similar effect if you read the two stories side by [...]

]]> By: Dave (aka Nev the Deranged) http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2411 Dave (aka Nev the Deranged) Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:59:48 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2411 Poignant piece. One of PC's best so far. Thanks! Poignant piece. One of PC’s best so far. Thanks!

]]> By: Tim http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2226 Tim Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:21:53 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2226 I've listened to almost every podcastle (and escape pod) podcast, and this story is definitely in my top three all time. Although I don't consider myself to be a very emotional guy, I found this story to be very touching and heartfelt. The concept itself was unique and I found the ideas about the progression of time to be almost as engaging as the emotional aspects. The reading (as always with podcastle) was also top notch. Fantastic story all around. I’ve listened to almost every podcastle (and escape pod) podcast, and this story is definitely in my top three all time. Although I don’t consider myself to be a very emotional guy, I found this story to be very touching and heartfelt. The concept itself was unique and I found the ideas about the progression of time to be almost as engaging as the emotional aspects. The reading (as always with podcastle) was also top notch. Fantastic story all around.

]]> By: Benjamin http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2211 Benjamin Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:41:10 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2211 Nice story and a good reading, but how was the narrator, in the introduction able to translate Eelin-Oks journal from Twilmish? Who spent enough time with a Twilmish to learn their language? The rest of the story was believable, but that just ruined if for me. Nice story and a good reading, but how was the narrator, in the introduction able to translate Eelin-Oks journal from Twilmish?
Who spent enough time with a Twilmish to learn their language?
The rest of the story was believable, but that just ruined if for me.

]]> By: L33tminion http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2206 L33tminion Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:42:22 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2206 I'm sort of surprised that of the four stories so far in "elf month", only one is about elves (the cheesy satire). Okay, so there were the immigrant nature spirits, some of whom were elf-like, and the shapeshifting mongrel fey were also elf-like in some ways. But the creatures in this story are practically anti-elves. If you want to name essential traits of the elf myth, long life is right up there with pointy ears, and the Twilmish live for about five hours. Sure, that's extended in their perception to a passable lifetime, but the protagonist of this story is well aware of the approach of not just death, but apocalypse. (And the introduction pretty much explicitly states that despite the fantasy setting, Twilmish don't have any sort of afterlife.) The philosophical issues faced by this story's protagonist are basically the opposite of those faced by mythical elves. Was that intended? Was this story included for the sake of contrast? Anyways, I loved this story. Beauty, happiness, love, meaning, and perseverance in the face of inevitable death... consequently a much more human story than any one actually about elves. (I do wonder if the introduction could have been dropped or shortened, though, it added nothing to the story itself. Although perhaps some of that context was necessary for the story proper to not be too confusing.) I’m sort of surprised that of the four stories so far in “elf month”, only one is about elves (the cheesy satire). Okay, so there were the immigrant nature spirits, some of whom were elf-like, and the shapeshifting mongrel fey were also elf-like in some ways.

But the creatures in this story are practically anti-elves. If you want to name essential traits of the elf myth, long life is right up there with pointy ears, and the Twilmish live for about five hours. Sure, that’s extended in their perception to a passable lifetime, but the protagonist of this story is well aware of the approach of not just death, but apocalypse. (And the introduction pretty much explicitly states that despite the fantasy setting, Twilmish don’t have any sort of afterlife.) The philosophical issues faced by this story’s protagonist are basically the opposite of those faced by mythical elves.

Was that intended? Was this story included for the sake of contrast?

Anyways, I loved this story. Beauty, happiness, love, meaning, and perseverance in the face of inevitable death… consequently a much more human story than any one actually about elves.

(I do wonder if the introduction could have been dropped or shortened, though, it added nothing to the story itself. Although perhaps some of that context was necessary for the story proper to not be too confusing.)

]]> By: scatterbrain http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2203 scatterbrain Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:19:07 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2203 Although I've disliked the rest of elf month, this was a brilliant and wonderfully written story; I particularly enjoyed its fatalistic notions toward the end which made sure the story didn't go all gooey and happy the way I hate it. Although I’ve disliked the rest of elf month, this was a brilliant and wonderfully written story; I particularly enjoyed its fatalistic notions toward the end which made sure the story didn’t go all gooey and happy the way I hate it.

]]> By: Gia http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2195 Gia Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:30:33 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2195 The introduction could have been shorter. The information was good, but it could have been condensed, incorporated into Eelin-ok's story or omitted all together. I really didn't need to know that Twilmishes make patches of cold air or that they like blue glass. As for the actual story, I loved it. Eelin-ok's little life was charming. There were some sad parts at the end, but they were still charming and I really felt them. As far as the characters go, I liked the little family. There was barely any dialogue, but I still knew exactly why Eelin-ok loved them. I wouldn't mind having that life. I think that this might very well be my favorite PodCastle episode. The introduction could have been shorter. The information was good, but it could have been condensed, incorporated into Eelin-ok’s story or omitted all together. I really didn’t need to know that Twilmishes make patches of cold air or that they like blue glass.

As for the actual story, I loved it. Eelin-ok’s little life was charming. There were some sad parts at the end, but they were still charming and I really felt them.
As far as the characters go, I liked the little family. There was barely any dialogue, but I still knew exactly why Eelin-ok loved them.
I wouldn’t mind having that life.

I think that this might very well be my favorite PodCastle episode.

]]> By: Bingorage http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2191 Bingorage Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:33:55 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2191 "A full and satisfied life." Perhaps for Eelin-Ok; but by the time this piece had ended, my mind was a stew of rescue fantasies and what-ifs. Well done. Very engaging. :Eric “A full and satisfied life.” Perhaps for Eelin-Ok; but by the time this piece had ended, my mind was a stew of rescue fantasies and what-ifs.
Well done.
Very engaging.
:Eric

]]> By: Rick http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2186 Rick Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:40:05 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2186 What a wonderful story, so heartwrenchingly bitter sweet. There are few stories which make me stop and take stock of my own life. This one did just that. I can only hope to live as full an existance as Eelin-Ok had in an afternoon and evening. Simply enchanting. What a wonderful story, so heartwrenchingly bitter sweet. There are few stories which make me stop and take stock of my own life. This one did just that. I can only hope to live as full an existance as Eelin-Ok had in an afternoon and evening. Simply enchanting.

]]> By: MrM http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2184 MrM Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:22:23 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2184 Wow, I just loved this story. The charming description of the short, yet full life of this wonderful creature left me with a huge smile on my face. I listened to all the Podcasle stories until today, and this one was the best (and the only one that made me post a comment :) ). Absolutely enchanting story! Keep up the good work! :D Wow, I just loved this story.
The charming description of the short, yet full life of this wonderful creature left me with a huge smile on my face. I listened to all the Podcasle stories until today, and this one was the best (and the only one that made me post a comment :) ). Absolutely enchanting story!

Keep up the good work! :D

]]> By: PaulthePotter http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2175 PaulthePotter Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:34:52 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2175 Thoroughly enjoyed this one (as well as all the other elfisms this month). I liked the classic elf elements, like time distortion and the specialization of elf species and all that. But.. What I really liked was I could just picture the parent making this story up for his or her kid after a long day at the beach building sand castles. The sweet elements from a child's life made this elf story very unique. Thoroughly enjoyed this one (as well as all the other elfisms this month). I liked the classic elf elements, like time distortion and the specialization of elf species and all that. But..
What I really liked was I could just picture the parent making this story up for his or her kid after a long day at the beach building sand castles. The sweet elements from a child’s life made this elf story very unique.

]]> By: Vance M. http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2169 Vance M. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:44:02 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2169 What an enchanting tale. The reading and the story were perfectly done. You did indeed save the best for last. PodCastle just keeps getting better and better. What an enchanting tale. The reading and the story were perfectly done. You did indeed save the best for last. PodCastle just keeps getting better and better.

]]> By: Drea http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2156 Drea Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:17:17 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2156 What a pretty story! I think you saved the best for last in Fairy Month :) What a pretty story! I think you saved the best for last in Fairy Month :)

]]> By: Pitmonkey http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2155 Pitmonkey Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:15:12 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2155 Great story and a nice reading. I can't wait for my son and I to build our next sand castle, though none of mine have ever been as nice as the one presented here. Great story and a nice reading. I can’t wait for my son and I to build our next sand castle, though none of mine have ever been as nice as the one presented here.

]]> By: New Jeffrey Ford story podcast at Podcastle : RajanKhanna.com http://podcastle.org/2009/03/25/podcastle-45-the-annals-of-eelin-ok/#comment-2153 New Jeffrey Ford story podcast at Podcastle : RajanKhanna.com Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:54:39 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=92#comment-2153 [...] just found out (from the author no less) that my reading of Jeffrey Ford’s excellent The Annals of Eelin-Ok is up at Podcastle. This was a particularly hard reading for me because I was sick around the time I was reading it and [...] [...] just found out (from the author no less) that my reading of Jeffrey Ford’s excellent The Annals of Eelin-Ok is up at Podcastle. This was a particularly hard reading for me because I was sick around the time I was reading it and [...]

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