J.D. Sanderson

I received an e-copy of Around The Dark Dial: Inspired by 1950’s Radio Dramas, authored by J. D. Sanderson, for review consideration ahead of its re-release in January of 2021, since 2020 has been cruel to, well, everything and everyone. What follows below is my honest review, freely given.

I rated this collection 5 stars. The foreword mentioned The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits and Star Trek while growing up. Mine was The Outer Limits and Tales From the Crypt. I would watch them on this show more 12” TV with foil wrapped bunny ears, late at night when they would have several in a row. It was heaven to me growing up.

HELLO THERE
This brought to mind The Southern Reach Trilogy, authored by Jeff VanderMeer, in that there is a barrier from unknown origin, and within, our world has been changed. This read more as science fiction than horror, which The Southern Reach Trilogy leaned into.

CALLER FOUR
X-Files! I completely forgot about the X-Files, and this had that feel, that vibe. And that truthful reality that if you poke at something, and it’s badder than you...

THE SIMULANT
That there can be so many stories showing the mistrust people can have against someone/thing different than them is sad because of how steeped in truth they are; will we ever evolve past this?

HEADLINE
I had chills by the end of this one.

DAUGHTER
And I got a bit sniffly during this one; wonderfully written, one of my favorite.

HELLO AGAIN
This is connected to Hello There and Welcome, creating the only serial type story in this collection. We learn more about what moves within the barrier. Another favorite of mine.

THE SNOWSTORM
My absolute favorite, also the most terrifying. Think Nick Cutter’s The Acolyte scary.

THE CIRCUS PEANUT GALLERY
I thought it was such a lovely idea, but by the end was left feeling that humanity as a whole was once again failing this big exam.

REARING
Nature vs. Nurture isn’t the correct way to label this, but it’s the closest I can come up with at the moment. Another favorite.

CHOICE
Loved this one too, I know which way I would decide but can understand the other side as well. Maybe if I get old enough, or see enough, my choice would be different, you never know.

WELCOME
The end of the serial story, at least in this publication. It made me think of how we would have reacted, as a people, in their place. Would we have been so stalwart in fixing our mistake when no one could point fingers? show less