Inhumanity Quest
by T. Ray Gordon / Rick Sellers
Read by Richard Sellers
The title credits that appear on the CD jacket (listed above) are somewhat deceiving. This
nostalgic piece is actually narrated, not read, by Richard Sellers, who also doubles as
producer, director, and effective one-man crew. This production is definitely not a sci-fi
book on CD; rather, Inhumanity Quest is a full-fledged theatrical radio play, filled with
numerous, well-defined characters, sound effects, and a moving, original, music score.
(note: the jacket contains an obviously staged picture of "last known photo of T. Ray Gordon".
I would like to see a comparison photo of Richard Sellers).
The play involves a journey into space during an interplanetary war, and a "black helicopter"
scheme hatched at the very top of Earth's government. The ship's captain sounded a bit
like "Jimmy Stewart does George C. Scott", but was appropriate for the role. Numerous
characters are well played, especially the woman who voiced the android who sacrifices
herself for the good of the mission. She had the difficult task of expressing a hint of
emotion in an otherwise emotionless incarnation. A very good job. And Mr. Sellers narrates
with an earnest tone, "selling" the importance and tragic nature of the events as they
unfold.
The story is divided into chapters, each one with a climax that leads into the next
part of the story. Music, as stated above, was well done, as were the sound effects. I
understand that there really would be no sound in space, but our film/TV culture teaches
the opposite, so I regretfully give-in to this scientific impossibility. One slight point:
the effect used for the "monster" (the Kaden) sounded mostly like a combination of a thousand
industrial toilets and the MGM lion. I chuckled when I heard it, probably not the desired
effect. But, after all, this is supposed to be a bit "cheesy", so maybe an occasional
laugh is intended.
I listened to Inhumanity Quest on a cross-country car trip, specifically through
a long, endless stretch of I-70 through Kansas. This story made me smile; it kept my interest
and made me forget that I was in the middle of Kansas. I admired the obvious care and
feeling that went into each aspect of the production. Mr. Sellers has assembled a terrific
team of actors/technicians, and I encourage him to take his talented efforts onward. Truly,
Inhumanity Quest deserves an encore. |
The Book |
Apex Audio Theatre |
9-1-05 |
Audiobook radio play |
ISBN |
Teen / Young adult - Science Fiction / Space |
Hear
an excerpt and purchase |
NOTE: |
The Reviewer |
Lane Cohen |
Reviewed 2005 |
NOTE: Reviewer Lane
Cohen is the author of Down Time. |
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