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Stuart Manning
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Dark Shadows: The House of Despair 1.1 Audio CD – Audiobook, May 15, 2009

4.7 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
After years of wandering, Quentin Collins is coming home.. But the Collinwood that awaits him is no longer the sanctuary he remembers. As the inhabitants of the town of Collinsport hide in fear from other worldly powers. Quentin vows to unite old friends and reclaim the Collins family stronghold.. The Dark Shadows legend continues in this all-new hour-long audio drama, reuniting the cast of the classic ABC-TV series.
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  1. Language
    English
  2. Publisher
    Big Finish Prod Ltd
  3. Publication date
    May 15, 2009
  4. Dimensions
    5.75 x 0.5 x 4.75 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1844352439
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1844352432
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"All the Little Raindrops: A Novel" by Mia Sheridan for $10.39
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Big Finish Prod Ltd (May 15, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1844352439
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1844352432
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.5 x 4.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

About the author

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Stuart Manning

Stuart Manning

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Stuart Manning is a London-based writer, designer and documentary filmmaker. As a journalist, he has contributed to a number of publications, including Radio Times, SFX and Doctor Who Magazine. His other work includes writing scripts for audio dramas and a BBC radio documentary, along with producing and directing special features for the ongoing Doctor Who blu-ray range.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
25 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and mesmerizing. They appreciate the pacing, with one customer highlighting the excellent Dark Shadows tale performed by the original actors.

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5 customers mention "Entertainment value"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and mesmerizing, with one mentioning it's great to reminisce about the television show they enjoyed as a child.

"...It was great to reminisce, hearing the original actors from "Return to Collinwood", but I felt the story was too "schmaltzy"...." Read more

"...I kept thinking, "The price is more than fair as this is very good entertainment." I do not believe Dark Shadows fans would be disappointed." Read more

"Great book and adudioes and DVD. Than you." Read more

"...It was fun to listen to and took me back to the old memories of the original series." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one mentioning it's an excellent Dark Shadows tale executed by the original actors, and another highlighting the charismatic performance of David Selby.

"...It was great to reminisce, hearing the original actors from "Return to Collinwood", but I felt the story was too "schmaltzy"...." Read more

"...drama featuring two of my favorite Dark Shadows actors, the charismatic David Selby and the icy Lara Parker...." Read more

"This audio book is an excellent Dark Shadows tale executed by the original actors from the 1960's gothic cult tv series...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • T. Woodman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    After listening to the sequel to Dark Shadows, "Return to Collinwood", I was left very disappointed. It was great to reminisce, hearing the original actors from "Return to Collinwood", but I felt the story was too "schmaltzy". I was hesitant to pick up with "The House of Despair". Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised!

    The "House of Despair" is eerie, beautiful and mesmerizing. It was great to have a new villain and storyline instead of rehashing Angelique as the main villain time after time.

    The voice actors, music, sound effects and writing are all haunting; excellent work!
    One person found this helpful
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  • ELC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quite a good audio drama
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    The acting, music and story all make this an audio CD worth owning. It has the "feel" of the original Dark Shadows TV series. I kept thinking, "The price is more than fair as this is very good entertainment." I do not believe Dark Shadows fans would be disappointed.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ouija
    4.0 out of 5 stars House of Despair Adds To the Mystique
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a Dark Shadows fanatic, and that's why I couldn't pass up this audio CD. This is a nicely done audio drama featuring two of my favorite Dark Shadows actors, the charismatic David Selby and the icy Lara Parker. The story has Quentin Collins (Selby) returning to Collinwood after many, many years, but the Collinwood he left is not the Collinwood of today. Strange supernatural powers are at work, and the residents of Collinsport are in fear for their lives. The best of anything involving Dark Shadows must include Barnabas Collins, and House of Despair is no exception. However, his role is read by Andrew Collins and not the magnificent Jonathan Frid. Andrew does a fine job, but I still keep pining for Frid. I can't help it. Overall, House of Despair is a solid audio drama and one that any Dark Shadows fan will enjoy. It's nice to hear the familiar voices of the characters and actors I've loved for decades. Nicely done.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Cherie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Shadows Audio Book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    This audio book is an excellent Dark Shadows tale executed by the original actors from the 1960's gothic cult tv series. I found it to be creative and dramatic. I could see the story unfolding in my mind's eye. The background music and effects draw the listener into the story. Best listened to at night....preferably with a thunderstorm brewing outside your window.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Sherry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Great book and adudioes and DVD. Than you.
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  • mary chapman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Been looking for this one! Love it!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Love Dark Shadows! Would buy more DS memorabilia! Recommend to DS fans! Thanks for putting out DS items! Hope the series lives on and on!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Debbie J. Blake
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    If you are an original Dark Shadows fan (1960's), you'll enjoy this. It was fun to listen to and took me back to the old memories of the original series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Penny D
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Shadows: The House of Despair is excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2006
    Dark Shadows: The House of Despair REVIEW

    I put the CD in with some trepidation. After all, I was rather disappointed by the highly anticipated `Return to Collinwood.' The characters and situations in that particular audio production didn't, in my opinion, accurately capture the characters and feel of Dark Shadows. I worried these new dramas might suffer from similar problems.

    There was no need for worry because the new Dark Shadows audio drama, `The House of Despair' is excellent.

    The writing is very good. The classic Dark Shadows characters are spot on, and are accurately depicted through well-written dialogue and first-rate acting. Quentin here is world-wise but still sarcastic and stubborn. He is not the full blown hero as in `Return to Collinwood', but a man searching for answers who is still haunted by his past sins and by his poor choices. Whereas Willie served as comic relief in `Return to Collinwood,' here he is an anxious, troubled man who has seen too many horrible things in his lifetime. Maggie now owns the Collinsport Diner, which was bought with help from Roger Collins in an effort to keep her quiet about the things she had seen at Collinwood. Maggie is weary and very insistent on staying far away from the Collins family. Angelique, ever untrustworthy, is very aware of her power and has some of the most frightening moments in the audio play. Her disturbing outburst when Barnabas is discussed offers dark insights into the witch's heart. She is still utterly obsessed with Barnabas Collins. The script offers characterizations which are very much in keeping with those of the classic series. It is easy to imagine the characters progressing in the manner depicted in `The House of Despair.' The writer, Stuart Manning, has a clear understanding of the subject matter, and has a firm grasp on the various nuances of Dark Shadows.

    The audio drama also succeeds in evoking the atmosphere of mystery, dread and impending doom which was a hallmark of classic Dark Shadows. Big Finish got it right, even down to the cliffhangers at the end of each episode. The sound effects, music (some of which is Bob Cobert's) and acting offer an ominous, Gothic picture of modern Collinsport. Collinwood, which has been taken over by evil forces, looms alone on the hill - presumably abandoned long ago by the missing present-day Collins family. Quentin, trying to unravel the mystery of his missing family, seeks aid from both Willie and Angelique.

    The actors do an amazing job of once again inhabiting their original roles. John Karlen especially brings the neurotic, troubled Willie to vivid life once again. Indeed, all of the actors really shine in `The House of Despair.' David Selby, Lara Parker and Kathryn Leigh Scott all succeed marvelously in recreating their original series roles, and portray the characters as if several unpleasant years have gone by in Collinsport.

    New characters also fare well. The Collinsport residents are appropriately suspicious and frightened when Quentin strolls into the Blue Whale. Quentin, in turn, is appropriately flippant in response.

    In Mr Strix , the audio drama gives us a supernatural being hitherto unseen in the `Dark Shadows' mythos - a strix or striga, which is a mythical Roman being often depicted as an evil flesh eating bird. The final confrontation with this character leads to revelations about the whereabouts of Barnabas Collins.

    The role of Barnabas has been recast in the audio drama. While many might not approve of this, the change is explained nicely in the story. Barnabas has been given a new body in `The House of Despair.' I admit to wishing I could have heard Jonathan Frid deliver Barnabas' lines. However, Andrew Collins does an admirable job of filling some very large and very important shoes in the Dark Shadows universe. The explanation given for the different voice in the story makes it much easier to digest and accept a new actor as Barnabas. Giving Barnabas a new body almost seems appropriate since Big Finish helped to keep Doctor Who alive. Doctor Who, of course, is well known for periodically changing bodies.

    The final scene in `The House of Despair' is perfect. We end with Barnabas, Quentin and Angelique, the original series' three most well-known and immortal characters standing together in Collinwood. They are all that is left of the Collins family, and none of them really trust each other. Each of these characters is unpredictable and capable of being quite dangerous. The very fact that the writer kept this in mind shows that he knows and understands the source material quite well. I do wish we could have had Jonathan Frid in this final scene. I can't help that. Selby and Parker are great here, and it just seems right that Frid would be there with them. However, I can accept the change, especially since there is a legitimate reason for it within the context of the story.

    I should also add that the reworking of Robert Cobert's opening title theme is wonderfully eerie. The combination of Cobert's themes with original music by Joseph Fox gives `The House of Despair' a newness, while still allowing listeners to keep one foot firmly planted in the classic mythos.

    `The House of Despair' succeeds where other Dark Shadows updates, remakes and continuations did not. It truly captures the elusive, peculiar feel of the original Dark Shadows. I recommend that all Dark Shadows fans pick up a copy of this audio drama. I think this is the best thing to happen to Dark Shadows in a long time. I hope that the rest of the audio dramas are as excellent as this one.
    25 people found this helpful
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