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Le Morte D'Arthur

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Le Morte D'Arthur

By: Sir Thomas Malory
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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About this listen

 This monumental work made the Arthurian cycle available for the first time in English. Malory took a body of legends from Celtic folklore that had been adapted into French literature, gave them an English perspective, and produced a work that ever since has had tremendous influence upon literature.

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.

(P)1997 Blackstone Audio Inc. Classics Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Arthurian Fiction Royalty

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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)
All stars
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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.

Fascinating stories, dreadful narration

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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.

Awful

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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

Very poor quality

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