Book info

• Title
• Author Graham Harvey
• Year
• Genres

Thoughts

For a new fan of the Archers, these books are invaluable. I read the 2009 version and was instantly caught up on the characters I was just getting to know. It’s a quick start guide for anyone who wants the important back story of each villager, but without it being too detailed. It also brings you up to speed on recent events, so that if you’re diving into the soap after some time off, you’ll be able to catch up what you’ve missed.

For someone who listens to the podcast religiously, if in an untimely fashion, then it’s less useful. I read it for fun, and it took about an hour, so I didn’t have to invest too much in it. What I do love is the collector’s nature of such an item. I bought the 2009 one in physical format, and I think it may now be sitting on my dad’s desk. This 2011 version I bought for the Kindle, with a pre-order in for 2012. It’s probably bordering on obsessive, but I’m a bit of a hoarder, and these will no doubt be great to look back on in the future. (As will my monthly blog posts about The Archers, too!)

Actually reading this edition now was a bit odd because there are characters who have left, some have passed away, and the twists and turns that you know are coming are just starting to be seeded. It’s an interesting highlight to see how much does actually go on in Ambridge, even though day by day it seems as though nothing is happening.

Rating: Unrated