BBC Neverwhere

It’s out! It’s out! The BBC Radio’s adaptation of Neverwhere! Right now, I’m curled up under the covers with a cup of tea listening to the first episode, which is the absolutely best way to celebrate the end of winter quarter. I have been so excited for this to come out, both because Neverwhere is one of my favorite novels, and because I’ve been so excited over a voice cast that involves James McAvoy (as the main character, no less), Natalie Dormer (though I was surprised by her casting as Door), and Bennedict Cumberbatch, among others.

Neverwhere was exactly the book I needed to find that summer. I was getting entirely disillusioned with world-building, medieval fantasy, craving urban-esque fantasy, and getting over the Harry Potter movies being over (which was less depressing than the books being over, but sort of the final nail in the coffin). Thus, I loved the novel and its portrayal of the fantastical London Underground and biting social commentary on the plight of the homeless in London. (I used quite a bit of it as the guiding backbone for my final society paper while on that program). As it happened, I read Neverwhere only weeks before I left for my seven-week London study abroad adventure. As a result, the image of London-in-literature I carried most strongly in my mind when I left wasn’t the London of Oscar Wilde, or Dickens, it was Neil Gaimen’s fantastical London Below. Listening to this production is making me relive my London trip all over again.

As for the voice actors, I nearly jumped up and down with glee when I read the casting: James McAvoy as Richard Mayhew (yay!), Bennedict Cumberbatch as Islington, and Natalie Dormer as Door. And now, I’m going to go get another cup of tea, and listen to the next installment. By the way, James McAvoy, your Scottish accent is unforgivably attractive. :)