Submitted by ScooterVagabond on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 23:51.
But if I had to pick a favorite, I'd say "Hair and Skin". Really caught me off guard - a little "sleight of head" misdirection going on there before the story shifted.
I feel this was the best all-round story, it was structured very well and had the best ending :) after that I'd say Hair and Skin, because although the story itself qualified definitely as a true 'horror' story, I felt it dragged out a bit, Salvation is a close third.
Submitted by honorfreak on Fri, 07/11/2008 - 14:04.
So at the end of the story, was the man in the elevator a troll all along or did he transform into the monster because he became evil and corrupt? And how about the children who were found alongside, were they merely kids in the first place? Please answer, and great story by the way!
... in answer to the crunch question... "or did he transform into the monster because he became evil and corrupt"?
I cannot say. I can't comment on stuff like this because when I type the final full stop (U.S. 'period'), that's the end of my input. You have to decide yourself, it's personal. Or take the question, and your ideas on it, to the forums here on MBP.Com - share the question with others - they all have very interesting insights.
Submitted by Uncle Velvet on Sun, 05/11/2008 - 16:46.
Hey Mike, They were all fantastic! They made many of my grueling commutes into Manhattan entertaining.Thanks.
Your latest, Salvation, was top notch, but the one that sticks with me is "A Lovely Pair of Browns".... and all that guano!
I'm surprised no one has mentioned "The Haslet Technique". I thought it took a lot of talent to write a story with such a crazy concept and have it still be creepy and tense. It could have easily fallen into silly humor, but it didn't. So it gets my vote.
Submitted by mjmicklethwaite on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 13:58.
Hard choice as i've enjoyed them all, but i think the one that had me the most desperate to download the next episode was Salvation, it really kept me on the edge of my seat, and i started going ot church again, really scary stuff.
After that i think it must be Poachers Cottage & A lovely pair of browns.
Submitted by Slasher81 on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 10:00.
It is too difficult to choose just one of MB's podcasts, so I vote ALL of them!
You know you want all the kittens/puppies when you go and look at them, but have no choice but to only pick one (or two)!! (Especially when you have 5 cats already.... hahahaha!)
So on that note it would have to be Poacher's Cottage, maybe?
Lots of credit for Hair and Skin though, sounds like MB maybe had to practice gargling and talking for ages!
Like "Tales from the Crypt" they were all different, but everyone of them got a thumbs up from me! (Sorry to any copyright people, if I can not put this classic programme name in here?)
10 points to MB for each podcast, from me! x
Submitted by freshbrit on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 02:27.
They have all been jems , Trolls was so bitterly Urban ,"The Haslet Technique". was GREEEeeeeeeed and fantastic,Poachers Cottage kept me on the edge,BUT Salvation Has to WIN , just something there Mike , A bigger Demon , a better demon , we all know are Demons .......!
I agree. The Grave. I like stories that make me think, yeah - that's pretty fucked up. And creepy people grabbing you and you being trapped. That can be terrifying. I think it takes a little bit of your soul when you are violated and feel like you can't do anything about it.
Not so much with Salvation because when evil people get what they deserve it seems like a fairy tale. A gory fair tale, but one nonetheless. =)
Submitted by startsnoozy on Sun, 07/13/2008 - 20:29.
Hello! Just discovered your wonderful, scary podcast through Zencast. Have only listened to a few, and Hair and Skin is my favorite so far.
What a terrific writer, narrator, story-teller, etc.. you are! I look forward to listening to more and more. Thanks for all of your hard work.
Yea, I have to say Salvation as well, although "A Lovely Pair of Browns" has also taken root in my imagination. What a great story!
I particularly loved the description of Hell, the demons and of Clive himself (this is elite writing!) Speaking of names and references, is it possible that Clive may be a reference or a homage to another horror writer? The Books of Blood and the graphic novel which explained the special relationship of Frank's family to the denizens of Hell were particularly impressionable upon me. I am a fan of his as well. Clive in Salvation was one badass demon! I loved to hear him speak, though thankfully from a distance, and especially his explanation that the Devil lived in our minds, but that the demons were more in tune with his will.
Also, a common theme included in both works was the idea of a tortured soul returning from the grave and of Hell, usually for some reason which had little to do with the workings of "Heaven".
The end of Part I when Geoffrey Leech wakes up in the hospital bed and the outro narration and music (Redemption) was so very moving that it probably ranks as one of the most rewarding experiences I have had with literature to date. The simple statement of fact that water was the most precious substance on earth was particularly powerful. Stories like this help me to appreciate every breath, every moment of this thing called life.
Firstly, thanks for that comment, I was delighted to read your comments on Salvation, (the end of part one had a similar effect on me, which I shouldn't say because I'm supposed to be cool and all that, but since I'm about as cool as an egg curry, I feel I can share that with you). As for the Clive name thing, I didn't consciously think of Mr Barker, but I was aware of Hellraiser (mainly through trying to avoid similarities) and perhaps the name was sort of, just below the surface of my consciousness at the time of writing. Mainly though, for me, the choice of name came more from a desire to avoid cliche than anything else.
In terms of podcast, episode one of The Gassing Room is written, but that's all. I downed tools on this story when I gave my attention to my second novel. T.G.R. won't be completed until Novel 2 is ready for podcast. Same goes for the other new stories that I've drafted / started: they won't be completed until Novel 2 is done. Then they'll all, gradually, go into the Hall of Mirrors.
Submitted by healthy paranoid on Sun, 09/07/2008 - 05:12.
hair and skin - without a doubt.
i was walking around - at night - listening to the story on the ole ipod - and when those voices came up the first time i had to stop the tape to make sure there wasn't someone behind me - it gave me the heeby-jeebies - and i don't get them all that often.
Mike....TheBori...nice to meet you. Long time listener, first time poster. I finally got caught up. I only recently discovered podiobooks on iTunes and after slogging through some other authors I stumbled onto you...metaphorically speaking. Well, I had to gobble up all of Sleepless and Mirrors and Sometimes....and I'm caught up...whew!
I'll get to the topic here in a bit, but first I want to say it is truly a pleasure listening to your work. It is well written, voiced well and produced very cleanly. Recording quality is an often overlooked factor in podcasts (although I can't imagine why, it's not like you're sacrificing audio for video or something). I enjoy the wit and farce and the sincerity of your pleas.
Now I will say that for the first time in all of my audio-book history I had to turn Hair and Skin off for a few moments. I was literally gagging when the mouths spoke. Aaarghhh...I could not drive. I would rate H&S first for impact and horror, but I would also agree with other posters that Salvation had all the best parts of a good story.
I'm rambling. Anyway, nice to finally talk to you. I thoroughly enjoy your work. Best of luck on the book(s). Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Bori. Good feedback like that is the coal in the furnace of the engine of the train of my motivation (that was a long 'of the' sentence). I'm really delighted to hear you like the shows. Yes, Hair and Skin was high on the horror count alright, both in the writing and the telling - it's amazing what you can achieve with a glass of water and a microphone ;-)
I'm slowly working away at the new novel and am currently re-writing chapter 8. I hope to begin the podcast in January.
I think I already said Salvation was my favorite, but now that I've heard Extreminators, those two are a tie. I recently saw some huge roaches (similar in size to my iPod classic) at a museum, and they didn't make me squirm as much as the swimming cornflake.
Submitted by spookchild on Wed, 12/17/2008 - 08:24.
I just re-listened to Poacher's Cottage again last night, and I think it's my favorite because of the way the character of Ken is drawn. His braying Australian accent, the way he seasons his food and talks with his mouth full...I enjoyed every minute of it.
Submitted by wicked as on Sat, 04/04/2009 - 11:09.
I just found the links this week and I have spent three days listening to the stories. While I like them all, my two favorites were Grave, and from the Secret Room, Wet Velvet.
I liked two main things about Grave. The first was simply that it was very funny to me. The second, and deeper, reason is that as a woman in a field mainly populated by men I have had to put up with varying degrees of sexual harassment - from offhand comments to molestation. By having the target of unwanted attention being a man it would be more likely for a man to empathize. Kudos to you on both counts.
I listened to Hair and Skin today while at work. What a fantasic story! (I work with in a certain government office on taxes all day long-ugh) As I worked and listened, I glanced across the rows and rows of cubicles and bald scalps - how entertaining and exciting to hear the bone chilling screams rip into me from my ipod. I was more than a little freaked out and very hesitant to listen to the 3rd episode. But I did and it was very, very enjoyable. I am so glad I stumbled upon Mike Bennett's podcast. I can't wait to listen to more!
Submitted by ___Clare___ on Sun, 06/28/2009 - 14:36.
Not quite listened to all of them yet - 2 to go - but my favourites are Salvation and Give Me a Hundred. Really enjoy all the stories though - I'm a new convert to podcast books and have to say these stories are incredible, and the telling fantastic.
Can't wait to listen to all the others - Sometimes, One among the sleepless etc....
I mean, I love so many..>Trolls was good, oh, Salvation especially, and Hair and Skin, that one freaked me out quite a bit, the description of the mouths...All of the Hall of Mirrors tales are positively chilling though, except things like the Haslet Technique, which was good too.
Submitted by woofboi2010 on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 18:27.
I would have to say Salvation for the vivid horror and gore, but The Grave because its so f***ing funny. From the title you'd think you've got a typical " in the graveyard at midnight" story but its anything but that. I loved it..... I think I'll listen to it again now!
I like them all....
My Fave, The Grave
For me its...
i got a huge kick out of the poachers cottage
Poachers Cottage :)
It's A Tie
I'll go with the Grave -
I have a question about the story " Trolls"
I can't say...
The way I see it, the dude
The way I see it, the dude was schizo like his sister that commited sucide. Kinda disturbing story man.
Favorites?
for total creep out value
Favorite
My Favorite stroy would have
"one of these two"
Hair and skin
Fav. HOM Charrie
favourite
"A Lovely Pair of Browns" has
Hmmm....
Favorite
that was HYSTERICAL
lol
fox pisses me off
Favourite Story
Podcast heaven!
Which (witch) story
Well.....
I'd have to go with The Grave
favorite!
Favorite, so far...
Salvation, without a doubt.
Salvation & Clive
Yea, I have to say Salvation as well, although "A Lovely Pair of Browns" has also taken root in my imagination. What a great story!
I particularly loved the description of Hell, the demons and of Clive himself (this is elite writing!) Speaking of names and references, is it possible that Clive may be a reference or a homage to another horror writer? The Books of Blood and the graphic novel which explained the special relationship of Frank's family to the denizens of Hell were particularly impressionable upon me. I am a fan of his as well. Clive in Salvation was one badass demon! I loved to hear him speak, though thankfully from a distance, and especially his explanation that the Devil lived in our minds, but that the demons were more in tune with his will.
Also, a common theme included in both works was the idea of a tortured soul returning from the grave and of Hell, usually for some reason which had little to do with the workings of "Heaven".
The end of Part I when Geoffrey Leech wakes up in the hospital bed and the outro narration and music (Redemption) was so very moving that it probably ranks as one of the most rewarding experiences I have had with literature to date. The simple statement of fact that water was the most precious substance on earth was particularly powerful. Stories like this help me to appreciate every breath, every moment of this thing called life.
Barker
Hi JSchmidt,
Firstly, thanks for that comment, I was delighted to read your comments on Salvation, (the end of part one had a similar effect on me, which I shouldn't say because I'm supposed to be cool and all that, but since I'm about as cool as an egg curry, I feel I can share that with you). As for the Clive name thing, I didn't consciously think of Mr Barker, but I was aware of Hellraiser (mainly through trying to avoid similarities) and perhaps the name was sort of, just below the surface of my consciousness at the time of writing. Mainly though, for me, the choice of name came more from a desire to avoid cliche than anything else.
Storys
I love all of the storys there all great and some scary others quite tame more please.
Patiently Waiting...
The Gassing Room
hair and skin - without a
hair and skin - without a doubt.
i was walking around - at night - listening to the story on the ole ipod - and when those voices came up the first time i had to stop the tape to make sure there wasn't someone behind me - it gave me the heeby-jeebies - and i don't get them all that often.
close second would be poucher's cottage.
i still need to listen to the "secrect room" hom.
Finally got here!
Mike....TheBori...nice to meet you. Long time listener, first time poster. I finally got caught up. I only recently discovered podiobooks on iTunes and after slogging through some other authors I stumbled onto you...metaphorically speaking. Well, I had to gobble up all of Sleepless and Mirrors and Sometimes....and I'm caught up...whew!
I'll get to the topic here in a bit, but first I want to say it is truly a pleasure listening to your work. It is well written, voiced well and produced very cleanly. Recording quality is an often overlooked factor in podcasts (although I can't imagine why, it's not like you're sacrificing audio for video or something). I enjoy the wit and farce and the sincerity of your pleas.
Now I will say that for the first time in all of my audio-book history I had to turn Hair and Skin off for a few moments. I was literally gagging when the mouths spoke. Aaarghhh...I could not drive. I would rate H&S first for impact and horror, but I would also agree with other posters that Salvation had all the best parts of a good story.
I'm rambling. Anyway, nice to finally talk to you. I thoroughly enjoy your work. Best of luck on the book(s). Keep up the good work.
Thanks...
Thanks, Bori. Good feedback like that is the coal in the furnace of the engine of the train of my motivation (that was a long 'of the' sentence). I'm really delighted to hear you like the shows. Yes, Hair and Skin was high on the horror count alright, both in the writing and the telling - it's amazing what you can achieve with a glass of water and a microphone ;-)
I'm slowly working away at the new novel and am currently re-writing chapter 8. I hope to begin the podcast in January.
Salvation/Exterminators
I think I already said Salvation was my favorite, but now that I've heard Extreminators, those two are a tie. I recently saw some huge roaches (similar in size to my iPod classic) at a museum, and they didn't make me squirm as much as the swimming cornflake.
Poacher's Cottage
I just re-listened to Poacher's Cottage again last night, and I think it's my favorite because of the way the character of Ken is drawn. His braying Australian accent, the way he seasons his food and talks with his mouth full...I enjoyed every minute of it.
Favorite Story
I just found the links this week and I have spent three days listening to the stories. While I like them all, my two favorites were Grave, and from the Secret Room, Wet Velvet.
I liked two main things about Grave. The first was simply that it was very funny to me. The second, and deeper, reason is that as a woman in a field mainly populated by men I have had to put up with varying degrees of sexual harassment - from offhand comments to molestation. By having the target of unwanted attention being a man it would be more likely for a man to empathize. Kudos to you on both counts.
Favorite Story
Poachers Cottage..great story but for something really off beat with great characters cannot beat Hair and Skin.
Loved Clive though.........I have a boss just like him!!!!!!!
Hair and Skin.....
I would have to say it's
I would have to say it's a 3-way tie between Hair and Skin, Poacher's Cottage and Salvation. Each having a different reason to be a favorite of mine.
Hair and Skin - It was darkly morbid and slightly maddening.
Poacher's Cottage - do to it's darkly eerie over tone and macabre ending
Salvation - it made me question my own salvation
Hurdy gur,
Freakopedia
(Los Angeles)
Not quite listened to all of
Not quite listened to all of them yet - 2 to go - but my favourites are Salvation and Give Me a Hundred. Really enjoy all the stories though - I'm a new convert to podcast books and have to say these stories are incredible, and the telling fantastic.
Can't wait to listen to all the others - Sometimes, One among the sleepless etc....
Thanks Mike!
Can I have 3?
I really can't narrow it down any further than 3, 'Salvation', 'Green Man' and of course, 'Night Crossing'
Should have put Night Crossing at the beginning of U&F.
'Hair and Skin' gave me the shivers.
TTFN
Trillianne
Hard to Say
I mean, I love so many..>Trolls was good, oh, Salvation especially, and Hair and Skin, that one freaked me out quite a bit, the description of the mouths...All of the Hall of Mirrors tales are positively chilling though, except things like the Haslet Technique, which was good too.
Down to 2
I would have to say Salvation for the vivid horror and gore, but The Grave because its so f***ing funny. From the title you'd think you've got a typical " in the graveyard at midnight" story but its anything but that. I loved it..... I think I'll listen to it again now!
WOOF!