Just One Damned Thing After Another

By: Marty Ross

Narrated by: Gemma Whelan, Ben Miles, Jonathan Bailey, Zara Ramm

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

Time travel meets history in this new drama adaptation by Marty Ross.

'So tell me, Dr Maxwell, if the whole of history lay before you...where would you go? What would you like to witness?'

When Max, a recent ancient history graduate, is offered a mysterious job at St Mary's Historical Research Institute, she quickly comes to realise this isn't any old stuffy research library. At St Mary's the historians don't just study the past - they revisit it.

What begins as an academic exploration of events, such as the Peterloo Massacre, takes a dark and dangerous turn, and the historians of St Mary's soon learn that it's not just history they're fighting....

Follow the tea-soaked disaster magnets of St Mary's as they rattle around history. Because wherever these historians go, chaos is sure to follow.

Starring Gemma Whelan (SAG nominated, Game of Thrones, Gulliver's Travels), Ben Miles (SAG nominated, The Crown, V for Vendetta), Jonathan Bailey (Broadchurch, Leonardo, The Mercy) and Zara Ramm (narrator of the original Chronicles of St Mary's audiobooks), this Audible Original production will transport you to iconic moments throughout history, from the Cretaceous period to the destruction of the Great Library at Alexandria.

©2017 Marty Ross (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Critic Reviews

"A Terry Pratchett- and Neil Gaiman-inspired adventure." (NME)

"If you’re already a fan of the series, this is a no-brainer." (Starburst)

"Once you've started listening, you'll find it hard to stop until the story is complete." (Sci-Fi Online)

"What begins as an academic exploration of events such as the Peterloo Massacre, takes a dark and dangerous turn...." (Daily Mirror)

Might be tough for longtime series fans

Any additional comments?

I am frustrated by this audioplay... I love this St. Mary's universe and want nothing but continued success and fame for author Jodi Taylor, including expansion to other forms of media if possible. I am never the person to snobbishly complain about book-to-video adaptations and actually prefer the opportunity to see a different creative take on great stories. But the script of this adaptation just doesn't sit right when compared to the book series.

While the vocal performances are quite good (especially the always brilliant Zara Ramm), and some details from the books are beautifully incorporated in this audioplay (Bairstow's ticking clock, Kleio's musical tones), there are many distracting changes to some seminal St. Mary's themes and details.

Some of the main cast of characters are essentially ignored (Peterson, Foster, Dowson, Mack), and some have quite different personalities (Leon is melodramatic, publicly flirtatious, and classically charming instead of painfully stoic, romantically awkward, and flawed). Many elements from the book are included, but in a different order or under different circumstances that feel shoe-horned for no reason instead of out of necessity for the change in storytelling format.

I must give credit to the way the scenes at the WWI hospital at the Somme were recorded... that was one of the most emotionally impactful parts from the book for me, and the sound effects used in this audioplay really ramp up the intensity.

It is not an unpleasant listen, and I'm glad I gave it a shot, but I have a feeling die-hard St. Mary's fans will not enjoy as much as they had hoped.

28 of 29 people found this review helpful

Why, Why, Why change so much

What would have made Just One Damned Thing After Another better?

It wouldn't take much, just stay with the story as originally written by Jodi Taylor. I understand that changes need to be made for this type of adaptation, but there is NO reason to re-write it. The many, many followers of the 'disaster-magnets of St. Mary's' prove that Jodi Taylor has done a great job of creating a world, populating it with characters you care about who act consistently throughout, without being in your face hostile and aggressive.

Would you ever listen to anything by Marty Ross again?

Not if it is a dramatization of popular series.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Extreme disappointment with Audible and Accent for allowing this project to continue with all of the changes made; with some anger at the changes made which are contrary not only to the original, but with the philosophy of the 'world'; and sadness that new listeners would think that this is St. Mary's and the story written by Jodi Taylor. I was also astounded by the aggressive, back-stabbing confrontations that were created and that the subtlety and quiet humor was wholly lacking.

Any additional comments?

This is not a story for die-hard fans of St. Mary's or anyone who might want to be one.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Sod this for a Game of Soldiers

I don't even know how to rate this book. One star, yes. Uninspired cast/performance, yes. Bad script, yes. A word about Jodi Taylor, she is one of the best writers of dialog out there, but these idiots changed it and left out the best lines. I didn't like this book? performance? whatever this thing is. And the sound is bloody awful too. For the movie please get a good writer. Why don't I know how to rate this? Because it is Jodi and Max and I love them, and it is a good story, just not this time.

If you have not read the book, don't read this, it is not the book, you will love the book. If you have read the book, run.

Where was Peterson? Max's best friend. Shows up twice. Markham the third member of the dream team is a clown????

15 of 18 people found this review helpful

Love the Books, the audio movie gave me a headache

What disappointed you about Just One Damned Thing After Another?

the overuse of sound effects. the overuse of screaming. The extended "scenes" that i just, for the love of god, wanted to end.

Would you ever listen to anything by Jodi Taylor and Marty Ross - script again?

An absolute yes to Jodi Taylor. I'm sure Marty Ross can turn out a fine script, just not this time.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of the narrators?

The narrators were okay. Zara Ramm is fantastic.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The original story is wonderful. Buy that one and all the rest in the series.

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Can they do this for all the books??

Where does Just One Damned Thing After Another rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It definitely ranks at the top! The cast was incredible and brought to life a story I already love. I really enjoyed the entire thing, so it's at the top of my list.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that they stuck close to the original, but added in scenes we wouldn't normally have seen/heard. Such as Barclay & Ronan, Ronan & Sussman, all of the little bits we either didn't know happened or knew happened but now we were exposed to them.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

I love Zara Ramm and her continued performance of Max is brilliant. I really enjoyed the multiple narrators and they each brought personality to the character they were voicing.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Awful

Maybe if you haven't read the book you might endure, but if you're a fan of the books or audio books stay clear!!!

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

A fun addition

I adore the series this is based on, Fantastic in every way. I have read the critical reviews and have to disagree, respectfully. This is not meant to be another in the series, this is a fun adaption of the first book. It is like a play.. Not everything is included and things were changed, but it is still a blast. I felt is was a cool peek into the Saint Mary's Universe from a different view point. I agree the original series should be read first, but I truly enjoyed this book.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Do you like ‘time travel’?

If so, this is a great romp. A little overwhelming at times but true to the title, it IS one damned thing after another! The actors are quite good. You may recognize some of your favorites, especially if you’re a fan of one particular... [cough cough] HBO series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Awesome ! Btw - the actual book is by Jodi Taylor

Loved this adaptation of the first book of my favorite book series . Highly recommend you read the books first before listening to this adaptation .
The only thing I didn’t like was that Ross changed some things from the book - which weren’t necessary . Stick to the book Marty !
Hope he will continue to adapt the rest of the books - the actors were WONDERFUL !

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

SPECTACULAR

I love this series!! And this "movie" was just spectacular!!! I hope the others are done this way because I would love to have them in my collection!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

One damned thong after another:Audio drama

I have all of the chronicals, novels and short stories and I listen to them over and over, and I have wished hard for a tv series or film. Then, lo and behold! an audio play. There is none of the struggle that comes from thinking that I would not have cast one or other actor in any particular part, here, because you don't see them and so your imagination isn't dissappointed, which is a problem for me if I have followef a series of books. Obviously the play is not in the exact form of the book but the story is all there. I. LOVED. IT ! I bought it yesterday and have already
istened to it twice. l may even listen to it again today because, quite frankly, it is better than the telly. Please make more!

20 of 21 people found this review helpful

Slightly slow start but my god does it get going!!

If you could sum up Just One Damned Thing After Another in three words, what would they be?

Just Damned Loved (it!)

What other book might you compare Just One Damned Thing After Another to, and why?

I suppose it reminded me a bit of Harry Potter in some way, but really quite original n new.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

Ben Miles is a cool actor but all the narrators did a great job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All the time travel scenes were brilliant. There's a scene with a dying soldier in the war which practically made me cry n there's a great sex scene which feels very real n fun.

Any additional comments?

downloaded this because I loved the Romeo and Juliet adaptation that the writer did and this is very different but just as good. Starts a setting the scene which was a bit slow maybe but then it gets going and it's fantastic!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

outstanding

This is the next level of audio books. the production value, voice acting, atmosphere was incredible. I didn't want it to end.

I reccomend you listen to the original book first. then put this on sit back and enjoy. Please do this to all if the books.

17 of 18 people found this review helpful

Love it

Great start of what will be a different genre of the adventures of Max and St Mary's ! Just love Zara Ramm as Max and the rest of the cast don't disappoint either. One of many I hope?

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

A Real Delight!

What made the experience of listening to Just One Damned Thing After Another the most enjoyable?

This is truly an 'audio movie' as described I felt like I was IN the story watching over Max's shoulder as it all happened around me. The acting is superb.

What did you like best about this story?

The scenes in The Somme were very emotive and the cretaceous section is vivid and exciting.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

Some characters have been changed and some have been cut and some of the story has been adapted or simplified and this has frustrated some fans of the original books but I know that things have to be changed to fit other media formats. Whenever I watch a film adaptation of a story I know, I don't expect it to be the same as the book so this is no different. I enjoyed Isabella, Max and Ronan (in real baddie mode here) the most.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Ever wanted to work at St. Mary's? Now's Your Chance to Walk in Their Shoes.

Any additional comments?

I was initially put off choosing this after reading some very mixed reviews, but I am glad I did. It is much more of an immersive experience than other radio dramas I have listened to and I loved it. More please.

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable AudioBook / Audio Drama Production!

Where does Just One Damned Thing After Another rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've really been enjoying this new style of meshing audiobooks with full cast dramatisations from Audible! This is the third I've heard, diving into a new franchise all fresh, and it keeps up the standards I've experienced elsewhere.

What did you like best about this story?

Really solid productions values. Don't know the original books but this stands up as a well-produced audiobook/full cast listening experience.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

Just one great line after another

Really enjoyed this production. Great direction and production, and loved travelling through history!

Plenty of laugh out loud moments. Listened to the whole thing in one sitting!!

Going to buy the book this was adapted from now...

19 of 21 people found this review helpful

I didn't know St Mary's could get better!

I am a huge St Mary's fan, and didn't see how the audible books could be improved, BUT .... Wow! The audible movie blew me away! The cast are superb. So glad Zara Ramm is playing Max, and the whole gang are credible and convincing throughout. Cal is wonderful in the Somme section, Dr Bairstow is just how I imagined him, and Max trying to herd a Dino out of the pod is priceless.

I can't wait for the movies of the rest now. Please Audible! Please do the rest!
Well done. Fantastic, addictive stuff.

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

Brilliant reworking of a great story

I love the St Mary books and have listened to all of them. While some of this wasn't exactly what I had in my head it was still a brilliant adaptation.

I'd love to see something like this done for the long earth series of books.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Revisiting the beginning

I have followed Max's adventures from the befit and to revisit it now, as a play was thrilling but also something to get used to. Some of the characters sounded nothing like I imagined and took some getting used to.
A well written adaptation though and definitely worth listening to.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful