The Man Who Would Be King
Kipling's chilling adventure about two men who set out to be kings of a remote region of Afghanistan. Kipling, our narrator, tells this strange story: he was running a newspaper in a big Indian city. In the hot stillness of one night when he was putting the paper to bed, two men came into his office. They were red-bearded giant Daniel Dravot and his friend Peachy Carnehan. These two 'gentlemen at large', as they called themselves, lately of the British army, had put together an insane and dangerous plan: they wanted to be Kings of Kafiristan, a mountainous region of Afghanistan. Three years later, a crippled man in rags comes into Kipling's office. He is Peachy Carnehan, and he relates the chilling story of their adventure. A thrilling and haunting story about the folly and glory of imperial ambition, yet at its heart this is also a story of friendship.
A Crown of Ambition and Shadows
Rudyard Kipling's chilling tale of imperial folly, "The Man Who Would Be King," gets a masterfully chilling rendition in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatization. Buckle up for a thrilling audio journey into the heart of Afghanistan, where ambition and madness dance a deadly waltz.
From the opening narration, voiced by a captivating Blake Ritson as Kipling, the atmosphere is thick with heat and anticipation. The arrival of the enigmatic Daniel Dravot (Richard Ridings) and his boisterous partner Peachey Carnehan (Samuel James) shatters the stillness of Kipling's newspaper office. Their audacious plan – to carve out a kingdom for themselves in the uncharted wilds of Kafiristan – is met with disbelief and a hint of morbid fascination.
The drama unfolds through Carnehan's fractured memories, voiced with a haunting weariness by Samuel James. We witness their perilous journey, their initial triumphs, and the slow descent into madness as their ambitions clash with the harsh realities of tribal politics and hidden dangers. The supporting cast delivers stellar performances, breathing life into the diverse characters – the cunning Timuk (Peter Polycarpou), the enigmatic tribesmen, and the tragic young woman caught in the crossfire.
The production design is equally impressive. Sound effects transport you to bustling bazaars and treacherous mountain passes, while the score adds layers of unease and grandeur. The use of silence is particularly effective, letting the listener fill the gaps with their own imaginations, making the shadows in Dravot and Carnehan's hearts feel all the more real.
"The Man Who Would Be King" is more than just a thrilling adventure. It's a cautionary tale about the seductive allure of power and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The audio format adds a layer of intimacy, drawing you deeper into the characters' motivations and the moral complexities of their choices.
Highlights:
- Stellar performances: The full cast delivers nuanced and captivating portrayals, breathing life into Kipling's vivid characters.
- Gripping narrative: The fractured storytelling keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to piece together the truth of their doomed expedition.
- Immersive sound design: From bustling markets to echoing mountaintops, the audio effects transport you directly into the heart of the story.
- Hauntingly beautiful score: Music adds layers of emotion and suspense, perfectly complementing the narrative.
Minor quibbles:
- The archaic language may pose a slight challenge for some listeners.
- The fast-paced narration might require some rewinding to catch key details.
Overall:
"The Man Who Would Be King: A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation" is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys a thrilling narrative with a touch of the macabre. It's a powerful and haunting exploration of ambition, friendship, and the perils of crossing the line between reality and delusion. Just be prepared to be left with a lingering sense of unease and the echo of Kipling's words: "The Gods of the Hills are jealous gods."
Verdict: A chilling and captivating audio drama that will stay with you long after the final credits roll. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, adventure, and psychological thrillers.
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The story is narrated by a journalist who happens to meet two Englishmen Daniel Dravot and Peachy Carnehan, in a train in the times when India was still under the British rule. These two guys worked as sailor, photographers, petty contractors, engine drivers, boiler fitters etc and eventually come to a conclusion that India is not the place for their dream, and that is to become King of some land. Hence, they chose Kafiristan, a place in Afghanistan where they find that the place is ruled by tribes and have no proper King under one rule. They take the help of the journo to get smuggled into Afghanistan cleverly under disguise and were successful in making the people of Kafiristan believe that they are Gods in human form. The people there though innocent in the belief but were not ready to accept them as part and parcel of their tribes. All goes well until one day Daniel wants to have a female, as a wife, from among the tribes. This proposal of Daniel was opposed by Carnehan as the contract between them states that they should never touch or want any woman in foreign land, but rebuked by Daniel.. This aggravates the situation and the tribes realize the fact that these two guys were just humans cheating them as Gods. They brutally kill Daniel and crucify Carnehan. The severely injured Carnehan, somehow escapes from Kafiristan and come back to the journo to tell him what happened. Ultimately, he also dies in an asylum, repenting for what happened.
Positives: The author’s regular style of narration in poetic form is once again replicated. A man’s ability to reach his goal through will power and intelligence and the same man’s downfall due to excessive greed and wrong decisions is well brought out in this book. A must learn moral for every aspiring man and woman. The book has a wonderful poetic narration which can be enjoyed until the last page.
Negatives: The brutality of the Afghan tribes in killing Daniel who according them had cheated the people of Kafiristan, creates a kind of negative impact on Afghan way of living.
My rating is 4 out of 5
