From School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up-The Saint Charles Players present a radio theater of Bram Stoker's classic suspense novel "The Jewel of the Seven Stars." A famous Egyptologist is found in a coma after being attacked by an unknown person. A young barrister is called to his home at midnight to solve the mystery. He is in love with the daughter of the Egyptologist who has been doing experiments to bring back to life the mummy of Queen Tera, who ruled 25 centuries before Christ. Some critics at the time of its writing (1903) called this novel a chilling tale of ritual magic. More recent critics, such as Glen St. John Barclay (Twentieth Century Literary Criticism, Vol. 8, Gale), have called it a novel with no action and no attempt at characterization. Although the story may seem dated and melodramatic by today's standards, the plot has inspired two movies: Blood from the Mummy's Tomb (1971) and The Awakening (1980). The characters are portrayed by seven actors who make the dramatization easy to follow. Mysterious music and believable sound effects add to the suspense. The cardboard jacket is not sturdy enough for repeated circulation, although the cover art is appropriate for the gothic nature of the dramatization. Students studying Dracula who want a taste of Stoker's other novels may find these tapes useful.-Sandra L. Doggett, Urbana High School, Ijamsville, MD
Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Audio Cassette
edition.
Adapted from Stoker's novel THE JEWEL OF THE SEVEN STARS, this early tale of Egyptian curses and unruly embalmed princesses (and cats!) is serviceably engaging and doesn't overstay its welcome. Despite some scene-chewing here and there and an ending that's a bit abrupt, those who like full-cast adaptations with music, sound effects, and all the other radio drama bells and whistles will enjoy this lush production. However, audiophiles who prefer a lone reader using only talent and imagination to bring to life a novel's original text won't be converted by this polished but otherwise typical example of the full-cast form. J.P.M. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to the
Audio Cassette
edition.
