The Crystal Cave cover art

The Crystal Cave

Arthurian Saga, Book 1

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The Crystal Cave

By: Mary Stewart
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
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About this listen

The spellbinding story of Merlin's rise to power.

This is what happened. I saw it, and it is a true tale.

So begins the story of Merlin, born the illegitimate son of a Welsh princess in fifth-century Britain, a world ravaged by war. Small and neglected, with his mother unwilling to reveal his father's identity, Merlin must disguise his intelligence - and hide his occasional ability to know things before they happen - in order to keep himself safe.

One beautiful afternoon, while exploring the countryside near his home, Merlin stumbles across a cave filled with books and papers and hiding a room lined with crystals. It is the home of Galapas, who becomes Merlin's tutor and friend, and who teaches Merlin to understand the world around him...and to harness the power of the crystal cave to see the future.

Merlin will rise to power and enter history - and legend - as advisor to King Arthur. But all stories must begin somewhere. And this is his.

The Crystal Cave is the first of Mary Stewart's brilliant Arthurian Saga, telling the story of King Arthur from the perspective of the extraordinary, mysterious Merlin.

©1970 Mary Stewart (P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Fantasy Fiction Historical Fiction Medieval Arthurian Royalty Magic Middle Ages

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Critic reviews

"Vivid, enthralling, absolutely first-class." (Daily Mail)
All stars
Most relevant
I was so excited to see these books released as they're old favourites. But the reader, while very competent, has a colourless and cold style that made it a very unengaging read. Unlikely to get the rest of the series.

Competent but uninspiring reader

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I was expecting the story to be more fantastical and mythological but the mix of math and science with the bits of magic was a great blend which culminated to a great backend and ending. Listening to the legend of Merlin chapter made the whole story even better, hearing the differences between the events and how they were told was really funny.

Great Introduction

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What a book ! I first remember reading this in the early 1970s, and was very impressed. It started an interest in the dark ages and the legendary Merlin, which I still retain.
A lot of research went into this book - it is so well written and developed. I find it very difficult to find anything I didn't like about it. And what can be said about the narrator ? He was absolutely superb !!!

Great

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Great story, but remember that none of it is historical fact and is only very losely based on myth and legend. However, that being said, this certainly doesnt detract from the success of ghe novel.
Mary Stewart skillfully uses her own creative arts and imagination to create characters who are believable and situations which are credible.
A gripping read.

imaginatively woven story

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So glad I read this as I knew little about Merlins story from childhood . Now the Arthurian stories mean so much more.

Fascinating and Enchanting

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