The Story of King Arthur and His Knights

Howard Pyle's 1902 retelling of the English classic captures all the mystery, language, and legend of the early days of King Arthur. Pyle's collection begins with King Arthur's parents and Merlin's prophecy of his birth. It continues through the king's childhood, marriage, and creation of the Round Table. Stuart Langton offers a respectful and entertaining interpretation, with only slight characterization and light dramatization. His mastery of Old English formality transcends its intimidation factor, and the listener soon becomes blissfully unaware of all the "forsooth's" and "foreby's" throughout the text. The old stories take on a fresh vitality under Langton's skillful touch and leave us looking for the next volume. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine


If one is ready to take the plunge into intricate and antiquated language and to attend to the genealogy of each character and the minute details of each episode, then one will come away highly satisfied and steeped in knowledge of Arthur's early years. David Thorn is a masterful narrator. As his accent transports us to the British Isles, his pacing and conversational tone provide an intimate link to the characters. Thorn's characterizations are distinctive. He creates an ethereal Merlin, mystical Ladies from the Lake, an unassuming yet regal Arthur, a scheming Morgan le Fay, and a gracious Sir Pellias. From the moment Arthur is entrusted to Merlin until the quest for the white hart, the stories are riveting. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine