From An Island is an unsettling, eerie insight into an alternative, Orwellian Great Britain. As an Englishman it was fascinating, yet harrowing, to see my little island depicted as a dystopian society rather than other more typical options across the globe.The story is told via different forms of audio pieced together, such as voicemails, audio books and recording from microphones used to snoop on the public. Great Britain has voluntarily exiled itself from the rest of the world. A dictatorial prime minister has overturned freedoms and enhanced nationalism under the guise of saving the country and its citizens. The media is controlled and censored, travel is limited and the population is forced to toe the line under fear of death. This is a fantastic premise which largely delivers, setting a scene that is suitably gloomy and depressing. The writing and voice acting deliver with sincerity across the four short episodes. At 7-12 minutes each, the entire story is told in less than 45 minutes - while I am a fan of short podcasts (both fiction and non-fiction), I was left wanting more. This is actually a backhanded compliment as well as a criticism because I would have liked to have had even more details of this world and its characters revealed over a longer series. The main plot and its twist would have benefited from more depth and better pacing with a longer runtime.Nonetheless, I have full admiration that this little project from radio presenter Ben Burrell is as good as it is. From An Island is certainly worth a listen and I hope the creator decides to return to audio drama, either revisiting this series or embarking on a new project.

Aug 23rd, 2022

mlmyhre

This is great, but way too short - just four episodes, none of which are more than about 15 minutes. Sort of an Orwellian society set in the future in "New Great Britain". It appears this is only a one-season story, but I'd be interested other podcasts from the same producers.

May 13th, 2021

ashimota2