Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Le Morte D'Arthur
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 32 hrs and 53 mins
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
£0.00 for first 30 days
Buy Now for £23.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
The story begins with King Uther Pendragon's use of enchantment to lay with Igraine, Duchess of Cornwall. Arthur is conceived and taken away in secret, returning as a young man to claim the throne by pulling the sword Excalibur from the stone. In retelling the story of Arthur's rule of Britain, Malory intertwines the romances of Guinevere and Launcelot, Tristram and Isolde, and Launcelot and Elaine. Sir Galahad's appearance at Camelot begins the quest for the Holy Grail. Finally, Camelot is brought down by the conflict between King Arthur and his natural son, Mordred.
Critic reviews
"The most authoritative version of the legend in the English tradition." (The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature)
"Le Morte d'Arthur remains an enchanted sea for the reader to swim about in, delighting at the random beauties of 15th-century prose." (Robert Graves)
What listeners say about Le Morte D'Arthur
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 06-06-13
Fascinating stories, dreadful narration
One of those books I'd always wanted to read but never got around to, so the chance to listen to it whilst commuting was too good to miss. The stories are often odd, sometimes amusing and regularly exciting. They also give a fascinating glimpse into the way the mediaeval mind worked.
However, I so nearly asked for a refund as the narration is quite simply diabolical. Frederick Davidson has a posh old Etonian-style accent and he enunciates well with no mistakes, but his delivery of the prose is as the dryest sermon you ever heard from some stuffy old vicar who has long since given up trying to win any new souls. There are no changes of mood, no excitement in the heat of battle, no sorrow or love, just stoic indifference (dearly beloved, blah, blah, blah). The dialogue is even worse as he changes hiis voice by moving back from the microphone, looking down his nose and expressing himself like a constipated wombat. Merlin, the kings, the knights of the round table and poor farmers alike are all afflicted with this most unnatural voice. Only Arthur himself (generally) manages to avoid the wombat treatment but instead sounds entirely effete.
In short, I thoroughly recommend the book, but not this version.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ernest
- 05-06-16
Awful
This was worse than a bad toothache I feel that I wasted my credit. The narration was dismal. The writing felt like it was written by a twelve year old. Repetition repetition repetition. Love Arthurian legend but this could put me off forever. Could not recommend it in any way. I'm so sad.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rich
- 16-06-14
Very poor quality
If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?
The quality of the book is far below par it sounds like it's been recorded from a tape via the world worst mic.
Has Le Morte D'Arthur put you off other books in this genre?
No I still like the genre
How could the performance have been better?
Better quality recording
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
Disappointed by this
Any additional comments?
I would remove it until you manage to get a recording of better quality
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
7 people found this helpful