The Once and Future King

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About this listen

The complete "box set" of T. H. White's epic fantasy novel of the Arthurian legend. The novel is made up of five parts: "The Sword in the Stone", "The Witch in the Wood", "The Ill-Made Knight", "The Candle in the Wind", and "The Book of Merlyn".

Merlyn instructs the Wart (Arthur) and his brother, Sir Kay, in the ways of the world. One of them will need it: the king has died, leaving no heir, and a rightful one must be found by pulling a sword from an anvil resting on a stone. In the second and third parts of the novel, Arthur has become king and the kingdom is threatened from the north. In the final two books, the ageing king faces his greatest challenge, when his own son threatens to overthrow him. In "The Book of Merlyn", Arthur's tutor Merlyn reappears and teaches him that, even in the face of apparent ruin, there is hope.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

T. H. WhiteNeville JasonNaxos AudioBooksOnce and Future King

European

Fiction

Science Fiction & Fantasy

World Literature

Classics

Fantasy

Royalty

Funny

Arthurian

European Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy World Literature Classics Fantasy Royalty Funny Arthurian

Critic reviews

AudioFile Earphones Award, 2009

"For those who have never read these five books, prepare to be surprised by their adultness, their laugh-out-loud humor and tongue-in-cheek commentary on modern life; for those who know them well, prepare to be delighted with Neville Jason's transcendent reading. The lovely timbre of his narrative voice, his rhythmic, easy pacing and host of individual characterizations transport listeners into White's weird and wonderful otherworld as quickly as Alice slipped through the looking glass. This long production is so entrancing that one wishes it would never end." (AudioFile)

Most relevant

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I do recommend this but you do have to be dedicated, it is a long "read". The story is of course interesting but TH White's discussions on everything from falconry to warfare, from costume to food, from fortifications to manners are a revelation.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not sure - Merlin probably; for the humour and his knowledge of the future. The warnings of what was to happen in nazi Germany were fascinating especially as, I believe, it was written around 1938.

Which character – as performed by Neville Jason – was your favourite?

Lancelot - he was ugly, lovable, completely moral (that should go first) and just GOOD.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - it was so long and intricate it had to be taken in bites (whilst I was ironing - I grew to love ironing).

Any additional comments?

I cried at the end and I don't know if it was the story or the fact that the story had come to an end.