Twilight Histories

I was trawling for podcasts about the black plague and the 2nd episode of this show came up. I was skeptical - the artwork led me to suspect this wouldn’t have a sniffy British host like I’d grown accustomed to - but I added it to my queue and hit play. So glad I did! It hooked me from the beginning. It was well-paced and informative; very well written, too. It did a great job transporting me to another place and time and immersing me in that environment. It was also chock-full of enlightening details about the time period. While I already knew a good number of the facts, it distinguished itself by the concept - you’re the protagonist! This has elevated the form by letting the humanity break through, an achievement lacking in many typical narrative podcasts. If I’m this gushy about episode 2, I can’t wait to see how it grows and matures in future episodes. I’m thrilled I found it. Commence binging!

Maybe it's the only way, but giving you the first part of a series is a scummy way to try to get you to pay. I was fine with not getting stories, or not getting them until much later, but being given the first bit? It's a real shame because the story telling is 5/5 otherwise.

Anyone have a list of faves? I’ve either listened or fallen asleep part of the way through everything and looking to revisit some good ones. Keep up the good work!

The idea is akin to the TV show Sliders from the 90s. Except in this concept it’s monetized. Explore the multiverse. See what could have happened in history in this well researched and deeply thought through what if stories. (With some off the wall sci-fi possibilities peppered in for good measure… I’m looking at you Blue Dragons.) The supporting characters in almost every story have depth and realism in mind. The world building is top notch. Well done. I just skip the ones read by Field, the story delivery is unlistenable. The intonation of each sentence grates somewhere in the Venn diagram between whining and overacting and smug self-satisfaction. Like nails on a chalkboard for me.