To celebrate the much anticipated re-launch of award-winning author Patrick Ness’s collection of short stories “Topics About Which I Know Nothing”, Read for RNIB has joined with publishers Fourth Estate to release an exclusive audio version of one of the stories, narrated by Hollywood actor Christopher Eccleston.
“Now That You’ve Died”
The story, “Now That You’ve Died”, takes readers, and listeners, on an exhilarating journey into the afterlife.
It was written by Patrick especially for Read for RNIB and now, for the first time, everyone can experience and enjoy the audio story here.
In return, we ask you to consider making a donation to RNIB to help make reading more accessible to blind and partially sighted people.
Sense Story
The story was originally performed as an exhilarating interactive theatrical, part of our Sense Story Series, in 2013 when RNIB brought together a highly acclaimed team including co-directors Hector Harkness (Punchdrunk), Kate Hargreaves (Gideon Reeling), producer Colin Nightingale (Punchdrunk and Gideon Reeling) and Matthias Kispert (sound composer) with the task of creating an entirely inclusive experience which could be enjoyed equally by blind and partially audiences as by everyone else.
Audience members listened, tasted and smelled their way through the story as they were physically moved through the story within the confines of a conventional lift.
Read for RNIB Day campaign manager, Becca McRow, said;
Now That You’ve Died is another fine example of Patrick’s finesse for storytelling which is both captivating yet challenging to the reader and we’re honoured that he wrote it in support of Read for RNIB Day.
So many of us love to get lost in a good book, but experiencing a story isn’t just about the written words on a page; we want to encourage people to think differently about reading.
Christopher Eccleston brings the story to life superbly and we’re delighted that we can now open up this fantastic audio version of the story to members of the public. We ask for a donation in return to help RNIB continue its vital work in making reading more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.”
Patrick Ness
Patrick became just the second author ever to win the Carnegie Medal in two consecutive years when he scooped the prestigious honour in 2011 and 2012 for Monsters of Men and A Monster Calls. He spoke of his delight in working with Read for RNIB Day:
I’ve been lucky enough to win the Carnegie Medal a couple times, and one of most brilliant things about it is getting a braille copy of your winning book and meeting some awesome young blind and partially sighted readers. When RNIB offered me the idea of a “play without visuals”, I leapt at it. I hope it brings a huge spotlight on Read for RNIB Day.”
