The Dragonbone Chair cover art

The Dragonbone Chair

Memory, Sorrow & Thorn, Book 1

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The Dragonbone Chair

By: Tad Williams
Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
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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 & Stoughton Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant  
Can’t believe I’d never heard of this series before. It’s epic fantasy at its best. It has the world-shaking forces and deep lore of LotR and the scheming and grit of GoT.

I was cautious after a review said the narration was terrible, but I thought it was perfect. I’ve listened to a lot of series and I would say this was one of the best. Each region has a different accent, and each character has a distinct voice. I actually felt it was better to listen that to have read it l.

I’ve also seen a lot of reviews saying that the beginning is too slow and boring. I really disagree, especially compared to other authors like Tolkien and GRRM. It takes its time to establish all the major players, introduce some lore, and major events takes place before we understand what they mean. I didn’t find myself bored once.

Really loved this book and I can’t wait to continue the series since I’ve heard it gets better and better.

Underrated fantasy series

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I really enjoyed the books but the narration was just awful. The main character sounded super-whiny (which doesnt come across in the paperbacks to such a degree). Binnabick talks like a poor mans yoda and the rimmersmen all talk like schwarzenneger at his dullest.

I bought the memory sorrow and thorn audible series a few years ago now and didnt make it to the end of the first book. The paperbacks were fantastic though. Recently i revisited the audible version thinking it must be just me, but no. Still as terrible as the first time.

Shockingly terrible narration

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I don't usually read this kind of epic fantasy with the world threatening evil dark lord/god kinda thing anymore but I really enjoyed this. The story can be quite dark and with some creepy horror elements but it doesn't beat you over the head with it all like some of the edgy grimdark stuff tries to do.

Dark without being grimdark

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Where does The Dragonbone Chair rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Dragonbone Chair is the first part of a huge series (120+ listening time) the Memory, Sorrow Thorn Sequence. I first read this book in the late 80's or early 90's and it is a series that I would recommend to people who liked fantasy fiction. I decided to revisit the series because I'd heard Tad Williams was writing a new sequence and I wanted to refresh my memory. Andrew Wincott's narration is absolutely fantastic, even though the majority of the book is seen through the eyes of Simon there is a vast array of characters and the narrator uses every trick to make every character no matter the sex, age or race stand out.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think the character of Simon the mooncalf kitchen boy who deems to be in the right place at the wrong time is a great creation. Tad Williams really gets across the confusion, excitement and wonder that the teenage boy feels as events spiral out of control.

Have you listened to any of Andrew Wincott’s other performances? How does this one compare?

The narration is brilliant. The only other audiobooks that I've heard narrated by Andrew Wincott are the rest of the sequence, and they are equally as good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several moments in this book but I was in tears for the last hour of the final book.

Any additional comments?

A fantastic start to a great series of books. I'll look forward to listening to the new book and then the new series when they are released.

A Visit With An Old Friend.

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Dragonbone Chair to be better than the print version?

You cannot compare the two but the narration is very very good

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dragonbone Chair?

It's an epic. So too many to mention

Which character – as performed by Andrew Wincott – was your favourite?

I thought he did all of them very well indeed, he is gifted enough to make each of them individual without going over the top with accents and intonation.

Any additional comments?

I read these books years ago and was a little dubious as to how I would perceive them after all this time but the first book was bloody good and so well read by Andrew Wincott - I sincerely hope he is busy narrating the rest of the series. Can't wait to listen to them.

A Brilliant Re-Read

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loved this book just about to start the next book the green angel hope it's as good

a great story

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I loved the story and really good reading, A great performance all round. I'll be getting the next book in the series

Very Good

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I'm a sucker for a coming of age book. and this is a coming of age book on an epic scale. I can't understand all the reviews saying it's slow paced. you can't expect a series of books on this sort of scale to be action packed from beginning to end. it's all about immense world building and the main character coming of age. which is exactly what this book does. and the ending is well worth the wait. time to start book 2.

wow what an ending

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First book finished, looking forward to another 3, more of the same, yes please, thank you Tad Williams truly 5 star , got to go now have some serious listening to do....

Great first book to an epic tale

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I have called myself a fan of fantasy for many years, so find it unbelievable that I had never even heard of Tad Williams til The Dragonbone Chair popped up on my recommendations. Now I now of him I expect to enjoy many more of his books. often cited as inspiration to authors such as Grr Martin, Robin Hobb and Patrick Rothbury, I will definitely be adding Tad Williams to this list of favourites.

the story in this first of the saga, at first glance appears bog standard, formulaic and predictable like many of the genre. And there is a Fantasy Formula to it, but the writing is so beautiful, characters heartwarming and the world so well wrought. Perhaps this book was the original and others are merely minor imitations.

Narration for this book was perfect, each character clearly distinguishable, with voices that suit their personalities and descriptions.

I'm going straight on to the next book, but if I had no credits for it, I would re-listen to this novel til next installment.

exquisite

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