Title: Down from Ten
Author: J. Daniel Sawyer
Music by: Danny Schade
Genre: um…..
Released: 21 June 2009 – 18 April 2010
Located: Author’s Site, iTunes
Formats available: podcast only
Rating: Strong R or above
After having listened to J. Daniel Sawyer’s first podcast novel, Predestination and Other Games of Chance, I knew that I would automatically be giving the next thing he produced a chance. Down from Ten is that next thing. It was that simple.
So, on to the review.
Synopsis: In early January, a group of friends get together for an annual retreat; eight artists, scientists, and authors cloistered together in a mansion in the mountains above Redding, California for ten days of games, conversation, exhibition, and hedonism, while isolated from the outside world. It might all have been quite pleasant, if it weren’t for the biggest California snowstorm in over twenty years. When the storm hits, the house is buried in an avalanche, leaving our heroes with no way to hike out. Instead, they must find a way to survive and stay sane while waiting for rescue – which becomes difficult when they all start having the same dream.
A comedy in the tradition of The Shining and A Clockwork Orange, a romance in the tradition of Clue and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, and a mystery in the tradition of Paint Your Wagon and Time Enough For Love, Down From Ten will thrill you a little, chill you a little, and tickle your fancy in ways you wouldn’t want your children to see.
Down From Ten boasts an original score, a full voice cast, and professional soundscaping.
Intended for adult audiences.
(Stolen from the author’s site.)
Several notes on the synopsis. Yes, I know I don’t usually comment on the synopsis, but I feel I need to in this case. First, the intended for adult audiences really isn’t a suggestion. It is notification. There isn’t a single episode that is suitable for the entire family. If you decide to listen, you should know this going in. Second, I have a feeling that there will never be a work of fiction Mr. Sawyer writes that will be easily classifiable, easily listened to, or easy to create a synopsis for. While Down from Ten is everything the synopsis states, it is also nothing at all like the synopsis. It is much more.
Production: Let me simply state here. I’ve never been much of a worrier about production. I am all about the story, and even more about the characters. If you’ve read any of my reviews, you probably all ready know this. Many times I’ve written something along the lines of, “The production isn’t great, but the story is, so the production never bothered me.” Not exact, but along those lines. I’ve also heard a few podcasts that I have complimented for their production. There are a few podcast author’s that spend great amounts of time and effort on the production, and that always shows through. I of course notice, and appreciate. I’ve always stated though that I would listen to a great story even if the production was pretty bad. However, I’ve stated the reverse too. No matter how great the production, I would never listen to a podcast that had a weak or bad story. Then came Mr. Sawyer and Down from Ten. This production is nothing short of absolutely amazing. If you listened to this without really listening to the production, please go back and listen to at least one ep again. Please. Each location within the story has it’s own sound. If you’re listening with headphones, you’ll notice where each character is speaking from in the room in regards to you, the listener. Mr. Sawyer is a professional in this line of work (seriously, check his bio) and it has never been more apparent than with Down from Ten.
Cast: The cast for Down from Ten reads like a freaking Who’s Who of podcast fiction. Tee Morris. Pip Ballantine. Nathan Lowell. Nobilis Reed. Christiana Ellis. Kitty Nic’Iaian, Miss Kalendar, Chris Lester, Gail Carriger and Spinderfly. Also guest viola playing by P.C. Haring. They each do an admirable job and together are amazing. Each and every one nailed their roles. Really, what more can I say? If you are familiar with most of their work, that should speak volumes.
Story: From the very first ep, I could tell Down from Ten would not be a podcast that I could just listen to casually. Some podcasts I can listen to while I do pretty much anything. Not Mr. Sawyer’s. If you have anything that is going to demand your attention more intently that reminding yourself to breathe, I’d say save Down from Ten for another time.
Down from Ten will not be for everyone. I don’t think Mr. Sawyer is necessarily trying to offend anyone, but I do believe he wants to make his audience think. If this requires a “shot across the bow” of conventionally held morals or beliefs, he’ll definitely attack with all cannons firing.
Verdict: I will say that all the characters were expertly written and acted. That is what happens when you have a great writer working with some of the best voices in the business today. I will also say that I didn’t really like any of them much. HOWEVER, they ALL interested me, even if it was because I wanted to see them beat to a pulp. Down from Ten is amazing in it’s scope and it’s detail. It has THE most surprising ending I’ve EVER heard in a podcast and I defy anyone to see it coming.
If you want something that is highly unique, lovingly and lavishly produced, challenging to conventional thought and with an ending that will make you want to relisten to see if there were clues you missed, don’t wait any longer.
However, if you’ve become upset or irritated when you’ve read something that contradicts your belief system, I suggest you might want to give this one a pass.
Disclosure: I have never met J.D. Sawyer, but have followed him on Twitter since beginning the Predestination podcast. He is not what I would call verbose in that setting, but will talk to you if you have something to say that interests him. I have not received anything from him in return for this review. (I wrote this disclosure for Predestination, and upon rereading it, I’ve decided I can’t do much better. In between the two stories I have conversed with Mr. Sawyer substantially more. He is a very interesting individual and one that I do admire.)
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