The Dragonbone Chair
Memory, Sorrow & Thorn, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 3 months for £0.99/mo
The Dragonbone Chair
Buy Now for £16.99
-
Narrated by:
-
Andrew Wincott
-
By:
-
Tad Williams
About this listen
The beloved first novel in Tad Williams' classic fantasy series Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.
Kitchen-boy Simon is bored, restless and 14 years old - a dangerous combination. It seems, however, that his life has just taken a turn for the better when he's apprenticed to his castle's resident wizard. As Simon's learning to read and write under Doctor Morgenes' tutelage, forces greater than he could possible imagine are gathering: forces which will change Simon's life - and his world - forever.
Following the death of Good King John, Osten Ard is plunged into civil war as his sons battle for control of the fabled Dragonbone Chair - the country's throne as well as the symbol of its power. Simon is forced to flee the only home he has ever known, a journey which will test him beyond his worst nightmares.
With The Dragonbone Chair, Tad Williams introduced readers to the incredible fantasy world of Osten Ard and kicked off the beloved, internationally best-selling series Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.
©1988 Robert Paul ‘Tad’ Williams, published by permission of DAW Books (P)2015 Hodder & StoughtonListeners also enjoyed...
Took a while to get going, excellent once it did.
Slow start but worth the wait
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Probably not; it has not got "it". Though it has enough in the end (just) for me to get the following title.Any additional comments?
A cosy familiar fantasy story. Elves (sithi), Dwarves (trolls), and Humans co-exist. Fighting against, and for a great evil. With some dragons and giants thrown in for good measure. The story is predictable, a company of friends goes off the find sacred objects, while the world around them erupts in battle. If you like a classic fantasy that is no bad thing. My main problem was that it takes an incredible amount of time to get going. I nearly gave up several times early on from boredom. The First 2/3rds of the book were unnecessarily long, and repetitive. Giving long laboured histories of the world, and repetitive introductions to the main character. It could have done with heavy editing. Once it finally gets going it becomes much more enjoyable. Turning into the adventure story you were hoping for initially. Given my time again, I would almost be tempted to jump straight to book two. Listen to the synopsis of book one at the beginning. Getting straight into the good bits. This series is not epic like Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. But it gives and enjoyable listen on my commute.Familiar fantasy tale.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Didn't think the book could be improved on. It was
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Story - 5/5
I've been waiting for this to become available on Audible for quite some time. I had only heard great things about it, and just haven't had the time to read these in novel form.
It is traditional fantasy - but done in the right way; Tad Williams has a great imagination, and has really spent a lot of time planning this story. The world and characterisation are absolutely spot on, making you want to delve further and learn more. The best part has to be the prose though - Williams really does write well.
The only thing I think that will put people off is that it is a very slow burner. It takes a while to get going, and still takes it's time when it does. Usually, my mind will wander with these stories, but I was so engrossed in the world that I was happy to go into the detail this time around. Maybe this will be the same for others.
I look forward to the next one.
Performance - 4/5
Andrew Wincott did quite a good job. Not my favourite author, as I think he played too much on the coming-of-age main character, making him out to be a character from a young adult novel which this is definitely not. Everything else was spot on though. His voice acting was distinct, and he performed the story very well.
Overall - 4.5/5
Another great trilogy found
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Fantastic
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.