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Bernice Summerfield Anthologies #15
True Stories
Bernice Summerfield: True Stories features six stories about everyone's favourite archaeologist, with unusual digs, daring missions and more, all set in the Unbound Universe of the recent audios. The writers are Jon Blum & Rupert Booth, Xanna Eve Chown, Tim Gambrell, Matthew Griffiths, Kate Orman & Q, and Victoria Simpson.
260 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 23, 2018
I did listen to the audiobook version read by Lisa Bowerman.
These are some fun and outrageous stories of Benny in the Unbound Universe (a parallel universe to our own; in the previous audio drama box set she got accidently abducted by the Doctor of this parallel universe and he gave her a space ship so she can get about).
If you know and love Benny, you know exactly what you are getting: lots of drinking, Bennys type of humor, some space archeology on the side and some wacky adventures.
Benny is wonderfully brought to life by her long time voice actress Lisa Bowerman.
So if you like Benny, you will most likely like this one, too.
If you do not like her, stay away. This certainly will not change your mind.
And if you are new, at least get the Third New Adventures Box Set (Unbound Universe) first- it is kind of a jumping on point and you do not need too much basic knowledge.
All in all fun and enjoyable.
These are some fun and outrageous stories of Benny in the Unbound Universe (a parallel universe to our own; in the previous audio drama box set she got accidently abducted by the Doctor of this parallel universe and he gave her a space ship so she can get about).
If you know and love Benny, you know exactly what you are getting: lots of drinking, Bennys type of humor, some space archeology on the side and some wacky adventures.
Benny is wonderfully brought to life by her long time voice actress Lisa Bowerman.
So if you like Benny, you will most likely like this one, too.
If you do not like her, stay away. This certainly will not change your mind.
And if you are new, at least get the Third New Adventures Box Set (Unbound Universe) first- it is kind of a jumping on point and you do not need too much basic knowledge.
All in all fun and enjoyable.
September 21, 2018
A look at each story in this volume, following Bernice Summerfield through adventures in the Unbound Universe.
Hue and Cry: This story finds Bennie at an archaeological digsite where most of the people resent, a young alien art student who's constantly hanging around her. This is the longest story in the release and that's unfortunate as the art student becomes a bit of a Mary Sue who practically Bennie into a secondary character in her own story while the rest of the characters are one dimensional. Not awful, but pretty weak.
Never the Way: Bennie is on the run with a young princess caught in the crossfire of a feud in the planet's royal family. It's a good story. It resolves a time travel thread from the previous story in a pretty anti-climatic way, but on the plus side, it has a surprising and very cool climax.
Fast Contact: Benny is trying to uncover the secrets of a planet's past and is trying a new device that pulls people out of history-for speed dates. This is a humorous concept with a lot of nice plot twists.
Future Proof: This is probably the only story to make use of the setting. The Unbound Universe Bennie is in is dying and everyone knows it. Bennie comes to a planet where young people have decided to go to the actual end to see the end and attend a big party. But when things don't turn out as they hope, how will they (and Bennie) get back home? A really good story and an interesting exploration of the effects of knowing when the world will end.
Stockholm from Home: Bennie finds herself mysteriously shipped off to a resort, which actually out turns to be a retirement home. It turns out the retirement home is actually under siege by alien invaders and feels compelled to send the invasion ship supplies to help until it can finally get around to its long-promised invasion.
This is a hilarious story, that's filled with great gags from start to finish. Easily my favorite of the set.
Bliss: Bennie lands on a world where there are no people about. Not a bad story, but the story is a bit too much concept and not too much story. It's a story that loves its concept even if it's not all that original.
Overall, a decent collection of Bennie stories even though I think most of them could have been set anywhere, therefore not making the best use of the setting. Still, all in all, a fun read/listen.
Hue and Cry: This story finds Bennie at an archaeological digsite where most of the people resent, a young alien art student who's constantly hanging around her. This is the longest story in the release and that's unfortunate as the art student becomes a bit of a Mary Sue who practically Bennie into a secondary character in her own story while the rest of the characters are one dimensional. Not awful, but pretty weak.
Never the Way: Bennie is on the run with a young princess caught in the crossfire of a feud in the planet's royal family. It's a good story. It resolves a time travel thread from the previous story in a pretty anti-climatic way, but on the plus side, it has a surprising and very cool climax.
Fast Contact: Benny is trying to uncover the secrets of a planet's past and is trying a new device that pulls people out of history-for speed dates. This is a humorous concept with a lot of nice plot twists.
Future Proof: This is probably the only story to make use of the setting. The Unbound Universe Bennie is in is dying and everyone knows it. Bennie comes to a planet where young people have decided to go to the actual end to see the end and attend a big party. But when things don't turn out as they hope, how will they (and Bennie) get back home? A really good story and an interesting exploration of the effects of knowing when the world will end.
Stockholm from Home: Bennie finds herself mysteriously shipped off to a resort, which actually out turns to be a retirement home. It turns out the retirement home is actually under siege by alien invaders and feels compelled to send the invasion ship supplies to help until it can finally get around to its long-promised invasion.
This is a hilarious story, that's filled with great gags from start to finish. Easily my favorite of the set.
Bliss: Bennie lands on a world where there are no people about. Not a bad story, but the story is a bit too much concept and not too much story. It's a story that loves its concept even if it's not all that original.
Overall, a decent collection of Bennie stories even though I think most of them could have been set anywhere, therefore not making the best use of the setting. Still, all in all, a fun read/listen.
September 1, 2019
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3250875.html
Six short stories set in a slightly different universe to Benny's original environment. I liked the first two most, "Hue and Cry" by Kate Orman and Q and "Never the Way" by Jonathan Blum and Rupert Booth. I might have liked others more if I were more au fait with the continuity.
Six short stories set in a slightly different universe to Benny's original environment. I liked the first two most, "Hue and Cry" by Kate Orman and Q and "Never the Way" by Jonathan Blum and Rupert Booth. I might have liked others more if I were more au fait with the continuity.
October 7, 2020
I loved the concept of this short story anthology that Benny finds herself on trial and has to tell some stories and have at least one of them be a lie. Like all short story anthologies some of the stories are hits and others are misses (purely personal which is which) but overall I really enjoyed it.
September 5, 2020
A good anthology of benny stories.
June 23, 2021
A solid collection of stories.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews